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Diversity and inclusiveness are core to who we are and how we work at EY. We are collectively committed to fostering an environment where all differences are valued, practices are equitable and everyone experiences a sense of belonging – where people are inspired to team and lead inclusively in their interactions every day.
Sam Barrett, a Tax Associate Partner at Ernst & Young Tax Consultants Sdn Bhd in Malaysia is part of the EY Operating Model Effectiveness team responsible for the ASEAN market and the Technology, Media & Entertainment, and Telecommunications (TMT) sector clients across Asia-Pacific. Hailing from the UK, he has made Kuala Lumpur his home since 2018, together with his small family. Read on to find out Sam’s experience of working with diverse and inclusive teams at EY in Malaysia.
Personal impression of Malaysia’s diverse cultures
I had visited Malaysia a few times before moving here and enjoyed it both personally and professionally. Prior to joining EY, I had worked in Malaysia for a tech company, so I was already aware of the diverse cultures in Malaysia. I found everybody here very welcoming and willing to spend time to educate me in more depth on the cultures and way of doing business here.
I have now spent most of my working life outside the UK, so I think I am very open and adaptive to new environments. I have always been inquisitive, understanding and appreciative of being in new countries and working in new cultures, so I haven’t found the transition difficult!
The experience of immersing in the diverse cultures of EY people in Malaysia
I believe that immersing oneself in new cultures and countries with a wide variety of people from different backgrounds allows us to better understand and appreciate other people’s backgrounds, opinions and actions. This awareness and open-minded approach have allowed my family and me to really enjoy and embrace our life abroad.
To me, teams that are culturally diverse and inclusive such as the ones we have in EY really add value to problem-solving, as they bring different approaches and viewpoints, all of which add to better performance and outcomes. I also seek to form teams with different skillsets and from different backgrounds so that we can all learn from each other and become better human beings and more rounded professionals. I am very fortunate as people in EY – from associates to leaders - were all exceptionally supportive and helpful when I first arrived and during my transition. The inclusive culture among colleagues across service lines has certainly added to the overall positive experience here!
Upholding the values of diversity and inclusiveness at EY
Differences at work can sometimes be challenging to navigate, especially for someone who originated from a foreign country. However, I appreciate the support I have received since I joined EY. At EY, we’re always empowering each other to understand and adopt an inclusive environment to foster a sense of belonging in order to build a culture where people are valued and supported for their uniqueness and for who they are. It’s a great way to bring EY values to life in our teams and better empower an exceptional EY experience for ourselves and for others.
Summary
In advancing the EY diversity and inclusiveness agenda, we want our people to feel empowered by understanding that all differences matter. It is important to leverage differences for better business results and creating an environment where all people feel a sense of belonging and are valued.
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