Quick Thoughts on the Election

Below is an edited email I shared with Box employees this morning. I realize that many other startups and companies are faced with similar questions and emotions today, so I’m sharing it publicly.

Hey Boxers:

I wanted to briefly share a few thoughts on the U.S. election result and process (as if you needed more on the topic right now).

Our company has been built on the principle of bringing together people from all walks of life to do amazing work by creating an environment where we trust each other, work collaboratively, and have a deep respect for one another.

It’s not always apparent day-to-day to all of us, but many groups have been through an emotional roller coaster of toxic rhetoric and behaviors throughout this campaign; it’s been taxing, stressful and more. For many, the fear and concerns as a result of this election won’t go away quickly or easily. Much of the work that President Obama and other leaders have pushed through on critically important social issues over the past few years has been challenged throughout this campaign cycle. This is scary.

I’m hopeful that over the coming weeks and months we’ll start to see a very different style from the President-elect. Some of the ideas that were proposed in this campaign cycle would be disastrous if put into action, and I’m confident they will not come to pass.

At Box, we are strongly committed to our values of openness and inclusion and will do everything to fight for these principles going forward. We’ll continue to build an insanely strong culture that reflects our diversity as an organization, and create an environment where everyone can thrive and be successful. Importantly, it takes each and every Boxer to help make sure this happens.

Rest assured that in this upcoming administration, we’ll be a major advocate for all issues that affect our employees and our values as a company (LGBTQ rights, fair immigration policies, racial and gender equality, etc.), as well as continue to drive toward a stronger partnership with the government on important topics for driving an innovation economy (cyber-security, STEM education, modernizing regulation, etc.).

This election cycle has illuminated many important issues that our country must start to confront and we’ll have to find ways to productively engage on these topics as a nation. We have a lot of work to do now, but I’m still very optimistic for America’s future.

Onward and upward.

-Aaron