It's July 1st and Pride Month is over for another year. As rainbows are removed from brands in a flurry, it's the day when we can all demonstrate how we support our friends, family, colleagues and clients when the Pride flag is not flying so visibly.
I was interested to read a recent Randstad study on the experiences of LGBTQI+ people in the workplace, which unsurprisingly finds that although much progress has been made, there's still more to be done to enable people to be themselves at work.
Read that again. There are people who cannot simply be themselves at work. This isn't just about discrimination.
If you felt unable to be your authentic self, what would the impact be on your confidence, sense of belonging and ability to form relationships with your team? How might that affect your career prospects and ambition? What perspectives, ideas and challenges are you not sharing, that could be inhibiting growth for the business?
"OK Adam, what can I do?"
First, read that Randstad study. I'll pop a link in the comments.
Second, because you have good intentions but might not get around to reading it, here are 3 quick take-aways from my experience:
🏳️🌈1. Commit to embracing diversity and inclusion, validate that it's working, and tell people about it
As a leader, think about what your team needs for everyone to be their best selves. Make space for everyone by resisting assumptions; by inviting feedback about how to recognise, respect and support - and acting on it consistently; by being alert to words, deeds and aspects of team or company culture that may be exclusionary and damaging to morale, and challenging them.
Before I joined Artifax Software my primary anxiety was whether it would be acceptable to be authentically me at work, or whether it would be easier to hide parts of my life or personality. I chose well and thrived. When we were acquired by Volaris Group that same anxiety returned, and it was such a relief when I found my perspective wasn't just acknowledged, it was welcomed and my ideas actioned and encouraged. 🥰
Attract and retain talent by removing the risk that they cannot be themselves at work.
🏳️🌈2. Be a role model
As an LGBTQI+ leader, be your authentic self. Blaze that trail. Challenge. Educate. Most of all, be visible. The phrase "If you can't see it, you can't be it" isn't exactly true, but it's nevertheless vital everyone can see their own credible, not just aspirational, potential.
🏳️🌈3. Acknowledge what you might take for granted
Make space for everyone in your definition of "normal". At Artifax, and Volaris, I can talk about my husband without receiving as much as a pause or raised eyebrow in return. My normal is part of their normal, and that's affirming and empowering. I really value that acceptance.
The best way to grow your business is to grow your people. The photo is of me at work in an ironic t-shirt that says "Butch" shortly after joining Artifax in 2001. I stayed and I grew!