Publisher
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Place of Publication
Chattanooga (Tenn.)
Abstract
With the increasing emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at work, it is imperative to learn about the experiences of LGBTQ+ leaders, about which there is still a dearth of research. Most of the existing literature has focused on the challenges members of the LGBTQ+ community face at work. In this study, we wanted to identify both the positive aspects of being an LGBTQ+ leader and the benefits brought to the workplace by individuals that hold both leadership positions and an LGBTQ+ identity. This study was a part of a larger project examining the experiences of LGBTQ+ leaders. We conducted 51 qualitative interviews with individuals who self-identified as belonging to the LGBTQ+ community as well as holding leadership positions. The goal of the interviews was to gain a sense of participants’ overall experience at work, focusing on the interaction of their identity and their leadership roles as well as emphasizing the advantages they experience. The interviews were qualitatively analyzed and coded into themes. Using thematic analysis, we were able to identify patterns that emerged addressing the advantages of holding a leadership position as an LGBTQ+ individual. Though there were several common barriers identified, many of the participants had overwhelmingly positive experiences at work; these positive experiences were the focus of our analysis. Most interestingly, many of the positive themes identified focused on building and supporting an environment that is inclusive of all people, not only members of the LGBTQ+ community. Some of these themes were the ability to promote change, greater emotional intelligence and empathy, strengthened interpersonal and advocacy skills, and the opportunity to be a role model and provide and receive social support. Most of the interviewees stated their identity as an LGBTQ+ individual makes them more accepting of others and better able to support and advocate for all people from underrepresented groups. Many workplace DEI initiatives focus on improving representation and providing leadership opportunities, so understanding the benefits that LGBTQ+ leaders inherently bring to the role might help in furthering that cause. Additionally, LGBTQ+ leaders’ ability to foster connectedness in the workplace owing to their strengthened skills of social support, advocacy, and forming interpersonal relationships underscores the importance of promoting LGBTQ+ leadership.
Date
10-16-2021
Subject
Industrial and organizational psychology
Document Type
posters
Language
English
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Included in
LGBTQ+ Leadership: Benefits of Breaking Boundaries in the Workplace
With the increasing emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at work, it is imperative to learn about the experiences of LGBTQ+ leaders, about which there is still a dearth of research. Most of the existing literature has focused on the challenges members of the LGBTQ+ community face at work. In this study, we wanted to identify both the positive aspects of being an LGBTQ+ leader and the benefits brought to the workplace by individuals that hold both leadership positions and an LGBTQ+ identity. This study was a part of a larger project examining the experiences of LGBTQ+ leaders. We conducted 51 qualitative interviews with individuals who self-identified as belonging to the LGBTQ+ community as well as holding leadership positions. The goal of the interviews was to gain a sense of participants’ overall experience at work, focusing on the interaction of their identity and their leadership roles as well as emphasizing the advantages they experience. The interviews were qualitatively analyzed and coded into themes. Using thematic analysis, we were able to identify patterns that emerged addressing the advantages of holding a leadership position as an LGBTQ+ individual. Though there were several common barriers identified, many of the participants had overwhelmingly positive experiences at work; these positive experiences were the focus of our analysis. Most interestingly, many of the positive themes identified focused on building and supporting an environment that is inclusive of all people, not only members of the LGBTQ+ community. Some of these themes were the ability to promote change, greater emotional intelligence and empathy, strengthened interpersonal and advocacy skills, and the opportunity to be a role model and provide and receive social support. Most of the interviewees stated their identity as an LGBTQ+ individual makes them more accepting of others and better able to support and advocate for all people from underrepresented groups. Many workplace DEI initiatives focus on improving representation and providing leadership opportunities, so understanding the benefits that LGBTQ+ leaders inherently bring to the role might help in furthering that cause. Additionally, LGBTQ+ leaders’ ability to foster connectedness in the workplace owing to their strengthened skills of social support, advocacy, and forming interpersonal relationships underscores the importance of promoting LGBTQ+ leadership.
Department
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Dept. of Psychology