Authentic leaders are allies ?? All Pride, No Ego Newsletter #11

Hello beautiful people!

If you’ve been following along on my All Pride, No Ego journey, I am sure you’ve picked up on a few values that are core to who I am as a person and as a leader.

Authentic leadership. Kindness. Allyship.

Today, I’m sharing a little about how all three of those themes converge and align… in daily life and in the workplace.

? One Big Thing: Authentic leaders are allies

While on tour for my book, I’ve been happily surprised by how often folks ask me to sign a book for their trans kid, relative or friend.

I of course haven’t lived the trans experience, but they feel that my messages resonate across identities.

They share deeply personal stories with me, even when we’ve only just met. They ask how they can be a better ally for trans people in their lives.

It reminds me how trans visibility is better than ever… but the backlash is also worse than ever.

It’s up to all of us to speak up for trans people in our own lives, in our workplaces, in our school districts… and in society at large.

It’s actually not that hard to be an ally. The LGBTQ+ community is just asking you to recognize us. Just say, I see you, I want to help. How can I help?

It starts with leading with authenticity.

One of my favorite definitions of authenticity comes from researcher, speaker, and author Brené Brown:

“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.”

I talk a lot about authenticity in the workplace, because the benefits can be so clearly tracked and defined there.

Authentic leadership is about creating a work environment where your team feels safe to be themselves. Data show that this simple space-making leads to high performance, time and again.

But why?

A culture of authenticity, of having room to be ourselves, creates psychological safety at work.

An employee who feels safe is more likely to feel empowered to take smart risks in their work, ideas, pitches, and projects.

This leads to more innovation, a more diverse range of ideas and improved performance at all levels.

Authentic leaders are allies, plain and simple. Embracing who you are, and enabling your team to do the same, leads to safety, inclusion and innovation.

Not sure where to get started? Consider my PALS method:

• Provide your queer colleagues with opportunities, suggestions, and encouragement
• Advocate for basic human rights with kindness, compassion and understanding
• Listen and learn from your queer colleagues’ stories and experiences
• Support without judgment, fear, or misinformation. Ask questions. Seek truth.

When we’re all given the grace and space to be who we are, the opportunities are limitless.

?? Leader Spotlight: Adam Powell and Dr. Eric Cervini (ShopQueer.co)

"May we leave our corner of the world better than we found it."

Personally, Adam and Eric have two of my biggest supporters during this book tour. They came out to LA with their ?? Rainbow Book Bus ?? to sell copies of All Pride, No Ego!

Follow them on social media:

• Follow Adam on Instagram
• Follow Eric on Instagram

?? Philanthropy Spotlight: LA LGBT Center

The Los Angeles LGBT Center is on a mission to create a world where LGBTQ+ people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society. Their work in Southern California is VITAL and I was so happy to host my event with them last week!

The Center provides services for the LGBTQ+ community, as well as programming, jobs training, research, and events. Next time you're in LA, be sure to stop by!

?? What I'm Loving

• A good move in correcting history’s wrongs: The Pentagon launched outreach to correct records of LGBTQ+ troops removed from military under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Read more.
• Help raise awareness during Banned Books Week (Oct. 1 - 7) with “Liberty Dies Where Books Are Banned” gear from BooksWares . Now more than ever, we risk losing important voices and diversity of choice in what our youth can access and read. Go shopping for the cause here.
• myGwork, the largest global LGBTQ+ talent platform, is hosting its WorkFair 2023 . The event will feature inclusive employer jobs worldwide for students and recent graduates, as well as career guidance workshops and webinars. Sign up here.

? What's Worth Fighting For

• Many workers are leaving states that pass anti-LGBTQ+ laws. The talent drain is real for states that refuse to treat LGBTQ+ people as equals. Nearly 1 in 4 LGBTQ+ workers across the U.S. have moved to a more inclusive city because of recently passed anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Read more about the trend.
• Furthermore… A hoping 77% of LGBTQ+ employees say they’re reluctant to share parts of their identity at work. Read more

????? Read All Pride, No Ego. Out Now!

Love the book?? It would mean so much if you would leave a review .

Last thing... I'd love to hear from you! What resonated with you from his newsletter? How will you try to live and lead more authentically this week? What can I do to support?

Until next time...

Jim