Celebrating With Pride
June 28, 2022
Celebrating With Pride
As Pride Month comes to a close, I have decided to speak about my experiences as an openly gay executive. I have been fortunate enough to work with a leadership team that both supports and encourages me to be my whole self in the workplace – something I have at times struggled with in a professional setting. This support and encouragement helped me find my voice. The most important takeaway I can share with you is that your values inform your management style, and those values start at the top of any organization.
I started my career at BCforward as an entry-level team member. Key to my professional development has been the various mentors I have worked with over the years. From my first manager to the CEO, I have noticed a consistent pattern – openness to new ideas and acceptance of those with the ideas. Without encouragement to express my ideas from my first manager, I would not have found my voice. I would not have used that voice to share my opinions or point out when there was a better way to do something. The expectation of professional discourse and idea-building led to my first and second promotions. As I continued to move up the corporate ladder, I noticed that this same pattern continued with each new mentor. Now that I report directly to senior leadership, I can see why. Our CEO encourages discourse among a diverse group of leaders. He seeks out opinions with unique perspectives and when he could see that I was struggling as a new leader he personally encouraged me to be my whole self in the workplace.?The more I have advanced the more I have come to understand how important our values are to our management style. This might seem like a simple pattern to some but to an openly gay man it was the most important part of finding my voice. It’s the reason I help others find their voice.?Diversity, inclusion, and pride all start at the top.
I want to encourage both new and experienced leaders to help their team members find their voice and to be their whole selves in the workplace. It will ensure that your future leaders share and encourage these values. I am going to conclude this reflection with one of my favorite quotes from Jason Collins, "Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it's a good place to start."
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With Pride and Sincerity,?
Matthew Willman
Director, Global Onboarding
PMO Practice Director
2 年Matthew Willman, thanks for sharing your story. It is great to read and learn about your journey. As colleagues, it is an absolute pleasure to partner with you and your team. Respectfully to "Gary D.", his post is an example of the education that still needs to occur in this country. Every month can be Pride month for a long time before we reach the level of compassion and understanding needed. Your concluding quote says it all. ??
Recruiter/Administrative Assistant/Instructional Assistant
2 年Matt is an amazing professional with a great work ethic. His sense of humor and determination is very inspiring. I am so glad I had the opportunity to work with him.
Business Head - India @ BCforward | P&L, Growth, Strategy
2 年So well said Matthew Willman