Todd Sears: Driving Equality in the Workplace | SALT Talks #112

TL;DR

Todd Sears, founder and CEO of Out Leadership, discusses how businesses can drive LGBTQ+ equality and the importance of visibility and inclusion.

Transcript

hello everyone and welcome back to salt talks my name is joe aletto and i'm the production manager of salt which is a global thought leadership forum and networking platform encompassing finance technology and geopolitics sawtalks is series of digital interviews with the world's foremost investors creators and thinkers and just as we do at our glob... Read More

Key Insights

• ✊ Businesses have the power to drive LGBTQ+ equality by leveraging their economic influence and advocating for change.
• 🌍 LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion are essential in promoting equality in the corporate world.
• 🤎 The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted socioeconomic disparities, with black and brown communities being disproportionately affected.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can businesses leverage their economic power to advocate for LGBTQ+ equality?

Businesses have the ability to create change by using their influence and resources to support LGBTQ+ rights, such as endorsing policies against discrimination and leveraging their platform to raise awareness.

Q: How does Out Leadership promote LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion?

Out Leadership organizes summits, talent initiatives, and research to drive conversations about LGBTQ+ inclusion in the corporate world. They also encourage businesses to include LGBTQ+ representation in their board diversity policies.

Q: How does working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic impact LGBTQ+ individuals?

While LGBTQ+ individuals may not be disproportionately affected by COVID-19, the pandemic has highlighted socioeconomic disparities that impact minority communities, including black and brown individuals. Remote work has also humanized individuals by revealing their personal lives, which can foster more authentic connections.

Q: How can individuals start or increase change within their firms for LGBTQ+ inclusion?

Individuals can advocate for change by encouraging their companies to join organizations like Out Leadership and implementing policies that support LGBTQ+ inclusion. Being a visible and supportive ally can also create a more inclusive workplace culture.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Todd Sears shares his personal journey of coming out and the impact of seeing LGBTQ+ representation in the media.

• He explains how businesses can use their economic power to advocate for equality and drive positive change.

• Out Leadership works to ensure LGBTQ+ diversity is central to conversations about board representation and policy, and promotes the importance of allyship.