LGBTQ Leadership Career Resources

LGBTQ+ Leadership Resources for Organizations

Whether you’re looking to better your own individual knowledge on LBGTQ+ issues, lead a team with more inclusivity, lead ERG programs, or help your organization support LGBTQ+ rights as leaders, team members, and allies — there are great resources to help.

So, we’ve compiled various LGBTQ+ resources we often use with the clients that inspire us and help them find clarity to move forward with inclusion. The curated resources below come from the thought leaders we integrate into our own work.

Please also share and reach out if you have any suggested resources to add. We are also here when you’re ready to help guide you on your journey!

Leadership Tools

ASSESSMENTS

Glassdoor’s Workplace Guide for LGBTQ Professionals

Glassdoor, a popular job search site, created their first-ever guide for LGBTQ professionals to succeed in the workplace.

Transgender Inclusion in the Workplace: A Toolkit for Employers

This toolkit from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation provides practical guidance in creating a more inclusive workplace for transgender and gender non-conforming employees.

Guide to Understanding Gender Identity and Pronouns

NPR created this guide to understanding pronouns — a helpful tool for individuals and leaders alike

Articles for Organizations and Individuals

Survey: What Diversity & Inclusion Policies Do Employees Really Want?

This HBR article recaps a survey of 16,000 employees around the world examining the most popular organizational policies promoting DEI from an employee perspective.

The Corporate Equality Index

This report from the HRC rates workplaces on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Equality.

11 Ways to Make Work More Inclusive for LGBTQ Team Members

The Muse covers this topic with actionable tips for employees and leaders, citing an HRC report that states 46% of LGBTQ workers say they aren’t out at work.

The Most Effective LGBT Leaders Do These 3 Things Habitually

David and John, known as The Debt Free Guys, share this article on Forbes laying out positive qualities of top LGBTQ+ leaders. The Debt Free Guys help organizations and individuals with skills to live fabulously and better manage finances.

Why More Businesses are Becoming More Vocal in Support of LGBTQ+ Issues

This HBR article showcases a case study on the intersection of business and social issues as companies become more likely to speak up about LGBTQ rights.

Tips for Starting an Employee Resource Group

In this article, HRC lays out tips for organizations looking to create ERGs to support team members, such as Pride & LGBTQ+ ERGs.

Videos, TED Talks, and Podcasts

TED Talk: Jackson Bird - How to talk (and listen) to transgender people

TED TALK

6 Minutes – In this TED Talk, Jackson Bird helps those who may be unsure about what to say or are scared to ask questions about trans issues. This funny, frank talk includes helpful conversation for leaders and individuals alike.

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The Ally Within by John Dehlin, Ph.D.

TED TALK

15 Minutes – This is actually a transcription of a TEDxUSU talk courtesy of Encircle, a non-profit organization with the mission to bring the family and community together to enable our LGBTQ+ youth to thrive. Encircle has other resources to support your LGBTQ+ colleagues and others

Watch Now

Books

Better Allies: Everyday Actions to Create Inclusive, Engaging Workplaces

by Karen Caitlin

Inclusion: Diversity, The New Workplace & The Will To Change

by Jennifer Brown

Leadership Programs & Courses

Stanford's LGBTQ Executive Leadership Program

This program for mid- to senior-level LGBTQ executives is designed to help you strengthen your influence, build a valuable network, and develop new models and mindsets for innovation using design thinking.

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Dare to Lead Program

Michelle Poole is a certified executive coach, co-founder, and owner of Coaching 4 Good as well as both a Certified Dare to Lead™ and Daring Greatly™ facilitator. Dive in with a program for your team or sign up to join a virtual session coming soon.

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Individual Leadership Development

You can work with a coach 1:1 to build your own executive leadership skills, build a foundation for leadership, or even transform your leadership skills. Start with a free initial consultation with a Leadership Coach to discuss your personal leadership goals.

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Great Examples of LGBTQ+ ERGs

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) — also sometimes called Business Partnering Groups or Team Member Networks — can be a powerful step in providing visibility to LGBTQ+ employees and drive support for inclusive initiatives. Learning from other organizations is a great way to identify ways to provide support and awareness of LGBTQ+ issues as well as lift up allies. Some top organizations with ERGs that act as great examples of this include: