The Power of an LGBTQ+ Ally

During the expert session, Ben Ritchie engages the audience through various means, including a Q&A session, live demonstrations using the Mentimeter app for interactive exercises, and encouraging participants to share their ideas and commitments to creating a more inclusive workplace for LGBTQ+ individuals. The discussion covers topics like self-awareness, effective communication, the importance of learning about the community, and showing support through everyday acts. Audience members ask questions on topics such as handling disagreements within the community and respecting privacy at work. Ben provides valuable insights and encourages open conversations to promote understanding, acceptance, and support for all members of the LGBTQ+ community.
 

• Cultivating Self-Awareness: Recognize your biases and limitations to create a more inclusive workplace for LGBTQ+ individuals. Accepting your feelings and educating yourself helps build empathy and understanding.
• Effective Communication with the UHT Model: Use the Understand, Hierarchy, and Transform model when discussing sensitive topics related to LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Acknowledge perspectives, explain yours, and offer a solution for an inclusive and respectful conversation.
• Willingness to Learn and Support Everyday Acts: Stay informed about the LGBTQ+ community and its various identities. Engage in small acts of support like wearing visible symbols, sharing resources, and speaking up against discrimination.

In this expert session, Ben Ritchie discusses the significance of self-awareness, understanding, visibility, learning, and support in creating an inclusive workplace for individuals within the LGBTQ+ community. Ben begins by highlighting the importance of self-awareness in accepting our feelings, biases, and limitations, which enables us to respond appropriately when faced with challenging situations.

 

He introduces the UHT model—Understanding, Honoring, and Transforming communication—as a means to communicate effectively and respectfully about sensitive topics within the workplace. By acknowledging others' perspectives, explaining our own, and providing solutions, we can create an inclusive environment where all individuals feel valued and heard.

 

Ben emphasizes the importance of being open to learning about various identities, terminology, and challenges faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community through literature, media, and engagement with colleagues. He encourages participants to show their support for their colleagues by wearing visible symbols of solidarity, introducing themselves using preferred pronouns, and fostering a welcoming environment where individuals feel safe to express their identities.

 

He also stresses the importance of engaging in everyday acts of support, such as sharing educational resources or speaking up when needed, as essential aspects of making workplaces more inclusive for the LGBTQ+ community. Ben discusses the significance of effectively supporting Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) by offering ideas, sharing resources, and promoting an inclusive environment.

 

When addressing disagreements within the LGBTQ+ community regarding allyship, Ben suggests focusing on creating an inclusive environment and providing opportunities for learning and engagement rather than expecting uniform agreement. Recognizing the unique needs and experiences of each person within the community is crucial in fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace.

 

Ben acknowledges that privacy is essential but emphasizes that discussions about personal lives can help build relationships and create supportive work environments. He encourages participants to be open-minded when colleagues share their experiences and to use these conversations as learning opportunities to broaden perspectives.

 

For those dealing with unwanted questioning after coming out, Ben advises focusing on building confidence in oneself and finding allies who will support them. He suggests responding honestly and calmly to questions without feeling the need to justify or prove one's identity.

 

The expert session concludes with a reminder from Ben about the importance of using gender-neutral language and supporting each other as allies. He emphasizes that being a supportive ally doesn't require extensive knowledge or identification with the community but rather an openness to learn, embrace differences, and create a more inclusive workplace for all individuals.
 

The Importance of Cognitive Diversity

While diversity is a priority for many organizations, Ben delves deeper into the concept, specifically focusing on cognitive diversity. Organizational challenges are plenty, such as promoting workplace equity, fostering inclusivity, building sustainable businesses, and adapting to evolving employee work-life balances. Given these challenges, there is a growing need for thought solutions, and encouraging cognitive diversity among employees becomes crucial.