In May this year, Jake Daniels became the 1st male UK player in the professional football league to come out since 1990. Jake is 17 years old and plays for Blackpool FC.
As the England men's team manager Gareth Southgate put it: "Everybody is admiring the bravery of someone so young taking that step."
In June this year, the UK celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride Month, marking 50 years since the first UK Pride March in 1972. This is of course an occasion for inclusive organisations to celebrate difference and diversity. It is also an opportunity to put action behind the words; to do more to effect sustainable inclusion.
In July this year, our Learning Lab aims to honour and generate action from these momentous events.
What to Expect:
In this Learning Lab we will explore:
- Why visible role models within the workplace are so important.
- How authenticity improves performance.
- Deloitte’s Six Traits of Inclusive Leadership; apply the model to Jake Daniel’s experience.
We will also:
- Consider what might have happened behind scenes at Blackpool FC to facilitate and support Jake both before he came out, and afterwards.
- Reflect - as inclusive leaders - on the actions we can take, building from this potential watershed moment?
- The session will be of keen interest - not only to influencers in sport - but everyone developing confidence in holding LGBTQ+ and other inclusive conversations at work.
Session Lead:
Toby Sawyer is a brave and authentic driving force behind many of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives. He has extensive experience working globally, bringing this perspective both to his work and in his interactions with delegates.
He is passionate about the power of conscious inclusion and inclusive leadership; and realistic about the real effort required in moving towards an equitable workplace. As with all sessions facilitated by Toby, this Lab will leave you feeling informed, empowered and inspired.