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Business has a role in driving progress for LGBT people I hope Tim Cook has set an example that other business leaders will follow
(about 17 hours later)
By deciding publicly to disclose his sexuality, Tim Cook will accelerate change in the corporate world. When you become chief executive of a multinational, you become a public figure, and you have the power to demonstrate that being LGBT need not get in the way of success. Cook has done just that.By deciding publicly to disclose his sexuality, Tim Cook will accelerate change in the corporate world. When you become chief executive of a multinational, you become a public figure, and you have the power to demonstrate that being LGBT need not get in the way of success. Cook has done just that.
When writing my book The Glass Closet, I spent a great deal of time talking to people who had come out in a good way, and people who had come out in a bad way. I collected their stories so that they could serve as role models to inspire others to come out when it is safe so to do.When writing my book The Glass Closet, I spent a great deal of time talking to people who had come out in a good way, and people who had come out in a bad way. I collected their stories so that they could serve as role models to inspire others to come out when it is safe so to do.
As the leader of one of the world’s largest and most respected corporations, Tim Cook has enormous power as a role model. His openness sends an important signal around the world. Apple is a huge global brand and it is run by an out man, who is the first out gay chief executive in the S&P 500.As the leader of one of the world’s largest and most respected corporations, Tim Cook has enormous power as a role model. His openness sends an important signal around the world. Apple is a huge global brand and it is run by an out man, who is the first out gay chief executive in the S&P 500.
It is a conundrum: why aren’t there more openly gay chief executives? It was one of the reasons I wrote my book. Is it because people are scared? Scared of governments, scared of the reaction of customers, scared of the effect on their career? Those were my fears, but they turned out to be false.It is a conundrum: why aren’t there more openly gay chief executives? It was one of the reasons I wrote my book. Is it because people are scared? Scared of governments, scared of the reaction of customers, scared of the effect on their career? Those were my fears, but they turned out to be false.
I hope that Tim Cook has set an example that other leaders will follow. If there are more openly gay chief executives and senior leaders in business, it will give other people the confidence to come out, and to be themselves at work. That is good not only for them, but also for their employers, which will benefit from greater employee engagement and productivity.I hope that Tim Cook has set an example that other leaders will follow. If there are more openly gay chief executives and senior leaders in business, it will give other people the confidence to come out, and to be themselves at work. That is good not only for them, but also for their employers, which will benefit from greater employee engagement and productivity.
Cook’s coming out is different to my own. He has demonstrated, while chief executive of one of the world’s biggest companies, which is performing strongly, that it is possible to do it on your own terms.Cook’s coming out is different to my own. He has demonstrated, while chief executive of one of the world’s biggest companies, which is performing strongly, that it is possible to do it on your own terms.
LGBT role models are decidedly lacking in the corporate world, which has been conservative. But this world structures our personal and professional lives. It still needs to become more open, more accepting and more inclusive.LGBT role models are decidedly lacking in the corporate world, which has been conservative. But this world structures our personal and professional lives. It still needs to become more open, more accepting and more inclusive.
Today’s news is significant, but the job is far from done, not least in the 77 countries where it is a criminal or capital offence to be gay. There is also more to do in countries like the UK, where the experiences of LGBT people in London, for example, remain a world away from the experiences of those in many other parts of the country.Today’s news is significant, but the job is far from done, not least in the 77 countries where it is a criminal or capital offence to be gay. There is also more to do in countries like the UK, where the experiences of LGBT people in London, for example, remain a world away from the experiences of those in many other parts of the country.
It is the responsibility of business leaders to drive progress. They need to identify more role models, set the right tone from the top, measure the effect of their actions and harness the power of the straight majority. Today’s announcement represents several more bricks in the wall of LGBT acceptance and inclusion, but I am convinced that the best is yet to come.It is the responsibility of business leaders to drive progress. They need to identify more role models, set the right tone from the top, measure the effect of their actions and harness the power of the straight majority. Today’s announcement represents several more bricks in the wall of LGBT acceptance and inclusion, but I am convinced that the best is yet to come.
• Lord Browne is author of The Glass Closet and founder of glasscloset.org• Lord Browne is author of The Glass Closet and founder of glasscloset.org