What does it mean to be a great leader? How can great leaders incorporate leadership, diversity, inclusion, LGBTQ+ advocacy and resilience into their workplace culture?

Today on “Room At The Table”, Betsy Cerulo sits down with Dr. Steve Yacovelli (“The Gay Leadership Dude®”) to discuss how strong, inclusive leaders navigate chaos and foster belonging in today’s political climate.

Dr. Yacovelli shares actionable strategies for building resilience, leading through uncertainty, and communicating with empathy. From managing emotional responses to addressing pushback on DEI initiatives, this episode offers a roadmap for leaders committed to positive change.

This episode concludes with a message of hope, citing data showing increasing LGBTQ+ identification among younger generations and their expectations for workplace inclusivity. Dr. Yacovelli encourages leaders to engage in respectful conversations with those who disagree and to continue prioritizing diversity and inclusion efforts despite current challenges. Tune in today for insights, strategies, and a hopeful look at the future of inclusive leadership.

• (00:00) Intro: Creating equitable and inclusive workplaces
• (05:30) Top three strategies for building resilience
• (10:47) Self-awareness and emotional intelligence in leadership
• (16:47) Impacts of current climate on diversity programs
• (21:19) The five layers of diversity model explained
• (27:16) Navigating inclusivity challenges in organizations
• (31:55) Gen Z's impact on future workplace diversity
• (36:44) Closing thoughts and contact information

• Resilient leadership is crucial in times of chaos. Leaders need to focus on developing a positive perspective, maintaining a healthy self-concept, and getting comfortable with uncertainty. By strengthening these "resiliency muscles," we can better navigate change and help our teams do the same.
• Diversity goes far beyond surface-level characteristics. The five layers of diversity model shows that diversity encompasses personality, internal dimensions, external dimensions, organizational dimensions, and country of operation. Understanding this broader definition helps create more inclusive workplaces and societies.
• In challenging times for DEI initiatives, we must be strategic and adaptable. While some organizations are pulling back publicly, many are still doing important work behind the scenes. As leaders, we need to assess the situation, decide whether to fight or pivot, and find creative ways to continue fostering inclusion, even if it means reframing our approach.

Dr. Steve Yacovelli (a.k.a. “The Gay Leadership Dude®”) is an expert in diversity and inclusion, change management, and leadership both in and outside of the workplace. He’s worked internally for folks like The Walt Disney Company, IBM, Tupperware Brands, and several universities before starting his own consulting firm, TopDog Learning Group in 2008.

TopDog works with both Fortune 500s and not-for-profit organizations to bring about a more inclusive and effective workplace through on-site workshops, virtual or face-to-face keynotes, 1:1 and group coaching sessions, and custom learning solutions.

Steve’s also an award-winning author, speaker, and self proclaimed “catalyst.” His fourth award-winning and critically acclaimed book, “Pride Leadership: Strategies for LGBTQ+ Professionals to be the King or Queen of their Jungle” “came out” in June 2019, while his latest best-seller, “Your Queer Career®: Workplace Advice from ‘The Gay Leadership Dude®’” came into the world in early 2024.

Steve’s not-so-hidden agenda is to make the world a bit more inclusive for us all.

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