Speak Up, Spark Change: How LGBTQ+ Leaders Can Turn Feedback into Fuel for Inclusive Growth

Hey Friends welcome to May and the road to Pride Month. If you follow me on LinkedIn, you saw on Thursday that I am concentrating on 3 areas for this month's blog posts. On Mondays, I will be talking about Building your Corporate Culture. on Wednesdays, I will be talking about Marketing and on Fridays, I will be talking about how to Treat Yo'Self! If you have any specific things you would like me to address, as always reach out by DM'ing me or emailing scott@leftofstr8.com Now on to the post...

Your Next Breakthrough Is Already in the Room

Ever feel like you’re making all the decisions while the real insights are sitting quietly in the break room—or worse, walking out the door? Whether you're leading a queer-owned startup or managing a brand that champions inclusivity, the most powerful ideas for growth are often waiting to be heard. The secret? Listening with purpose and acting with courage.

Feedback Is the Mirrorball of Culture

Imagine your workplace as a dance floor. The feedback you gather is the mirrorball, reflecting every voice, every experience, every blind spot. Without it, you're dancing in the dark. But when you actively seek and respond to feedback, you create a space where everyone feels seen, valued, and ready to groove together. In this post, we'll explore how LGBTQ+ business owners can harness feedback to foster a vibrant, inclusive corporate culture.

1. Why Feedback Is the Lifeline of Inclusive Leadership

Think feedback is just a formality? Think again. Feedback isn't just about performance reviews; it's about creating a culture where everyone feels empowered to share their thoughts. For LGBTQ+ leaders, this means actively seeking diverse perspectives to ensure your workplace is truly inclusive.

Hot Tip: Regularly solicit feedback through anonymous surveys and open forums to uncover areas for improvement.

2. Creating Safe Spaces: Encouraging Honest Conversations

If your team isn't speaking up, it's not because they have nothing to say. Psychological safety is crucial. When employees fear retaliation or dismissal, they stay silent. Creating an environment where feedback is welcomed and valued encourages open dialogue.

Hot Tip: Implement regular check-ins and ensure confidentiality to build trust.

3. From Insight to Action: Building a Feedback Loop That Works

Gathering feedback is only half the battle; acting on it is where the magic happens. A feedback loop involves collecting input, analyzing it, implementing changes, and communicating those changes back to your team. This cycle fosters continuous improvement and shows your commitment to growth.

Hot Tip: After implementing changes, follow up with your team to discuss the impact and gather further insights.

4. Tools of the Trade: Leveraging Tech for Real-Time Feedback

In the digital age, waiting for annual reviews is like using a flip phone in a smartphone world. Utilize technology to gather real-time feedback. Tools like Slack, SurveyMonkey, and dedicated feedback apps can streamline the process and provide immediate insights.

Hot Tip: Choose platforms that allow for anonymous feedback to encourage honesty. Also, if you don't have the time, that's where we come in. You can hire a consultant to get the feedback for you and put it into easy digest chunks with recommendations how to implement.

5. Closing the Loop: Communicating Changes Back to Your Team

Implementing changes without communication is like dancing without music—confusing and ineffective. Once you've acted on feedback, it's essential to inform your team. This transparency builds trust and shows that their input leads to tangible results.

Hot Tip: Share updates in team meetings, newsletters, or internal platforms to keep everyone informed.

6. Feedback from the Frontlines: Engaging Your Customers

Your customers are talking—are you listening? Customer feedback is a goldmine for improvement. Engaging with your audience shows that you value their opinions and are committed to serving them better.

Hot Tip: Implement feedback forms on your website and encourage reviews to gather customer insights.

7. Measuring Impact: Tracking the Success of Feedback Initiatives

If you're not measuring, you're guessing. To understand the effectiveness of your feedback strategies, track key metrics like employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and retention rates.

Hot Tip: Use analytics tools to monitor trends and identify areas for further improvement. Or, Hire me!!

Embrace Feedback, Empower Growth

Incorporating feedback into your workplace isn't just about fixing problems, it's about building a culture of trust, inclusivity, and continuous improvement. As an LGBTQ+ leader, your commitment to listening and acting on feedback sets the tone for a vibrant, dynamic organization.

Remember, every voice matters. By fostering open communication, leveraging technology, and closing the feedback loop, you're not just leading a business, you're creating a community where everyone can thrive.

Ready to take the next step? Start by asking your team one simple question: "How can we do better?" The answers might just transform your workplace.