The value of optimizing oneself: A queer expert in the leadership field

As WorkPride approaches, leadership expert Bill Dickinson emphasizes the vital role that LGBTQ+ professionals play in the workplace, particularly in leadership positions. He also shares why he wrote a book to support others in the community in developing their leadership skills and advancing their careers, after coming out in his fifties.

Many of us hang our identity on the work we do. During the work week, we spend more waking hours with colleagues than we do with our families and friends. Thus, it is not uncommon to define ourselves by what we do versus who we are. This paradigm of what we do versus who we are needs to change. In fact, I’m going to suggest we always lead with who and why we are and, then, as one who has skill sets to do work that makes a difference – small or great.

Now, as a gay man – and I believe for all of us within the LGBTQ+ community – we take a unique pride in our identity within the community and the world. Having said that, I know, as well, that many of us are still closeted, or feel belittled because we are LGBTQ+ and others refuse to accept us and love us unconditionally. And, that hurts.

Bill Dickinson, Founder & Managing Partner of C3 Leadership, LLC, and author of Optimizing Self

You have an innate dignity and sanctity; own it.

I’d like you to know that this gay man stands with you, feels with you, and wants the best for you. As one who was ordained a Roman Catholic priest for 25 years, and who still considers himself a man of God, I absolutely, completely, unequivocally, and confidently believe all of us – YOU – have an innate dignity and sanctity that no one can strip you of or take away. You are wonderfully, beautifully made in a divine image, and it cannot be scarred or defaced. Thus, wear your dignity and identity with a pride of purpose.

I have done leadership development for most of my professional life. And I always begin leadership development programs with the premise that you cannot effectively or empathically lead others if you do not authentically and compassionately know and lead yourself. In business, in our communities, and within our families of choice we are always leading. How we lead as LGBTQ+ and as professionals does make a difference in our credibility and integrity – and, despite the fact, that there may be small-minded or judgmental colleagues and family members. As LGBTQ+ professionals we are highly influential and essential. My hope is that the work of my book will inform and empower your thinking and worth.

Optimizing Self: A Guided Workbook to Elevate Your Impact as a Leader.

I have written my first book as an anthem for better discovering, celebrating, and advocating for oneself. The book has a dual purpose of enabling the reader, YOU, to better become self-aware both personally and professionally. Although Optimizing Self is skewed toward your professional understanding of self, it enables our LGBTQ+ identity to reveal itself as well as anchor ourselves more thoughtfully and intentionally.

Yes, we optimize ourselves by spending time with ourselves, opening ourselves up to the feedback of others, and curating a personal brand, and value proposition that distinctly and wonderfully reflects YOU. And, this is what my book provides for us as more responsible and self-aware leaders. Some of the following are included in the book. And remember, Optimizing Self enables me to practice my craft as a thought-leader in support of others: YOU.

A Terrible 360 Review Process.

For me, my incentive to improve myself professionally was a terrible 360 Feedback Review process that I went through 12 years ago. The results caused me to feel shame and disappointment in myself for not better understanding how I was leading. My non-verbal behaviors and tone were exhausting for my team – and they were suffering. I had to change those behaviors and become more emotionally intelligent. The poor results of that 360 were a key turning point for me both interpersonally and professionally. Today, I am much healthier, approachable, and credible. I have worked very hard on improving myself as a genuine leader of people (not just ambitious projects).

The Feedback of Others.

In part, I have written Optimizing Self to elevate your professional persona and credibility. Professionally, we do not often get feedback. Nor do we know how to really handle ourselves when we get feedback. It is important that we invite the insights and feedback of our work colleagues and leader. Why? Because they have already assessed and captured that feedback within their minds and hearts. Our colleagues know what we do well and where we come up short. So, let’s find out. Let’s ask them. If we are open, we can learn a lot about ourselves and choose to develop our credibility and productivity. Optimizing Self will get you to that place with some practical activities.

Note, I am not suggesting we subject ourselves to feedback on our identity as LGBTQ+ – particularly if we know others don’t accept us or question us. Indeed, I would recommend not associating with them; or set clear boundaries if they are family.

A Personal Brand

Whether we like it or not or even know it or not, all of us already have a brand. That is to say that how we carry ourselves, define ourselves, and care for others is constantly being summed up in the minds and hearts of others. Thus, we have a personal brand.

A brand can be summed up as the following: “What others say about us when we are not in the room.” And this is true whether it is a family dining room, work lunchroom, meeting room, or board room.

I am one who wants the best for you. This means I have written Optimizing Self with the research and application activities that allow you to consider, revisit, and enhance your personal brand. In short, I don’t want your personal brand to be accidental. I would like your brand to be intentional and thoughtful. And, yes, my identity as a gay man is tied up in my personal brand. But, a personal brand does not need to include your identity as LGBTQ+.

In the professional community, my personal brand is summed up this way:

Bill is a thoughtful man as well as a thought leader.

Bill knows his stuff and cares about the success of others.

Self-aware leaders choose to know and curate their brand. They celebrate and leverage their brand so as to make a statement or place a stake in the ground unapologetically.

A Professional Value Proposition

As I facilitate countless leadership development programs for mid-level and senior leaders around the world, I frequently ask a program participant:

“What is the value proposition associated with your role?” Or, “what is the value you bring to your work and to the department you work in?”

And the responses are deafening. Meaning, very few leaders can readily express their unique differentiator as a professional and in their work role. In my opinion, this is not acceptable. We optimize ourselves and our worth when we spend time with ourselves to fully assess our differentiating skill sets, experiences, education, certifications, awards, etc. And, then, we express that value proposition in a concise and compelling manner. My value proposition is the following:

As a senior thought leader in the ecosystem of leadership, I have the unique capability of both designing and delivering leadership content and best practices that enable others to grow in their own confidence, competence, and credibility. After years of experience with leaders across industries, I consult, coach, and facilitate their potential and career advancement.

It is very important, as a professional, and in any career or industry, that YOU can clearly and confidently articulate both who you are and “why” others would want to work with you, for you, or buy your particular service or product. This kind of internal work provides external opportunities with better work projects, career advancement, and as one who may be interviewing for a new opportunity.

Optimizing Self: An Outline

My book does the following:

• It tells my story of a terrible 360 review and my commitment to improve myself.
• It acknowledges my coming out as a gay man at the age of 54 and why that was important to my self-leadership.
• Exhorts why the input, observations, and feedback from others are essential to optimizing self.
• Guides the reader through three key activities to better understand and define:

1. A more fulfilling and informed sense of "self" as valued and vital.

2. A personal brand statement that elevates how you are known or want to be known.

3. A value proposition statement that enables you to express and sell what your differentiator is as a professional. “Why” others want to work with you and for you.

• Animates the place and skill of emotional intelligence as essential to leadership.
• Provides best-practice templates for 1:1’s, Team Norms, and Feedback.
• Offers static or dynamic workbook application PDFs for engagement – with the book.

Finally, you will complete Optimizing Self with a greater appreciation for YOU as both vital and valuable. Remember, you already possess an innate dignity and beauty. So let's choose to be proud of who we are and why we are. You’ve got this. And I have your back.

Amplifying Marginalized Voices in Leadership

Bill Dickinson, Founder & Managing Partner of C3 Leadership, LLC, and author of Optimizing Self, is one of the esteemed speakers at this year’s WorkPride panels on Amplifying Marginalized Voices in Leadership (on 17 June 2024) at 5pm BST. This panel discusses the underrepresentation of marginalized groups in leadership positions and strategies for promoting diversity in leadership roles. For a chance to win one of 25 copies of Optimizing Self: A Guided Workbook to Elevate Your Impact as a Leader, kindly donated by Bill, simply sign up to the panel here, and you’ll automatically be entered into a draw to win a copy of the book. Winners will be notified at the end of the panel.

Bill has also kindly arranged a 35% discount for myGwork members and attendees of WorkPride this year on the Kindle/ebook version of Optimizing Self during 17-24 June 2024, so you can buy the e-book at a discounted price of $5.99, instead of the full $8.99. Click on this link to take advantage of the discount.

Amplifying Marginalized Voices in Leadership: Monday June 17, 2024

Competition Rules

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