A Matter of Pride: Words on Embracing Your Difference
As part of celebrating Pride Month, The Glass Hammer features inspiring and empowering words on embracing wholeness, diversity and celebrating your difference – no matter what it is – from proud leaders from the LGBTQ+ community we have interviewed over the last five years.
We re-share them in the spirit they inspire you to embrace your own uniqueness and difference, and celebrate those of others.
On finding both magnetism and internal strength in your difference.
“One of the things now running through my veins is the knowing that what makes me connect with people is the ways in which we are similar, what intrigues and draws me to people is the ways in which we are different.”
“I found a different lease on my otherness. I can’t chase everybody’s projection of me, but the more I recognize the uniqueness of my own experience, the more I feel I have to offer.”
Words from: Elena Kim: VP Business Development, TV/OTT at Global Music Rights
On recognizing diversity as a catalyst to growth and adding value.
“Any difference you think you may have is not a shortcoming. It’s always your springboard. You have to embrace that diverse part of you, because it’s only through diversity that we thrive.”
“Bring your difference to the table because that is what really adds value to an organization, to a meeting, to a friendship, to anything. That diverse point of view is what makes everything grow.”
On why being yourself liberates you.
“Even if it did affect my career in some way, I don’t care. I’ll never know. I don’t care, because I feel like being out has made me more productive, more creative, more content than I could have imagined back then.” (on being the first out lesbian on the trading floor)
Words From: Erika Karp: Chief Impact Officer, Pathstone
“You often hear the phrase ‘bring your whole self to work,’ which underscores the concept that authenticity frees up discretionary energy, enabling you to engage more powerfully. For those in the LBGT+ community who are in the closet at work, it’s not simply that they are choosing to leave behind certain discretionary aspects of their lives, but rather they are actively hiding this very elemental aspect of their personhood.”
Words From: Corinne Heyes, HR Director for the Americas at Barclays
On why realizing your full potential requires your authentic self.
“Now this was 20 years ago, and times were different, but I hid who I was. I changed my image, tried to behave and walk differently, and it destroyed my career. I was trying to be someone I wasn’t, and I wasn’t authentic to myself or to the world around me. If I could do it over again, I would have behaved differently, even though it would have dissolved my access to income at the time. Trying to hide who I was made it impossible to be great. I couldn’t be my best without being my full self.” (in her experience as a former professional athlete)
Words From: Natalie Tucker: Head of Strategy & Operations, Radioligand Therapy
On finding a culture where you can thrive in your difference.
“I bring to the table my lived and learned experience as a woman, a lesbian woman, a Hispanic woman. The things that kept me quiet in the room before are the things making me speak the loudest in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion space.”
“Go somewhere where you can be yourself. I’m very passionate in my delivery and it’s part of my culture. Making sure I’m in an environment where that doesn’t have to be shut off is important. Look for environments that are ready to receive you, because that’s where you’ll be your most productive, innovative, creative and strategic.”
Words from: Noelle Ramirez: Project Manager, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, PGIM (career update: VP, Morgan Stanley)
On sharing your authentic self as the foundation of trust-building.
“Sharing our personal lives helps us be a more cohesive team. When pressure and deadlines come, you can get through those rough times better when you have established a high level of trust.”
Words From: Terry Albarella, Vice President, Enterprise Architecture, Prudential Financial (career update: Senior Manager, IT Operations, Relativity)
On not boxing yourself out of opportunities based on expectations.
“Diversity is an asset and a valuable contribution to a large organization such as Goldman Sachs. Junior women should not be swayed by misconceptions that the financial services industry is searching for ‘cookie-cutter’ candidates – it’s important to be yourself because everyone brings something new and different to the table.”
Words From: Michelle Nyberg, Vice President, Services Division, Goldman Sachs (career update: Executive Director, General Manager of Corporate & Workplace Solutions + ESG liaison, Goldman Sachs Australia)
On challenging stereotypes and being a visible inspiration to others.
“It can be hard to find your confidence when you’re not being your true self. I often having people saying that I don’t look gay, and for me that’s an invitation to break the barriers down on a daily basis so we can treat everyone as equals.”
Words From: Laura Raymond, Vice President and Business Development Officer, Wells Fargo Commercial Banking
“When you are open and visible about who you are, others who may be struggling can see that and say ‘She’s doing it and seems to be ok, and maybe I will too.’ Even if you never interact with them, you can be a lighthouse that offers that level of comfort…The most important thing you can do is be yourself; in fact you can’t be successful without it.”
Words From: Francesca Harris, Business Development Manager, PwC UK
“You get a different perspective from unusual backgrounds and combinations of influences. It’s eye-opening for so many people and paves the way for them to be themselves.”
“Having a lesbian woman in the highest position changes the perspective on everything, and I appreciate that I can be a role model for women, lesbians and anyone who’s different from the stereotypes people have in their heads.”
Words from: Liesbeth Botha, Strategic Digital Transformation Leader at PwC Africa (career update: Chief Digital Officer, PwC Africa)
On going beyond your difference to rise into allyship for others.
“ln my attempts to make sure I kept my job and kept growing in the way I wanted to, did I do enough speaking out on behalf of others around me? Did I do enough ally work? I think the answer, probably up until recently, is ‘no.’” (on her rising commitment to allyship for others)
Words From: Caroline Samponaro: Head of Transit & Micromobility Policy, Lyft
