Dr. Steven Yacovelli – Author of “Your Queer Career: Workplace Advice from “The Gay Leadership Dude.”

The Power of Pride: Insights from Dr. Steven Yacovelli on Leadership and Inclusion

Mike interviews Dr. Steven Yacovelli.

When you hear the phrase “The Gay Leadership Dude,” it might catch you off guard. But that’s what Dr. Steven Yacovelli, a top voice in leadership and inclusion, embraces as his brand. In the latest episode of Million Dollar Stories, I had the privilege of diving deep with Dr. Yacovelli about his groundbreaking book, Your Queer Career: Workplace Advice from “The Gay Leadership Dude.” What followed was a conversation filled with wisdom, humour, and actionable insights for leaders from all walks of life.

SUMMARY

Dr. Yacovelli started with a powerful analogy that set the tone for the entire discussion. He compared society’s evolving views on the LGBTQ+ community to how we once treated left-handedness. Remember when being left-handed was considered a problem? Kids were forced to write with their right hands because society said so. But then we made accommodations for left-handed scissors and desks designed for lefties, and suddenly, being left-handed wasn’t a big deal.

“It’s not that left-handed kids weren’t always there,” Steven explained. “We just finally said, who cares? Let’s let them be who they are.” The same shift, he argues, is happening with the LGBTQ+ community. As society becomes more inclusive, people feel more comfortable being themselves at work or in their personal lives. And it’s not just about being tolerant; it’s about creating environments where everyone feels like they belong.

One of the biggest questions we tackled was whether LGBTQ+ individuals are born that way or shaped by society. Steven didn’t hesitate to say, ” Absolutely.” He shared his journey growing up in a straight household and doing nerdy research in the ’90s to understand where “gay kids come from.”

Science, he explained, points to genetics and biological factors, with studies suggesting connections to maternal genes and even the number of siblings a person has. Beyond science, however, Steven emphasized something more profound: it’s about understanding that this is just who people are. Quoting Lady Gaga, he said, “We were born this way.”

Steven’s advice is crystal clear if you’re leading a team or running a business: inclusivity isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s a competitive advantage.

He broke it down with simple math. In a company with 1,000 employees, especially if it’s Gen Z-heavy, you can expect a significant percentage of your workforce to identify as LGBTQ+. Ignoring inclusivity doesn’t just alienate those individuals; it impacts your entire culture.

“Ask yourself this,” Steven challenged. “Do your employees feel like they belong? Because if they do, guess what happens? Their performance increases, retention improves, and they’ll talk about how awesome it is to work for you.”

It’s not about putting up a rainbow flag during Pride Month and calling it a day. It’s about fostering genuine belonging, where employees feel valued and heard. “When people feel like they belong,” he said, “pay isn’t their top priority. It’s the mission. They’ll fight for you.”

Dr. Yacovelli has worked with some of the biggest names in business, including Walt Disney World. He shared insights from leaders like George Kalogridis, the former head of Walt Disney World. What stood out? Authenticity and the power of listening.

“The best leaders aren’t just great talkers,” Steven said. “They’re phenomenal listeners.” He highlighted Stephen Covey’s wisdom: “We often listen to respond instead of to understand.” For leaders, mastering the art of listening isn’t optional; it’s essential. It’s about asking the right questions and genuinely caring about the answers.

We also discussed how technology can help leaders connect with their teams. Steven’s example? He sends his assistant a Slack message: “How’s your day? How’s your daughter?” It’s simple yet powerful.

“Relationships build workplace culture,” he said. “And culture determines whether your team is in it for the long haul or just punching the clock.”

Mike Fallat and Dr. Steven Yacovelli talk about the book Your Queer Career: Workplace Advice from “The Gay Leadership Dude.”

While Your Queer Career offers practical advice through a rainbow lens, Steven’s lessons apply to everyone. He’s unapologetic about keeping his work rooted in his identity. “I’m not de-gaying the book,” he joked, but countless straight readers have told him how valuable the insights are.

His previous book, Pride Leadership: Strategies for the LGBTQ+ Leader, blends humour with hard-hitting leadership principles. “It’s got bad dad jokes and solid theory,” he laughed. “The goal was to make leadership accessible and fun.”

At the end of the day, Dr. Steven Yacovelli isn’t just teaching leadership; he’s living it. His authenticity, humour, and passion are infectious, and his message is clear: inclusion, belonging, and empathy aren’t just buzzwords. They’re the foundation of outstanding leadership.

So, if you’re ready to level up your leadership game, check out Steven’s books on Amazon and connect with him on LinkedIn. And as always, remember the tagline for Million Dollar Stories:

Live Free and Write On.

Get his book here:

About Mike Fallat

Mike Fallat, aka The BookMan, is the owner of Dreamstarters Publishing and the Million Dollar Book Agency. They have helped 300+ entrepreneurs become bestselling authors. His goal is to help 1,000 entrepreneurs publish books and teach them how to use their books as a gateway to generating 7-figures.

Visit website for more information: https://www.milliondollarbookagency.com/

About Dreamstarters Publishing


Dreamstarters Publishing offers ghostwriting, cover design, and everything that is required to take an idea to a finished book (kindle, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook).


The Million Dollar Book Agency is the ultimate marketing CRM system for author-preneurs. Services include automated funnels, lead generation campaigns, book fulfillment, podcast management, press releases, virtual assistants, course development, and more.

Mike also hosts a podcast known as Million Dollar Stories and runs a membership-based site known as Million Dollar Circle. In addition to owning the book business, he invests in self storage real estate.

https://dreamstarterspublishing.com/

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