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LGBTQ+ individuals disproportionately encounter bias, adversity, stigma, and marginalization throughout their lives. It’s an enormous obstacle – but also prepares them for leadership in a fast-moving, volatile, uncertain, complex, and adaptive working world.
The book explores the unique and inspiring developmental experiences of LGBTQ+ leaders, the amazing capabilities they bring to teams, and what that means for everyone pursuing positive and inclusive organizational strategy. With stories from the armed forces, lawyers, entrepreneurs, authors, academics, thought-leaders, medical professionals – you name it – this shows how queer folk everywhere are harnessing their hard-won power and resilience to excel.
With a history of excellence in queer leadership, the contextual underpinning of adversity and resilience theory, and uplifting stories and soundbites from queer game-changers in every field – this is an essential resource for LGBTQ+ individuals, allies, advocates, business professionals and leaders of all kinds.

Reviews

Fram and Cavallaro have created a resource that harnesses our individual resilience as queer people, and exemplifies how that can be our own superpower. A wonderful book that tells LGBTQ+ people that there isn't a limit on our potential in this world.
Jamie Windust, author of In Their shoes: Navigating Non-Binary Life.
An insightful and engaging read that helps us all step into your power as queer leaders - whatever that may look like - with surprising insights and connections that altered my perception of leadership.
Ben Pechey, author, presenter, DE& I consultant, and author of The Book of Non-Binary Joy
For decades we have seen professional literature and research focus on the impact of oppression, discrimination, and minority stress on members of LGBTQIA+ communities. In recent years, we have started to observe more dialogue centering the resilience within our communities. Forging Queer Leaders takes that work to the next level with its emphasis on how our community leaders have grown and flourished from their experiences while offering concrete advice to the next generation of leaders within our communities.
Nick Grant, PhD, ABPP, and Immediate Past President, GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality.
This was the book I didn't know I needed. At a time when Queer Leaders are needed in this generation's test (crucible as the authors might call it) this book was the wind that filled my sails so I could refresh my grip on the tiller!
Scottie Jeannette Madden (Author, Writer, Director, and Showrunner)
An inspiring, educational read. With both authority and empathy, Fram and Cavallaro masterfully weave stories, data, and advice to shine a long overdue spotlight on LGBTQ+ leadership and what we can all learn from it. A must read for anyone who aspires to be a better leader, friend, parent, or human.
- Alison Fragale, PhD, Professor, University of North Carolina and author of Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve
If it takes a blast furnace to make steel strong, then the fires of coming out and living our authentic truth in an often hostile and obstructive society forges something similar in the character of queer folk. An eloquent case of how and why LGBTQ+ people often make the best staff to hire.
Christine Burns MBE, author of Trans Britain