Why is mentoring for LGBT+ talent important within our industry?

• The industry in under-represented. Approximately 3% of employees identify as LGBT+ in our industry, yet in society this is estimated to be one in seven.
• Our talent is seeking it. 90% of LGBT+ employees in our industry say that they want to be involved in mentoring.
• Executive sponsorship is requested. 84% also said that senior level sponsorship is important to them.
• The community wants to advance. 83% said that they would like to access specific LGBT+ focused talent development programmes.
• Empathy and support is needed. 30% of respondents are not ‘out’ to senior colleagues because they fear a risk to their career progression.
• To address a culture of fear. 22% of LGBT+ respondents believe that if they ‘came out’ at work, this would affect their promotion prospects.

What are the benefits for a mentee?

Becoming a mentee is a hugely beneficial process that enables individuals to develop and improve their skillset, and progress their career development. By connecting with a mentor, mentees are able to learn from their experiences and develop thinking, whilst also sharing their knowledge. There are 5 main benefits for mentees:

What are the benefits for a mentee?

Becoming a mentee is a hugely beneficial process that enables individuals to develop and improve their skillset, and progress their career development. By connecting with a mentor, mentees are able to learn from their experiences and develop thinking, whilst also sharing their knowledge. There are 5 main benefits for mentees:

1. Develop and expand their career skills and thinking
2. Learn strategies for overcoming challenges and barriers
3. Increase knowledge of leadership and their mentor’s journey
4. Gain a structured approach to own personal development
5. Connect with professionals from other organisations and expand their network.

How does LGBT Great’s Mentoring Programme work?

• Our mentoring programme is designed to support LGBT+ talent to reach its full potential and to act as a ‘Talent Accelerator’ for the community in our industry specifically. Commitment to the Mentoring Programme was announced alongside our Global Top 100 Executive Allies initiative for Pride in June 2020. This followed the request from our Project 1000 role models and members to be involved in mentoring.
• Through the Mentoring Programme, we aim to provide executives with a specific way in which they can demonstrate The 5 Traits of Impactful Allyship: self-discovery, empathy, courage, responsibility and persistence.
• The programme works by connecting mentees with senior mentors (LGBT+ or allies) who can provide support and guidance on their career development and ‘life at work’. The specific focus of each paring is mutually agreed by the mentor and mentee.
• The programme aims to challenge stereotypes and increase awareness of the LGBT+ lived experience at work. With the permission of both mentors and mentees, pairings will be role modelled through LGBT Great’s flagship visibility initiative called Project 1000.

About LGBT Great

LGBT Great is an innovative global diversity and inclusion organisation specialist in supporting financial services firms. To join our push to achieve an LGBT+ equal industry visit www.lgbtgreat.com