We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Steve Yacovelli and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Steve, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
As “The Gay Leadership Dude®” I’m passionate about equality and justice for all: LGBTQ+ folks and anyone. I’ve seen this as a focus throughout my career: in the leadership programs we do to 1:1 coaching to writing my latest two books (“Pride Leadership: Strategies for the LGBTQ+ Leader to be the King or Queen of their Jungle” and “Your Queer Career®: Leadership Advice from The Gay Leadership Dude®”). The concept of creating a space where anyone can feel seen, safe, and that sense of belonging is — to me — the ultimate goal of a leader. If my team feels these things they will perform at their highest, be loyal to the organization, and do the work in a positive, inclusive manner.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

TopDog Learning Group, LLC is a consulting firm focused on three distinct but very complimentary key areas: (1) leadership and organizational development; (2) diversity, inclusion, and belonging; and (3) change management and resilience. We provide client-centric solutions that touch upon these areas through services such as onsite training workshops, online, virtual sessions, webinars and virtual keynotes, face-to-face keynotes, 1:1 and group coaching sessions, and custom learning solutions.

What sets us apart from other boutique consulting firms in this area is our ability to meet participants where they are and help them evolve with specific tactics, tools, and concepts they can immediately apply to be better leaders. We do this in an engaging, informative, and practical format whether it’s online, in-person, or via lunch-and-learns and signature talks.

We started “The Gay Leadership Dude®” sub-brand when Steve’s last book “Pride Leadership” ‘came out’ in 2019. Since then we’ve fully explored how we can support queer and ally leaders to grow their own leadership skills so they in turn can impact their workplaces to be more consciously inclusive. This focus has been very unique in the modern workplace, and we have worked with hundreds of LGBTQ+ ERG Leaders and other Queer Leaders from around the world with tools and strategies to grow their effectiveness.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Living in Orlando it’s pretty easy to find both the “typical” theme park experiences at Disney and Universal, but also share the local haunts that most folks don’t know about unless you’re, well, a local. We’d explore great restaurants in the downtown Orlando area, We’d take a side trip to a beach (pick a coast! there’s great beaches on both the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast of Florida). We’d take advantage of the great water sports like stand up paddle boarding all around the many lakes (watch for gators tho!). And of course *maybe* hit a theme park or two (as long as they’re not too crowded).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I know I would not be the professional I am today if not for the experiences and the people who have crossed my path — the good and the not-so-good! I’d first shout out to one of my best friends and mentors Ruth Bond. Ruth and I worked at Disney together and she guided me not just through the politics of the organization but the understanding of leadership coaching especially through the lens of inclusivity. We co-founded my business TopDog Learning Group together as a “side hustle” in 2002(!) and I took it as my full-time gig in 2008. We’re still besties to this day.

I also have to shout out to my hubby of 25-ish years Richard Egan. Without his unwavering support and trust in me and my passion I’d not be an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and advocate for LGBTQ+ equality and inclusive leadership overall.

Finally, all the folks who I’ve worked with in my corporate experiences: my other Disney colleagues, my fellow IBM-ers, those who I work alongside as faculty at a few universities, and my team at TopDog who are amazing “TopDogger” (consultants) who help us meet our vision of inclusive leadership alive and well.

Website: http://topdoglearning.biz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegayleadershipdude/

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/steveyacovelli

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gayleadershipdude

Other: Latest Book: http://www.SteveOnAmazon.com Pride Leadership LGBTQ+ Leadership Program: http://www.PrideLeadership.com

Image Credits
TopDog Learning Group, LLC

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.