LGBT+The Release of 3 Education Modules

Challenge

We are always striving to be progressive leaders in the LGBT+ arena. We wanted the opportunity to elevate our corporate understanding and increase the knowledge of managers and individual contributors on LGBT+ topics around the world.

Actions

We engaged a diverse team of professionals representing instructional design, leadership, and members of our LGBT+ community to co-create the development of three education modules.

The first module focuses on becoming a strong LGBT+ Ally. While IBM had had an Ally course for many years, we used Pride Month as an opportunity to update and modernize the language, design, and user experience. We have incorporated the value proposition of allies, ways to make an inclusive difference, along with an ally pledge to take a proactive stance against inappropriate behavior in the workplace. We are currently working on different levels of allyship in the form of recognition and badges.  While this course is intended to be self-paced we do have teams using the content for face to face learning experiences.

The other two modules, LGBT+: Leading Inclusively and Transgender: Leading Inclusively, also deployed in June are progressive based learning experiences, where, as employees advance through the learning they deepen and advance their knowledge. This is accomplished through videos, user based experiences and specific actions employees can take to test their unconscious bias, coach others, and create an inclusive environment. 

Outcomes

Since these modules were launched, the results have been excellent. For example, for the LGBT+ Ally course, 96% of employees that have taken the course said it was valuable and engaging and 93% said they gained new insights related to being an LGBT+ Ally. We have received comments such as:

Excellent content and informative. Thank you for showing how to express being an Ally!

Human, respect, inclusion are key elements to be essential in the world

Contact

Lindsay-Rae McIntyre

Quote

IBM thinks about diversity the way we think about innovation—both are essential to the success of our business. When we innovate, technology becomes smarter for clients and creates new opportunities for growth. When we incorporate diversity into our business, we create better innovations and outcomes. IBM has embraced diversity, and it gives opportunities for IBMers and our clients to achieve their full potential.

Ginni Rometty, Chairman
President and Chief Executive Officer
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