What if your workplace could be someone's only safe space to exist authentically? Martin King, founder of Pride Pledge, reveals how organisations can become sanctuaries for rainbow communities in ways that transform lives and businesses alike.
After nearly three decades in corporate HR roles, Martin experienced burnout that led to an epiphany. His passion for creating inclusive environments could become his purpose. Seven years ago, he founded Pride Pledge, now New Zealand's largest rainbow workplace inclusion consultancy, helping organisations of all sizes to create safer spaces for LGBTIQ+ people and customers.
Martin challenges our assumptions about where people feel safest to be themselves. "Our workplaces actually have the power to be the safest place for our queer communities," he explains, noting that many rainbow people must hide their identities outside work. This perspective shifts how we understand workplace inclusion—not as a nice-to-have initiative, but potentially as someone's lifeline.
The conversation explores how authentic leadership creates psychological safety. When leaders share aspects of themselves—whether it's their family responsibilities, cultural backgrounds, or sexual orientations—they signal that bringing one's whole self to work is valued. "Vulnerability is strength, not weakness," Martin emphasizes, explaining how this openness leads to innovation, better decisions, and richer conversations.
Against the backdrop of concerning global rollbacks in LGBTIQ+ rights, Martin offers hope and practical strategies: comprehensive training programs, inclusive policies, gender affirmation leave, measurement frameworks, and certification models. His mantra that "the rainbow creates a halo" reminds us that organizations visibly committed to LGBTIQ+ inclusion naturally become more attractive to all diverse talent.
Ready to make your workplace a beacon of inclusion? Connect with Pride Pledge to discover how small changes can create profound impact for your people, and your organisation.
The Culture Ministrywe specialise in building sustainable businesses through productive and effective work cultures.
We do this through:
🟡 Culture Audits, Surveys, Benchmarking and Data Work
🟡 Crafting Culture Strategy that connects with Organisational Purpose
🟡 Long term leadership programs to advance leadership teams in building sustainable and inclusive cultures. What that leaders say, do, and measure, has a massive impact on your culture and the sustainability of your business.
🟡 Providing structure and tools for Employee Resource Groups to be successful, and drive better business outcomes.
We love working with organisations who know change is needed.
Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more
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