Project Overview

ORGsight partnered with a global resource company to design and deliver an internal LGBTQ+ Mentoring Program, an internal initiative supporting the personal and professional development of LGBTQ+ employees. This program fosters inclusive development practices while driving long-term cultural change through reverse mentoring, enabling leaders to learn directly from employees’ lived experiences.

Program Evolution

An internal LGBTQ+ Mentoring Program was initially piloted in 2021 with 20 mentees in a single division based in Western Australia. Following its success, the program expanded in 2022 to include participants across Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, with 57 mentees. This expansion amplified the program’s reach and its impact on organisational culture and leadership inclusion capability.

Program Objectives

1. Support LGBTQ+ Talent: Provide mentorship to LGBTQ+ employees, ensuring equitable access to career development opportunities and adequate support provided to employees where rates of discrimination and harassment have been shown to be higher within the organisation.
2. Enable Reverse Mentoring: Equip leaders with insights into the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ employees to foster inclusive behaviours and decision-making.

Scope of Work

• Design of mentoring frameworks, including reverse mentoring elements.
• Management of applications, matching processes, and orientation sessions.
• Delivery of coaching sessions to enhance mentor-mentee relationships.
• Development of evaluation tools to assess program outcomes and improvements.

Results & Impact

• Enhanced Retention and Engagement: Mentoring contributed to measurable improvements in retention and engagement among LGBTQ+ employees.
• Leadership Growth: 88% of mentors reported significant learning and behavioural shifts through the reverse mentoring process.
• Dedicated Mentors: 100% of mentees expressed satisfaction with the support and commitment of their mentors.
• Scalable Outcomes: Expansion of the program increased the visibility of LGBTQ+ talent and created stronger internal networks, fostering collaboration and inclusivity across regions.

Why This Matters

The internal LGBTQ+ Mentoring Program demonstrates how internal mentoring initiatives can drive cultural and leadership transformation. By expanding its scope and incorporating reverse mentoring, the program effectively addresses leadership inclusion capability while providing meaningful support to LGBTQ+ talent. This scalable approach serves as a model for other organisations seeking to embed inclusion into their leadership practices and workforce culture.