Why should leaders care about visibility?

In this powerful and personal conversation, Wendy Wollner sits down with John Ebron—a retired Army combat veteran, leadership coach, and proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community—for a candid talk about the toll of hiding your identity at work, and the transformation that comes when you finally feel seen.

Wendy opens with a vulnerable story from her own past—a prom night moment that shaped how she thinks about authenticity, empathy, and psychological safety in the workplace. From there, John shares his lived experience serving under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the long road to being out at work, and the power of one leader’s decision to stand with him, not against him.

Whether you're a CEO, an HR leader, or a people manager wondering how to show up for your LGBTQIA+ employees—this episode is your invitation to do better, listen deeper, and lead with heart. Because representation isn’t just about a flag in your logo. It’s about who feels safe in your meetings. And who doesn’t.

Listen now: https://pod.link/1672656705

Together, they explore:

• Why visibility creates trust and creativity on teams
• How to lead through Pride Month with authenticity—not performative allyship
• What leaders gain when employees bring their whole selves to work
• How a psychologically safe workplace fuels better performance
• The responsibility of every manager and executive to lead with empathy, even when it's uncomfortable

Key Moment:

"If I can’t tap into all of who I am, I can’t bring anything to you." — John Ebron

Keywords:

Pride Month podcast, LGBTQIA+ leadership, visibility at work, psychological safety, inclusive leadership, DEI in the workplace, empathy in leadership, Pride Month employee engagement, Wendy Wollner podcast, Balancing Life’s Issues

Stay Connected:

Follow Wendy on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendywollner/

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@balancinglifesissuesinc.8501?sub_confirmation=1

Stream wherever you listen: https://pod.link/1672656705

Website: www.balancinglifesissues.com