The United States military is one of the largest organizations that has ever existed, with millions of people working together to defend the country.
There are some groups within this organization who face unique challenges due to their gender identity and sexual orientation.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) soldiers may have difficulty feeling comfortable with their peers, especially when it comes to workplace issues. This is because they may feel discriminated against for being different from everyone else. While leadership styles can influence inclusion, psychological safety, and relational wellbeing for LGBT soldiers, research suggests that this relationship is more nuanced than expected. Leadership style is defined as how leaders interact with those around them and respond to situations. Inclusion refers to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, supported, and safe. Psychological safety refers to feelings of trust, respect, openness, and honesty among team members. Relational wellbeing describes the overall happiness and satisfaction felt by individuals regarding relationships with others. Therefore, understanding how these concepts affect LGBT soldiers in the military requires further exploration.
One study found that LGBT soldiers had less positive perceptions of leadership behaviors than their heterosexual counterparts. Specifically, they were less likely to view their supervisors as supportive or effective. These findings suggest that certain types of leadership styles could be problematic for LGBT soldiers.
Previous research indicated that LGBT soldiers reported higher levels of stress compared to non-LGBT soldiers. This could be related to fear of discovery, discrimination, and other factors. Thus, a leader's approach to handling conflict and managing employees could impact LGBT soldier welfare.
Including LGBT soldiers may require a change in leadership style, which could involve increased communication, transparency, and flexibility.
There is still much to learn about this complex topic, especially when it comes to the unique experiences of women and minority groups within the military.
How does leadership style influence inclusion, psychological safety, and relational wellbeing for LGBT soldiers?
Leadership style has been shown to have significant impact on various dimensions of organizational functioning. This includes how individuals perceive their workplace climate (e. g. , safety) as well as how they relate with each other at work (e. g. , collaboration).