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Eric_Lutzo_Dissertation.pdf (1.2 MB)

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Coming Out and Being Out in the C-Suite: Experiences of Openly Gay and Lesbian Executives

Lutzo, Eric
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=casedm1568710731435133

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Management, Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management.
We explore the effect of sexual orientation disclosure by first focusing on the lived experience of executives who came out in middle to late career to expose their orientation and second by investigating the influence of emotional intelligence on engaging in ‘outness’ behaviors. In the first part, we conducted, to our knowledge, the first empirical study specifically focused on gay and lesbian senior executives who came out in their organizations at late career stages. Phenomenological interviews with 25 executives revealed prioritization of professional vs. personal identity both before and after coming out, emphasized the recursive nature of coming out in the executive suite and showed positive organizational outcomes of personal intentional change when gay and lesbian executives leverage their status to promote policy and culture reforms. In the second part, we wanted to establish the influence that Emotional Intelligence had on “outness” of a gay or lesbian professional? This study consisted of a quantitative analysis on 114 lesbian and gay executives. The study reveals that the adaptability and self-control dimensions of Emotional Intelligence positively impact Outness. Furthermore, the positive outlook dimension and the self-awareness dimension of authenticity have a positive impact on the respondent’s perception of their ideal life. In addition to adding to the scholarly literature on gay and lesbians, the study provides insights into understanding factors impacting the disclosure of outness in the workplace. This understanding should be of interest to managers and scholars concerned with developing inclusive workplace policies, improving workplace circumstances for all minorities, and accelerating the move towards greater workplace diversity.
Richard Boyatzis, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Gender; Glbt Studies
Gay and lesbian executives; intentional change; emotional intelligence; ideal life; sexual orientation disclosure; outness

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lutzo, E. (2013). Coming Out and Being Out in the C-Suite: Experiences of Openly Gay and Lesbian Executives [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=casedm1568710731435133

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lutzo, Eric. Coming Out and Being Out in the C-Suite: Experiences of Openly Gay and Lesbian Executives. 2013. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=casedm1568710731435133.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lutzo, Eric. "Coming Out and Being Out in the C-Suite: Experiences of Openly Gay and Lesbian Executives." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=casedm1568710731435133

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

casedm1568710731435133
176
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