In this insightful article, Rikki explores how business leaders, HR professionals, and DEI specialists can navigate the divisive debate around trans rights in the workplace. Drawing on Justin Lee’s Talking Across the Divide and Social Identity Theory, the article explains why these discussions often become emotionally charged and how leaders can foster meaningful, respectful dialogue. Rather than forcing agreement, Rikki advocates for a strategic approach—shifting the goal from winning debates to planting seeds of understanding, using storytelling to create emotional connections, and emphasising shared values to build common ground. The article offers practical steps for facilitating workplace discussions that reduce polarization, ensuring all employees feel respected and heard. With trans rights increasingly at the forefront of workplace culture, this article provides timely guidance for leaders looking to manage these conversations effectively. It also highlights Rikki’s expertise as a speaker for Pride Month and beyond.
Award-winning speaker and LGBTQ inclusion expert Rikki Arundel exposes the misleading narratives pushed by the gender-critical movement in their latest article, “The Manufactured Crisis: How the Gender-Critical Movement Misleads the Public on Trans Rights.”
For years, gender-critical activists have used distorted statistics and fear-driven rhetoric to portray trans women as a threat to cisgender women. However, there is no credible evidence supporting these claims. Instead, the real dangers to women—rising sexual violence, police misconduct, and the radicalization of young men into misogyny—are being ignored.
Rikki argues that business and public sector leaders cannot afford to ignore the impact of this misinformation. A toxic workplace culture, where trans employees feel unsafe or silenced, damages productivity, morale, and inclusivity.
Through compelling analysis, Rikki dismantles gender-critical fear-mongering and calls on leaders to take action. The solution? Education, inclusion, and truth. Hiring trans speakers and educators ensures organizations foster a culture of respect, equality, and belonging.
This is a must-read for those committed to diversity, equity, and real social progress.
Read more...
In a recent episode of the Speaking Business Podcast, listeners were treated to an in-depth conversation about building a successful career in public speaking. The episode highlighted the journey of an award-winning speaker and founder of the Professional Speakers Association, who shared their path from humble beginnings to receiving a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Key takeaways included the significance of identifying a niche, maintaining resilience amidst career changes, and the art of crafting messages that deeply connect with audiences.
In this insightful and empowering blog post, Rikki Arundel shares their journey of mastering the art of public speaking and provides actionable advice to help others stand out. Drawing from decades of experience, Rikki emphasizes that becoming an outstanding speaker is not about competing with professional giants like Tony Robbins or Oprah Winfrey—it’s about crafting a clear, memorable message that inspires action. They outline three transformative rules: learning self-love to build confidence, avoiding the trap of relying on PowerPoint too early, and delivering a single, impactful message. Rikki delves into the common challenges, especially for women, of overcoming social conditioning and imposter syndrome to find their voice. With practical steps like creating a “Moments of Triumph” book, this post inspires readers to embrace their value, connect with audiences, and deliver speeches that truly make a difference.
In this compelling blog post, Rikki Arundel shares their unique experience as a Product Manager for Crown Life, a company that turned public speaking into a strategic tool for business growth. In the early 1980s, Crown Life set itself apart by encouraging its management team to become not only product experts but also outstanding public speakers. This approach led to an impressive increase in the company’s visibility, with its name and leaders frequently appearing at industry events. The initiative helped Crown Life build a reputation for having the best training, speakers, and events, making the company highly attractive to sales agents and clients alike. Despite being one of the smaller firms, Crown Life’s bold focus on public speaking helped it achieve market dominance, particularly in pension products. Rikki offers key insights into how businesses can replicate this success by investing in the speaking skills of their leadership teams.
