Annise Parker is the President and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund & Institute; they endorse and financially support LGBTQ+ candidates through the Victory Fund and provide training and support to run for office and serve effectively through the Victory Institute. They also foster a network among LGBTQ+ elected officials, offering leadership programs and facilitating regular exchanges to ensure effective representation and advocacy for constituents.

Annise Parker was the first former elected official to lead the Victory Fund, serving as mayor of Houston and making history as the first openly LGBTQ+ mayor of a major American city. She gained global recognition, including being named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in 2010. Parker has also been praised for her leadership in addressing climate change and has received accolades from various organizations, solidifying her reputation as a visionary leader.

In today's episode, Annise Parker shares her journey from electoral setbacks to emphasizing the significance of listening, understanding, and direct engagement in leadership while discussing strategies for promoting LGBTQ+ representation in politics and fostering diversity and inclusion.

Takeaways:

• A leader's ability to influence and effect change stems from being an attentive listener. Understanding your audience or community's experiences and perspectives is foundational to effective leadership.
• Success often requires resilience. If you're passionate about making an impact, be prepared to face setbacks and learn from them. Your determination to get up and fight for what you want, as many times as you need, is crucial.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion must be more than performative. It should reflect your organization's core values, translated into tangible support for your team and community.
• The willingness to admit mistakes and learn from them is a strength. Saying "You were right and I was wrong" fosters personal growth and builds trust within your team and with your constituents.
• Anticipate potential criticisms and challenges to your initiatives. A prepared response or strategy allows you to remain steadfast in your mission and values, even under pressure.
• Whether in public office or leading a company, having a genuine, unwavering commitment to your goals and principles will guide you through times of uncertainty and change.
• Successful leaders are not only resilient but also adaptable. If a strategy or approach fails, be willing to analyze the reasons, learn from the experience, and adapt your tactics to meet your objectives better.

Quote of the Show:

• “You have to be a good listener to be a good influencer. You have to understand what your audience experiences.” - Annise Parker

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annise-parker-7956bb6 
• LGBTQ+ Victory Institute Website: https://victoryinstitute.org 
• LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Website: https://victoryfund.org 

Shout Outs:

• Kathy Hubbard - Annise Parker’s wife
• The City of Houston: https://www.houstontx.gov 
• Time Magazine: https://time.com 
• The City Mayor's Foundation: http://citymayors.com 
• President Obama's Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/resilience/taskforce 
• C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group: https://www.c40.org 
• The Climate Disclosure Project: https://www.cdp.net/en 
• Scenic Houston: https://www.scenichouston.org 
• Holocaust Museum Houston: https://hmh.org 
• Rice University: https://www.rice.edu 
• The Out for America Map: https://outforamerica.org 
• The CDC: https://www.cdc.gov 
• Shevrin Jones: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shevrin-jones-m-ed-916b776 
• Danica Roem: https://twitter.com/pwcdanica 
• Joel Osteen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-osteen-661bb3107 
• Fast Company Magazine: https://www.fastcompany.com 
• Chamber of Commerce: https://www.uschamber.com 
• The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com 
• Annise Parker on Wait, Wait… Don't Tell Me on NPR: https://www.npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me 
• Annise Parker on The Colbert Report: https://www.cc.com/video/67w2nh/the-colbert-report-annise-parker 
• Tom DeLay: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tom-DeLay 
• Dancing with the Stars: https://abc.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars 
• Dylan Mulvaney: https://www.tiktok.com/@dylanmulvaney 
• Everything You Need to Know About the Bud Light and Dylan Mulvaney Fiasco: https://www.them.us/story/dylan-mulvaney-bud-light-drama-explained