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When Matt Lindley was a child, he aspired to become a fighter pilot. However, his dream was almost shattered due to an outdated ban on gay people serving in the Royal Air Force. Matt had to suppress his true identity and join an organization knowing that being open about his sexuality could lead to a potential prison sentence.
Nevertheless, through his unwavering determination and self-motivation, Matt overcame these challenges and fulfilled his dream. His journey inspires, highlighting the importance of personal drive and resilience. Matt's story is that of a true leader.
He served in the RAF during a significant cultural shift, transforming from a hostile environment for gay personnel to one of acceptance and support. However, his story is not solely about coming out; instead, Matt utilizes his experiences to emphasize the advantages of fostering positive cultural change and the qualities of an inclusive leader.
Matt links his mental wellbeing, stress, reliance to performance and productively. He eventually moved to the Royal Squadron and met an inspirational leader who developed trust and inclusion. As a result when the law changed he eventually came out. His leader’s exemplary inclusive style changed his life, both personally and professionally. Matt's keynote touches on his key learnings from this time and how it has evolved his leadership style ever since.
