Not all thought leaders are immediately recognized, many are disregarded at first.

Peter Arvai
Not all thought leaders are immediately recognized, many are disregarded at first.
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Challenging the Status Quo: Peter Arvai 

October marks US LGBT History month, giving us the opportunity to celebrate the impact of the LGBT community and its extraordinary leaders. Peter Arvai, co-founder and CEO of Prezi, has shown remarkable leadership in his push against the status quo, taking some revolutionary steps. In 2010, in response to the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary, Prezi was the first company that advanced in the Budapest Pride Parade. In this week's quote, Arvai reflects his transformative leadership through his words, speaking up about the importance of continuing despite adversity: 

Peter Arvai: "Not all thought leaders are immediately recognized, many are disregarded at first. Great thought leaders have the fortitude to keep moving forward in the face of adversity because they see the value [they] can bring to society in the long run."

Trailblazer for Diversity and Change 

As the sole openly gay CEO in Hungary, Arvai has strived to create supportive communities in the workplace in which individuals can feel comfortable being open about their differences and embrace differences. In addition to Prezi being the first company in Hungary to attend the Budapest Pride march, Arvai also co-founded the NGO We Are Open along with Google and espell. This organisation champions openness in the workplace, forming a model for over 900 companies across Europe. 

Arvai takes public opportunities to create change, often speaking out about his experience as a gay man. Notably, Prezi was showcased on the cover of Forbes. Arvai leveraged this huge opportunity to create open discourses and support the Hungarian LGBTQ+ community through his coming out, creating a more comfortable, supportive environment for others to do the same. 

Arvai reflects on the importance of pushing through adversity in his quote, undoubtedly reflecting his own leadership journey, having started conversations and broken barriers. Despite the sometimes challenging and unwelcoming environment Arvai found himself in, he pushed on with the aim of creating open workplaces that celebrate diversity. He moved on with purpose, seeing the 'value [he could] bring to society'. Arvai's quote is a reminder that great leaders often experience disregard but persevere despite this. 

Leadership Grounded in Openness and Perseverance 

Arvai's quote resonates with the concept that great leaders are often not rewarded immediately for their efforts: change can take time and energy. As a leader, he urges us to not be disheartened by this but to speak out for what we believe in, even though others may not do the same. Being disregarded should not stop us from persevering in the directions we believe are right and valuable. Arvai's words remind us that leadership is often a continuous, ongoing journey and that perseverance is what makes us leaders that can change society for the better. 

This aligns closely with the Laidlaw values of being #Ambitious and #Determined. Being ambitious means pushing beyond the status quo to strive for what we believe in. Determination allows us to carry on in the face of adversity, when we are not recognised for our work. It means having the strength to carry on even when we might not immediately feel the rewards. 

A Call to Reflect

As we celebrate LGBT History Month and take a moment to consider Peter Arvai's leadership, let’s ask ourselves: how can we find ways to push on in the face of adversity? Do we have a greater purpose for persevering in the face of challenge? We won't always be rewarded for speaking up about what we believe is right, or for taking action. However, keeping in mind the broader purpose of our efforts can help remind us of the impact we make. 

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