Richard Quest did something at the end of his CNN International show today, that he wished he’d done yesterday.
On “Quest Means Business” Thursday, Quest spoke with John Browne, the former CEO of British oil giant BP, who resigned in 2007 after being outed as gay by a British tabloid. Browne has written about the episode, and about life as a CEO in the closet, in “The Glass Closet: Why Coming Out Is Good for Business.”
Quest wished he used that moment to discuss his own journey. Instead, he did it today. And he decided it is indeed good for his business as a business journalist.
If I remember back to when I wasn’t open about my sexuality, I spent a great deal of time worried about it…. about what my family would think, what would my friends, my colleagues would think, and of course, what would you think. Would the fact that I’m gay affect my creditability as a business journalist? Would you watch the program differently?
Thinking like this saps energy, it drains confidence, it takes a toll on productivity, it’s exhausting! I realize that everyone has their own road to travel in making this decision about when it’s right to come out. I know that in my case, the worst fears never materialized. All in all professionally, I know the work I do here every day is better because I’m honest about who I am.
About an hour later, Quest went on Erin Burnett’s show to discuss the issue. WATCH: