The Greg McKeown Podcast 2. What's Essential: Deep Listening with Dean Helen Williamson
Jun 22, 2020
Greg interviews Dean Helen Easterling Williams, the first African-American woman to hold a dean position at Pepperdine University, offering a candid discussion on race and identity. They delve into the emotional challenges of leadership and the invisible labor often overlooked in academia. Dean Williams emphasizes the importance of deep listening and authentic communication in fostering understanding. The conversation also highlights the psychological impacts of historical injustices and the need for genuine dialogue to drive systemic change in communities.
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The Burden of Partial Existence
- Black individuals often feel pressure to hide a part of themselves in predominantly white environments.
- This can lead to a feeling of living a "schizophrenic" life, constantly code-switching to fit in.
Constant Code-Switching Is Exhausting
- Dean Williams suggests that this constant code-switching can be exhausting.
- Black individuals often feel like they are "walking on eggshells" in many social situations.
Condescension in the Airport
- Greg McKeown recounts an experience in an airport where he observed a subtle but condescending interaction.
- A white man spoke to a Black worker in a way that felt polite on the surface but revealed an underlying power dynamic.