Shameless Leadership 437: Racism, Rachel Hollis, and How Leaders Truly RISE
Leadership is typically a series of imperfect action steps.
Leaders tumble, fall, and crash just like anyone else.
But when a leader tumbles, falls or crashes, there is an audience watching to see how they will stand back up, pick up the pieces, and put things back together.
When a leader crashes and harm is done to others in the wake of their errors, people watch even more closely.
When harm is done, trust is eroded. Trust is broken between the leader and anyone who was harmed, obviously. But trust is also broken between the leader and anyone who is watching if the bystanders don’t see the leader take active steps to rebuild trust with those who were harmed. Those harmed hope to be held. Those watching hope to see the leader offer protection to those hurting. This is how everyone can recover and heal and know that they are in a safe community.
Positive leadership looks like owning your mistakes and owning when you’ve caused harm without providing excuses or placing blame on others.
Positive leadership looks like having uncomfortable conversations publicly.
Positive leadership looks like recognizing your blind spots and committing to active and ongoing learning so you can see them more fully.
Positive leadership looks like inviting feedback when you have caused harm and engaging in conversation with those who are hurting.
Positive leadership looks like protecting people in your community from abuse and trauma.
Positive leadership looks like pushing pause on the day-to-day parts of your work to rebuild trust where you have broken trust.
We are all leaders - whether you are leading families, PTAs, soccer teams or companies. You are a leader.
You are going to screw up. You will crash. You will cause harm.
How will you rebuild trust after you cause harm?
Listen in to learn how leaders can do better when they cause harm, especially as it pertains to race and protecting people of color in your community. This episode is inspired by a leader who recently crashed and then opted not to protect those harmed. A community became fractured and the erosion of trust was massive. This example is a powerful example of how leaders, especially white leaders, need to do so much better.
Women of color to follow on Instagram (follow these women, buy their books, listen to their podcasts, and support their work):
Books:
- Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla Saad
- This Will Be My Undoing by Morgan Jerkins
- How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi
- So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
- I’m Still Here: Black Dignity In A World Made For Whiteness by Austen Channing Brown
- White Fragility by Robin Diangelo
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