The Race Conversation: 5 things that can help

If you’re like most of the leaders I’m talking with these days, you’re probably asking yourself: What’s the best way to talk about race?
 
According to Kendra Q. Dodd, founder of Fulfil-2B, who was our conversation starter at the July Executive Women’s Change Leadership Roundtable, there is no cookie cutter approach.
 
We will always feel like we don’t know enough.
 
As our society evolves, diversity, inclusion and belonging definitions are evolving within our organizations.
 
It is easy to stand behind the fear.
 
To muster the courage to get out from behind the fear, here are a few things to think about.

1. It starts with me. There are many ways to learn about race.
   • Read about the history of race.
   • Watch the documentaries.
   • Listen to podcasts.
2. The heart is what makes the change. Not the head.
   • Employ empathy.
   • Pay attention to your own feelings and process them.
   • Hold the intention for connectivity instead of division.
3. Explore definitions of words that relate to diversity and race.
   1. Learn the definitions of words and the heart of the meaning.
   2. Be willing to explore what the definitions mean, while in conversations with others.  
   3. Remember words have the power to make and trigger emotional connections or disconnect.
4. Learn about the difference between Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging.
   • Diversity=being invited to the table.
   • Inclusion=being invited into the conversations at the table.
   • Belonging=Feeling included enough to actively change the conversations.
5. Be cognizant of the assumptions you hold about people of a race different from yours.
   • They are struggling with the conversations, too.
   • Don’t expect them to be the ones to educate you. Do your own homework.
   • Share your own experiences and be curious to understand the experiences of others.

During our recent Roundtable, it was apparent that we all were interested in learning more about leading diversity conversations. And aware of how much more there is to learn.
 
We all are diverse in many different ways. Our diversity makes life vibrant and interesting. The challenge for us as leaders now is to lead in a way that integrates inclusion and belonging into our strategies and our everyday actions.
 
I’m continuing to develop programming to help us as leaders take deliberate actions that make inclusion and belonging a way of life for ourselves and our organizations.
 
Reach out to me to learn more.

Until next time,
Dr. Rita
612-598-6614 
Rita@wiseleader.net 
www.WiseLeader.net

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