Every once in a while we get the opportunity to look at who we are being as individuals and it can be a difficult moment of awareness. Perhaps in those moments, we can go off in a room by ourselves and rethink our behavior. We can quietly ask for help from colleagues, friends or family and try out a few adjustments.
When it is a deeply ingrained, societally condoned and/or unconscious behavior, we need to bring it out into the open and work on this together. We need to change the water we swim in.
Bad police behavior is just the obvious and most dangerous manifestation of the issue. Policing is one hard job. The largest mental health “treatment” center in L.A. is the jail. We cannot fix unjust police practices, if we don’t fix the conditions that got us here. So what can we do?
Firstly, listen deeply. Read books, listen to podcasts. When we recently faced up to how much sexual abuse was really happening, it was painful for many to share their stories. It is not up to the sufferers to educate us. However, creating a space for colleagues to share their stories if they wish could clean up micro-aggressions that have been simmering and unacknowledged in the workplace.
Second, set goals. Does your organization have a diverse work force? Do you have KPI’s around hiring and retaining a workforce that matches the ethnic and gender diversity of your community? How do the senior levels of the organization look? Are there specific actions you can take this quarter?
Third, get out the vote. Let’s hear from everyone.
Fourth, as the pandemic continues, support organizations that help people survive this economic and medical crisis. Can we manage our businesses to do good as we focus on their survival?
There is much we can do to change the water we swim in. Many have been trying for a very long time. Let’s each take new or renewed steps to make a difference this week.
For more tips, look at some of my other blogs on leadership and diversity.
Image courtesy of https://blog.prosci.com/culture-and-change-management-the-water-we-swim-in