The agenda for last Friday’s Leadership Community Zoom was to pool our answers to the question “Where Are We Now?”
After we said good bye, I organized my notes and scheduled up this post. It was due to go out this morning. But when I looked at it last night, it was already outdated.
I had written about how it was apparent we’ve entered a new stage of the pandemic. The initial shock seemed to be over. People have become somewhat accustomed to being home. Routines were emerging out of the chaos. There was a sense it’s time to move forward.
Disruption upon disruption
While all that’s still true, another layer of disruption has been introduced. The death of George Floyd at the hands of police has disrupted the pandemic.
Protests against anti-Black racism have swept the globe and gained a lion’s share of public consciousness. If you think I’m overstating it, consider this. I just got off a Zoom meeting with three of my writing peers. One’s in California, another in Scotland, another in Sweden. Instead of discussing writing, we all spoke about how each of us is considering our way forward. So this time is the last time.
In case you’re wondering, we are all white.
Get used to asking and answering big questions
No one has all the answers. It’s a balancing act, one we don’t have to do on our own. Seek out a community to engage with. Honest, empathetic conversations create clarity and keep us true to our moral compass.
Seek out others’ perspectives. Voices from people who look and sound different than you. We aren’t being asked to become keyboard cowboys. We are being asked to become more aware. To finally see we are part of a system that we don’t think about until it’s gone too far.
By asking questions, sharing perspective, and taking sustained action, we will become better leaders for the people we serve.
📷 Path to the Cliffs, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, California 2008
The next Free Community, Connection & Coaching Zoom is Friday, June 12 at 10 am EDT. If the idea of engaging with a community of leaders resonates with you, come check it out!
