In our Learning Community, I’m offering a new module on Running Groups in your Business. After making a teaching video on the topic of safety in groups, I realized I needed to create an addendum on the topic of diversity.
I tried several takes, and I wasn’t able to say what I wanted. Finally, I made a take that tried to do a lot less, and offered what I think is most important to say, especially for those of us doing coaching, healing, or any kind of “transformational” work.
It’s fairly short, about 6 minutes.
Please note, I make brief reference to other parts of the Running Groups module. Just ignore those references, it’s because it’s part of that larger module.
After I made this video, I created a post on Facebook, asking folks in my network to share resources about becoming trauma and DEI-informed. I was going to try to reproduce it here, but I’m realizing that it’s an ever-growing list, and I also don’t have personal experience with many of the people listed.
But, you should have access to it! Here it is.
What comes up for you, from my very strong recommendation in this video?
With love,
Mark Silver, M.Div.
Heart of Business, Inc.
Every act of business can be an act of love.
p.s. Know someone who needs heart-centered business help?
If you’re willing, invite those folks to join our email list. Yes, we are on Facebook, and on LinkedIn, and I’m delighted to connect with people there.
And, as I always recommend to our clients, don’t let your sole connection to your audience be through a platform that someone else owns, and can make changes to without any warning.
That’s why… we love to see folks on our email list.
https://heartofbusiness.com/
2 Responses
Thanks for this important directive, Mark! And, just one caveat: even if you are very, very informed, and pretty skilled at working in diverse spaces and aware of our own racial and other blindspots, conflict and harm can STILL arise that even skilled leaders find themselves unable to navigate. I admit to being a little resistant to the idea that if we get enough education, we’ll avoid these situations in our businesses, or always know how to deal with them when they arise. People and groups are so complex. Just when I feel like I’ve got ahold of a nuanced context, bam!, I find myself baffled by how to get through another situation that’s arising. Yes, get all the education in these areas, and never ever stop. And, I want to have gentleness for all of us trying to be faithful and committed, who still find themselves surprised and working in the context of these conflicts.
Such a great point, Leslie. Yes, absolutely, we can always make mistake no matter how much education we have. These issues just cannot be resolved in the interpersonal spaces. There’s so much healing and systemic repair needed. However, it’s not hopeless! Having some knowledge and education can help one avoid the most obvious and painful pitfalls, and even when mistakes do arise, when there is skillfulness and care and humility on the part of the facilitator, I’ve experienced a lot of good faith and good will even in the messiness.