Video of Competency #5
If you prefer to listen and see me click here!
Written version of Competency #5
Welcome to Leading-Within Wednesdays. Every other Wednesday, I will share a little bit about one of the 10 competencies introduced in the book, Leading Wihin Systems of Inequity in Education: A Liberation Guide for Leaders of Color.
Today….
Engage in authentic dialogue.
This week we move from individual competencies to interpersonal competencies- those interactions with others that we need in our work.
The one on one conversation is something we do probably countless times a day- in person, virtual, via phone call, or text, all of these interactions may be exhausting dependent on the subject and who is the person you are engaging with.
Engaging in authentic dialogue as a leader of the global majority is important because it helps us engage with others who exhibit characteristics of white dominant culture such as “fear of conflict” and “defensiveness.”
This competency comes with an extensive list of strategies because we talk to others so often but often times they are not successful. Why? Not listening, not understanding, not connecting, unclear purpose, and so on…
If we place value and purposeful energy in our conversations, we can leave every one of them with a better understanding of each other.
Some reflections questions to help you think about this competency:
How have your approaches to conversations evolved over time?
Considering the value of engaging in conversation, who is the person or persons who would be most helpful in widening your lens to experiences you need to learn more about?
More explanation of this competency, how to practice it, and additional reflection questions and resources are in Chapter 5 of the book.
In closing…
If you started reading the book, here are a few ways you can spread the word:
Post about the book on social media using the hashtag #leadingwithin. Even better if it includes a picture of you WITH the book!
Host a book club with your affinity/ERG group. Two study guides are also available on the ASCD website - one for leaders of color and one for white co-conspirators that are perfect to start a group conversation. For book clubs with participants who have purchased and committed to reading the book, please reach out to me so I can support your journey!
Connect with me to speak to your organization or group about topics covered in the book, like ‘practicing love and rage’, ‘building a coalition’, and ‘taking a stand’.
Go to Amazon and rate or review the book there! Reviews are a great way for others to see that this book is worth the time to read.
Thank YOU so much for all of your support!
See you next time when I give a brief preview into Competency #6: Attend to Relationships.
If this is your first time reading, please go back and read my Introductions post.
Thanks for stopping by! Let me know what you think. If you like it, please share it with your network!