Video of Competency #6
Written version of Competency #6
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….
Attend to relationships.
In the discussion about relationships, I’m specifically talking about cross-cultural relationships. Why? Because as leaders of the global majority, we didn’t make the mess we are in so it’s not our responsibility alone to fix it. We need co-conspirators that are working alongside us.
A word of caution, some relationships can feel burdensome especially if you feel like you’re always teaching. Cross-cultural relationships only work when both parties are committed to self-interrogation, accountability, and have a clear common purpose.
Some reflections questions to help you think about this competency:
How are your current cross-cultural relationships serving your goals of creating an equitable school system?
What relationships do you need to develop to widen your lens to deepen your perspectives of cultures beyond your own?
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 #7: Create a coalition.
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!