Turning Learnings into Collective Contributions

As a leader, how open are you to sharing your progress and setbacks?

In my experience, it is uncommon to find articles, reports, or videos that depict the ups and downs of the journey toward equity. While success stories are often highlighted, the context of what transpired beforehand and how leaders and teams reached that point is often missing, however, these narratives are crucial. They not only provide an important reflection point for leaders and teams, they serve as examples for others, and demonstrate that it’s never too late to begin anew, rebuild, or recommit—especially in the face of past harm. 

Some of the most valuable conversations I have facilitated stemmed from an organization sharing how they got it wrong, and the path that they are on to do better.  For example, in this video from Doctors with Borders (MSF) they directly confront and critique past behaviours and strategies which have reinforced harmful stereotypes and excluded the diversity of experiences and expertise with the organization. 

In the video MSF acknowledges promoting a ‘single story’ communications strategy through selective imagery of powerless victims, and selecting very specific spokespersons, namely doctors from North America or Europe deemed to be the best to communicate the impact of their work. Further, MSF explicitly names the "white saviour mentality" linking their humanitarian efforts to colonialism and neocolonialism.

From Learnings to Contribution

As leaders and teams view this video, they begin to reflect on their own individual and organizational practices, prompting questions like:

• How does colonialism and neocolonialism show up in our work and actions?

• Are we valuing and highlighting the expertise and contributions from the diversity of our workforce?

• How accurately do our communications represent the diversity of the communities we serve?

• What progress and lessons learned can we share when it comes to equity and inclusion? 

  
  

You can contribute to equity practices by sharing a more complete picture of the journey: what worked, what hasn’t worked, what was hard, course corrections, and what change was needed – in other words, the complete story. By openly sharing these narratives, organizations not only foster greater transparency but also inspire others who are on similar paths, knowing that challenges are part of the process and that perseverance leads to progress.

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Chanel Grenaway & Associates Inc. is committed to helping leaders, staff teams and boards align with their anti-racism and inclusion goals through continuous learning and practice change. Do you need support to start or accelerate your equity practice and outcomes? Happy to hop on a call with you to see how I might help. Let’s chat.