Change is an "Inside Out" Job

#Change never starts from the outside in. Think about it. If your organization desires to make "real" impact in the world, then you cannot look at a good cause and just jump in or throw money at it without examining "why" you are taking action. If you do not do this first, then your deeds, while nice, will only have a temporary impact on issues that require long-term commitment. Let me take this a bit further.  

As an organization, did #Black #Lives #Matter before things escalated or after? If shareholder returns are at risk, will you continue to reduce/cut CSR funding because it is “non-essential” (it does not align with why you do business) or will you look for other ways to responsibly protect stakeholder value? Will people on your Diversity, Equity and Inclusion councils continue to have meetings where they are complaining about inaction by senior leaders to support the organization’s social good or will their energy be spent strategizing and executing on work that demonstrates an extension of your corporate commitment to societal equity?

(In my head I understand why we have DEI councils, but in my heart, I am saddened. If we do the right thing by people, we would not need special committees. This is a direct indicator that as an organization your “why” is called into questio. Just to be clear, I am NOT telling you to disband or defund your DEI councils).  

What I am saying is issues that plague the very fabric of our relationships, companies, judicial system, and nation will never change unless our “why’s” are coming from a place of love, humility, kindness, and a commitment to the well-being of our fellow man. And yes, you can exhibit these behaviors as an organization and still be profitable!

Listen, I am not foolish enough to believe that every person or institution rooted in systemic racism will change. However, I do believe some will, and they will be the very ones who spearhead some of the greatest change we will experience in the world! I am hopeful in that way, and I encourage you to be a living example of love in action. You will never know if your behaviors will be the seed or water that is fertilizing a new way of being in the hearts of others. For the rest of us, we need to ground ourselves in why we do what we do so that our daily actions clearly indicate to observers that injustice towards anyone is unacceptable, and we will no longer play the role of silent spectator!

In conclusion, let us who are dedicated to “unrelentless transformation” start with some serious self-reflection. After all, how can we drive authentic, lasting change in our organizations if we cannot nurture change in ourselves?

“In the seat of man’s heart is the “why” of his being” ~ Sabrina Smith, 8/24/20