My cousin betrayed me, and it took a change of heart to forgive.
I was about ten-years-old before paying attention to music. My cousin, Crystal, is a few years older and introduced me to the world of country music. Kenny Rodgers, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton, and Alabama were well-worn records in my collection. We were country music fans, and nothing was going to challenge this loyalty.
Read More
Break is an action verb. A decision was made to embrace a commitment and the same decision to end the commitment.
This inquiry arose out of a discussion with a family member a year ago. She had been leading a nonprofit for several years and grown the influence over her tenure. The Board of Directors brought in a new Director that wanted to go in a new direction, and she was fired.
Read More
Company websites will tout race and gender diversity information to recruit employees and win customers. The TV news reflects the continuing American struggle for racial equality and diversity.
Students do not equally pursue computer sciences across racial and gender lines. Since 2014, Gallup and Google have teamed up to understand the contributing factors that continue to drive this trend. I attended a Mastermind group that was best described as, "stale, pale and male." It was a pleasure to see someone other than an older, white guy engaged in conversation.
These are the most common diversity discussions. What are the other conversations that need to be brought out into the open for a broader discussion?
What is the impact of diversity on science? Ph.D. candidate, Kellie Owens questioned, "do diversity program directors seek to increase diversity in science because of political motives, [...] or because they believe that racially diverse workforces will produce better science?"
Ms. Owens found the diversity program directors were split between whether a diverse community made the science better. All directors fought for diversity; the question was about the impact on the scientific results. The argument against the impact of diversity was to say that science is "blind" and the skin color of the person running the experiment would not change the outcome.
How does your local club, church, or synagogue resemble your community? Often the group we surround ourselves with, look and sound much like the one we greet each morning in the mirror. If we are outwardly focused and seeking to impact society, then drawing from society must be on the to-do list.
A friend mentioned businesses often overlook the benefits of diversity of thought. He has found new ideas and innovation emerge from a mix of experiences, backgrounds, and education.
We have an opportunity to reflect and consider what ways our lives are homogeneous. Keeping the status quo will at best, maintain the current state of affairs. Change and a pinch of pain are part of the process of radical growth.
Going Further: What other pockets of diversity need to emerge from the shadows? What is one step you can take to broaden the diversity discussion? Who can you tag team with to bring about change? What question was missed?
We hate change and embracing diversity demands change.
It is easier to keep an arm's length from those that are different. I don't need to learn a new language, experience another culture, or expand my group of friends. No need to spend time adjusting my preconceived notions that may have been slightly askew.
The effect goes beyond trying a new restaurant.
As the foundations of apartheid in South Africa began to crumble, the white minorities in authority, were to realize a loss of power, influence, and wealth. As much as the progressives wanted the grievous practice to end, there was apprehension about how diversity would be embraced across the country. In a single day, the black majority embraced diversity with the white minority, as equal.
The Palestinian father's stomach is knotted as his youngest daughter, with fingers interlaced, pulls her Israeli boyfriend up the front walkway.
As the father in Fiddler On The Roof, Tevye, struggles with changing times and reminisces about the importance of tradition. Diversity pushes its way into the family by the love interest of each daughter. After all, this is how he has seen the world all his life, and now things are changing.
There will always be some new frontier that society will push to embrace as the next level of diversity. Your sure footing will be loosened by the interconnected world coming to your doorstep. Constant change is here to stay.
Going Further: How has a call to diversity arrived on your doorstep? How have you struggled to embrace diversity? What has been one benefit to diversity?
The promise of lifelong childhood friendships rarely last. This pledge, the secret handshakes, and stories of first love are set aside as our circle of friendship expands beyond our city block.
The pain is excruciating the first time we learn our best friend will be moving. A parent's new job, the need for a new school district, a divorce, or a thousand other reasons, never resolve the pain. Technology makes it easier to keep in touch, but if you are out-of-site, then out-of-mind follows.
How do you define your circle of friends?
- Is location a primary driver? A new school, new job, or new home?
- Does your financial situation support friendships you couldn't previously afford?
- Religious, political, or cultural affiliations often draw solid lines of who is in the circle of friendship and who would never be permitted.
How have you made new friends when there has been a change?
We have one life, a finite amount of time, and our friendships are our choice. Those who we choose to spend our time with, our most precious possession must be a blessing.
Do you have a particular friend that steers you in a direction that is not healthy? Is it time for a change?
Shirley has been a carhop at the Keller's Drive-In hamburger joint, in Dallas Texas, for 51 years. I asked Shirley what kept her carhopping at Keller's so long, and she replied, "nothing changes and that's just the way I like it." Looking around this favorite local eatery, I had to agree; it didn't look like much had changed in 50 years.
The dream is to work with organizations that encourage delivering your best work via your gifts and talents. Rarely is it a perfect match and compromises are made to fit into the existing team.
I respect those who have a healthy self-awareness; knowing their strengths and weaknesses. This awareness supports the ability to discern how to respond when asked to change and bend to the organizational needs.
If the requested change is a skill worth learning and added to the professional toolbox, then it is worth pursuing change. If the new direction is not in alignment with the true self, a decision is in order. Do you compromise on your strengths or reject the decree, and go in a new direction? Author, Derek Sivers wrote that we should enthusiastically say "Hell Yes," or "No" to any decision. Sober self-awareness is a helpful guide.
I am an optimist and find joy in all kinds of work. Primarily focusing on the silver lining and how it could work out vice conducting a sober assessment of the opportunity. I can be slow to listen to self-awareness due to fear of missing out on the next rung of the ladder and attempt to be something I am not.
Embracing a challenge and pursuing growth is good. Bending is ok, but contorting and breaking is painful.
The self-aware are comfortable with the uncertainty of pursuing meaningful change. Adhering to self-imposed boundaries offers the freedom to say "hell yes" or "no" with confidence.
Shirley has decided to live the life of a carhop, proficient in a job that offers little change and doesn't challenge her boundaries. I am getting better at discerning when to evolve, bend or pass. What is your story?