Communicating to your team as an empathetic leader: Responding to Black Lives Matter
Coaching leaders over the last month has given me an opportunity to see how and what they’re communicating in response to Black Lives Matter.
I thought it could be helpful to share some of the things I’ve noticed that seem to work, so that we can keep building on this.
How I’ve seen leaders communicating with teams about Black Lives Matter:
Sharing if this is an uncomfortable topic for them, but not focussing the dialogue on themselves/ their discomfort
Sharing their intent behind their communication
Using personal stories where they have experienced or witnessed racism. Or articles/ world events that have triggered them to notice racism and start a conversation
Acknowledging the privilege they have (including white privilege)
If they’re educating themselves, how specifically. E.g. which books/ articles/ videos/ new connections on social media.
Listening to people in their teams, discussions or surveys to gather input on what needs to change at their company
Using their platform/ position to amplify and share the voices of BAME colleagues in their teams
Sharing the personal actions they are taking to be a better ally.
