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Like many of us, these past several weeks I’ve found myself preoccupied with the headlines. All that’s going on in our country—and around the world—can activate a series of emotions spanning from worry and uncertainty to hope and optimism. Through it all, I’ve been reminding myself that now is not a moment to turn inward; it’s a moment to connect and learn from one another.
As we look across the table at family, friends, and colleagues, we must do so with open minds and hearts, a renewed willingness to listen and understand, and a brave insistence for the same in return.
We must all explore our intellectual curiosity because, in our current climate, there is an interest in pursuing clicks and views over truth and fact. Social media echo chambers only amplify viewpoints and perspectives we agree with and reinforce political and social divides.
When we take the time to gain new knowledge, we are exposed to new perspectives and lived experiences that help us build understanding and empathy.
Perhaps most important of all, we are reminded of our shared humanity and that each individual deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We are able to reflect on how we can be better allies to one another and address the inequities that exist in and out of the workplace.
And in a moment when some are trying to portray our community as outside of what's normal or worse, harmful to a society we have been part of and built, civility and understanding must illuminate the way forward.
By navigating the discomfort that new knowledge and deeper relationships with our colleagues often offer, we can build more just and inclusive workplaces—and communities—that lead with belonging for all.
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