Don’t know whether to talk about race in America with your team? Maybe this helps.
Are you in a supervisory position and don’t know whether to talk about current events with your team, feel like it’s not your place to talk about it, or that you’ll get in trouble if you do? I want you to know that if you feel this way, I get it.
It’s unfortunately the norm to stay away from the education of race as whole in the workplace, but we’ve treated it as taboo for far too long. The death of George Floyd has affected our nation. Your team may be hurting and it’s important to check in.
3 Suggestions to Begin the Conversation with Your Team
- If you have an HR Department, collaborate with them. They’ll help you create a safe space for this conversation to take place.
- If you don’t have an HR Department, seek advice from a professional Diversity and Inclusion organization. Plenty of leads on LinkedIn.
- Most of all, if you want to talk about race in America with your team, have the courage to do it if you feel it’s right for your organization. Stepping into it with professional assistance will also help you set boundaries and parameters.
If we face the uncomfortable head on, it won’t be uncomfortable for much longer. We’ll probably be surprised as to how quickly we can begin to understand each other.
Who Am I?
Cassy. It’s nice to meet you. My business is new and I hire on contract for now, but the death of Mr. Floyd:
I can’t ignore it.
I refuse to ignore events like these for my future workforce.
I refuse to pretend it shouldn’t be talked about in the workplace with the help of a professional.
I mourn that the systemic inequality of our nation brings so much pain to the Black Community.
And I pledge as a 1) Human 2) Woman 3) Latina 4) Queer 5) American Business Owner to:
- Do my best to create a company that reaches across color and all lines.
- Hold space in my company when our nation faces struggles by bringing in professionals who can help talk about it.
- Powerfully succeed in my role as President and CEO, honoring all of my identities and the shoulders of historical giants in which I stand to be able to own my business today.
- Be part of rebuilding the system to include all of us equally.
Maybe this post helps, maybe it doesn’t. I’ve been trying to keep my head on my shoulders through this sadness enough to understand what I can do as the leader of my future team. I don’t need to create a Utopia. Just a solid step forward.
I welcome your comments,
Cassy Huidobro
President, Miranda Park Learning
Picture: Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels.
This text was created by Miranda Park Learning and it’s been verified as unique by Copyscape.
