If you’re afraid of something, is that a warning sign or a sign of opportunity? This has been a lifelong struggle for me: risks to take versus risks to avoid. I’m not much of a daredevil. But some of my proudest moments have required taking a leap: getting married, having kids, and, yes, sticking my neck out professionally. Last week, I stood in front of a packed audience to talk about Gaza, Israel, violence and death, hate and hope. I knew not everyone in that crowd would embrace the topic or the points raised. I just didn’t think it could be ignored. I wasn’t alone. I had two business leaders with me, Erin Gore, the CEO of World Central Kitchen, and Daniel Lubetzky of KIND and OneVoice Movement. Erin got emotional talking about team members killed by Israeli rockets. Daniel critiqued Netanyahu but drew a distinction between him and Hamas. We touched on many difficult nuances. We didn’t come up with any secret answers. But we tried. We tried. I’m nervous about writing this post. I was nervous when our conversation was posted yesterday as an episode on my Rapid Response podcast. You just don’t know how people are going to react, what words and phrases are going to mean something inflammatory to someone, who you might inadvertently insult or hurt. It’s a recipe for withdrawal and silence. But I hope in broaching this, it helps others take the leap, to break down our silos and regain our compassion for and trust in each other. Thanks to those in the audience at the Masters of Scale Summit for their patience and openness last week. If you do listen to Erin, Daniel and me on the podcast (with a cameo from Palestinian businessman Ezzeldeen Masri), please be kind and forgiving—the spirit of our dialogue is about helping and healing. Thank you. https://lnkd.in/g_WXWYUu
Bob. Thank you for being the beacon and lighting the way.
Thought Leadership Trainer for Founders, Cyber, Tech. Entrepreneur. Co-founder and Community builder, DIY Influence. Storytelling, transparency, and strong statements ahead.??
1 周This session was deeply moving. Setting the stage as you did here, and at the Summit, where tone, sharing your greater why, even down to body language indicated the tenor of how we could participate, is core to our success in having difficult conversations where we can all walk away better.