Black History Month: A Time to Learn and Reflect

Black history month is an opportunity for me to learn and reflect. This past year, after launching my leadership consulting business and The Leadership Student Podcast, I am reflecting on the many black Americans who preceded me who were outstanding leaders of their day. There are many leading today, living their best life in a variety of business circles and in other domains. Our leadership is not limited to a few verticals or to sports arenas as you may be inclined to believe based on the multitude of overt examples typically covered by the media. Black leaders are anywhere and everywhere; some are leading while others are seeking opportunities to jump into leadership roles and show their stuff. Whatever the position, it's a rich history filled with any number of real world examples, all worthy of emulation.

I’ve written before on some early influences at a very young age. Leadership shows itself and can be reflected in many forms. The impact of leaders can change over time; from the immediate impact of their presence and decision making to their roles, later uncovered through historians who try to pull into full context the extent of their influence and impact. Time betrays us when we look back. Most of the time we were not there and can’t place into full context all of the unobservable factors that play a role in international and national figures and how they have impacted history. How do we really grasp or understand what it meant for these women and men to stand-up for their beliefs; provide counsel and guidance to others and at the same time lead lives full of the complexities and richness that a life offers. It can be difficult to fully comprehend.

At what age are you ready to lead a national civil rights movement? At what juncture in your personal journey is it ok for you to stand up and be vocal about your beliefs and inspire a whole generation of people to align to those beliefs because what you say represents a truth and integrity they can’t quite get from other circles. At what point in your life is it ok to put your job on the line or your very safety in an effort to evangelize your beliefs and then lead others in the strategy of obtaining rights not previously enjoyed by your community? What does it mean to answer the challenges of your time?

There are any number of figures who deserve recognition. Mostly, I am amazed by their courage. I still believe that courage has to be the MVP of leadership characteristics. In an age where courage is hardly visible in claimed leadership circles, we need to reset ourselves to what courage looks like, so that we can all understand what is needed in times that call for people to stand tall and represent the best of us.?

If you are a continuous learner and student of leadership you could deepen your leadership learning reservoir by picking up a book on the lives and experiences of some of the black leaders of our shared American History. If you are like me and there are certain periods of our history that resonate more than others; just pick a period in history and I can guarantee you that there were likely black Americans playing a role in some significant outcomes. It's Black History Month, take some time to simply learn more and keep that in your tool set.