A Call to CEOs and Leaders: It's Time to Go All In

Four hundred thousand years of humanity, skin color, one of a thousand differences in each other, continues for so many to be a cause for unjust treatment, even a reason for murder. We have gone from riding horses to flying planes to operating a helicopter on Mars, all that in just over a hundred years.  

Of course, mistreatment, unfairness, injustice, and inequity are not exclusive. These also happen all of the time due to gender identity, language, religion, disability… and unfortunately, the list goes on. And so many groups have and will have moments that pique our attention and offer opportunities to accelerate, elevate, and drive change. I believe #Metoo, BLM, Stop Asian Hate, the fight for Transgender Rights, and other movements to defend, enable, and protect historically underestimated or under-represented or mistreated groups have a network effect. Improvements in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (and Justice) for one group will improve it to some extent for all of them. As one garners attention, most of the tools and steps to drive change favor others, too. In our continued need to move dramatically forward, it’s vital that we seize momentum moments for each group as they occur (and create moments when they don’t). The network effect will benefit all these groups. The work of equality and equity spreads far and wide, touches all of us, and needs to be worked in every facet of our organizations and culture.  

Today's moment is the George Floyd murder trial. Today we are focused on racism against the Black community, our friends, peers, co-workers, partners, bosses, spouses, children, parents, and everyone you see and don't in your daily life. 

Here are more truths (not mine, just truths) worth digesting:

• The long march to freedom, fairness, and (one day) equity has been remarkably peaceful, at least on the side of the marginalized Black community who were part of, or inherited, a history of enslavement. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s peaceful resistance is one example, but representative of this remarkably peaceful resistance of 150 years. The more recent protests in this latest movement for racial equality are extraordinary for their peacefulness, too. And all this in spite of the violence and aggression too often perpetrated against the Black community. Applause and thanks is hardly enough of a response. Respect, admiration, and commitment to rapid improvement now are a must.
• The work for fairness should not be the work of those being mistreated. It is the work of everyone, everyone who wants what is right and fair. But it's especially, ESPECIALLY, the work of CEOs, Organization Presidents, political leaders. Each one of those leaders must play a 'from the front', hands on, and relentlessly explaining and demonstrating role in this movement. If you're any of those and you feel 'kind of in', it's time today to go all in. You have the power. You have the responsibility. You have the momentum. Use it to make a step change, long term difference.
• That is not to say that only these leaders should act. It's time for compassion. As Karine Bah Tahe, Founder of Blue Level Training, a DE&I training organization, reminded me, "Last week was one of the hardest, the Black community felt such pain and we felt alone in our pain. No matter how hard you try, you cannot completely understand what it is like to be a BIPOC if you are white. So accept that as another difference. And listen and care." As the attention and momentum seemed to be going in the right direction, murders by officers, confrontations by others, and nonsensical defenses are hard to see as anything but either backsliding or unconscionable "it's still okay to be racist" actions. 
• Our Black friends' unfair suffering continues. They’ve been suffering. Most are tired. Some are angry. Others are numb, protecting their sanity by disconnecting. Many feel despair. Be empathetic. Be caring. Be a listener. Be a learner. Be humble. Be there. Give them time off, time out, or your time, as they need. As a leader, don't wait to be asked, offer it. 

I’ve had many difficult conversations the past week. When I check in on how my friends are doing I most often hear, "I'm tired," "I'm angry," "I'm scared," among many other similar things. No-one has said to me, "I give up," "I am declaring war," "I hate the world." Some might feel it, but the willingness to fix this continues to be steadfast in spite of its historical pace. But now is the time for us to take serious action. Commitments, actions, accountability, results. The time to genuinely be present, active, and accountable is NOW.

Very soon the verdict on the Chauvin accusations will be decided. I am pretty sure he'll be found guilty of the worst charges possible. No matter what that verdict is, the verdict for leaders is clear: step up. Be transparent. Be honest. Be authentic. Be a protester. Be an activist. Be there. Day in and day out. In big meetings and small meetings. Speak up, reach in, and reach out for equity. Put the money in the right places to support staffing, equity, education, promotion. You know how to drive change: commitments, actions, accountability, results, repeat. This won't happen without you. It won't happen fast enough without our total engagement.