Embracing Equality

Embracing Equality.

International Women’s Day is a global day to highlight the inequality still so lacking in our world for women. I am not a fan of the concept of these ‘one day’ campaigns. I am not sure how much they help or hinder the progress required. It should be embedded in our everyday lives, but I respect that change only happens through global movements and a united approach.

How can we embrace equality ?

It starts with something very simple.

Embracing the similarities

Whether we share a job title, the same skills, experience, and knowledge or the way we walk, talk, and act, we must respect, admire, and celebrate these similarities. To create equality and freedom of choice for the people of the world we must approach our outlook from the same place, not one of comparison. We must shine a light on our shared hopes, dreams, and goals.

Learn to embrace what may feel like imitation, as what it is intended – endorsement and flattery. I’ve been inspired by so many people along the way. I hope to inspire those coming behind me. What kind of world do we want to promote if we can’t look to others for inspiration? We must encourage aspiration of others – aspire to be like someone you admire and respect. Look to the people who are changing the world and try to emulate them. They need us to help them, there is a lot of shit to change so emulating those brave enough to do it must be embraced.

My childhood hero was Nadia Comaneci, the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 ! Through high school my English teacher Mrs. Main was my inspiration. Professionally my inspirations go back almost 20 years and were the people who challenged and trusted me, a standout being a Manager from my time with Save The Children Scotland, Jain Macintyre. In more recent years it has been people like Fi McPhee, Lynne Wester, Abby Clemence, Shanelle Clapham, Shelly Miraka Davies, Alicia McKay, Simon Scriver, John Lepp, Ken Burnett, Alan Clayton, Steven Moe, Laya Vasudevan, Sue McCabe, Alecia Hancock, Tim Pare, Kaye Maree Dunn and Susan Barker are just some of the MANY people that continue to inspire me.

Right now my daily source of inspiration comes from my colleague and friend Esha Blade who reminds me everyday to keep my courage cup topped up ! (Thank you e hoa ! )

Admire our individual uniqueness

As much as we should embrace the things we have in common, it’s important to be true to yourself. Being unique is yours and yours only. But why do so many people find it hard to be unique, to stand out from the crowd? Fear. Fear of being seen as different. Fear of being seen as attention seeking. Fear of being judged. To create equality, we must celebrate and encourage being unique.

Sharing the love

We all have our goals, internally and externally. We all have life experience, skills, and knowledge that make us valuable humans. Whether it is in your role as a member of the team, a leader, manager or an industry ‘expert’, there are enough people in the world for us all to reach those that we need and want to reach, without feeling we have to be bigger, better or louder than others doing the same thing. Love the fact there is more of ‘you’ helping to make the same change. Make it a safe and supported space for your peers.

Admire boldness and bravery

When something or someone new comes along, welcome it/them with open arms and a warm heart. Don’t knock people for doing something new. Don’t get caught up in ‘perspective’ – look at the intent. Most of us just want to make the world a better place, we want to share our skills,?our knowledge and most importantly our experiences. Experience cannot be taught, bought, or manufactured. Experience is how we progress as humans. It’s how we keep doing better. From leadership challenges, internal conflicts, human conflict, trauma, being a parent, being a friend, making mistakes, all this stuff is a rich source of the most valuable ways to learn. Sharing your knowledge and experiences is hard. Putting your whole self out there is hard. You know it’s hard. Stand side by side with your bold, brave friends, connections, and peers.

Don’t be ugly

Let’s go back to basics – just don’t be an ass**** when it comes to being a decent human. Success can change people, the desire to dominate is ugly.

Be a genuine friend, build real relationships that weather time. Nobody likes fair-weather friends – someone who is friendly, helpful, or available only when it is advantageous or convenient to be.

If you are successful, help others achieve success. Lift them, promote them, share in their success. Offer advice, offer to help them. Ask them if they are ok. Ask how you can help. Ask how you can collaborate and work together.

Just keep it classy and be part of creating equality, not part of inequity.