Disappointment - How to get more out?
Marteka Swaby
Founder & Mental Health Expert | Coaching, Consulting & Healthcare Advisory
Do you often feel disappointed in yourself or others?
Last week in our People Leaders discussion, one of my colleagues quoted;?
‘The absence of deserved recognition is resentment’
Working in an organisational context I am often asked to dream up simplistic, institutionalised solutions to help people leaders manage complex day to day problems.
My response, often goes along the lines of ‘lets think about that’ as we ponder what ‘good might look like’
As I quickly become the object of disappointment! After all, I am also disappointing!
Systems that allow us not to engage in emotional thinking actually perpetuate harm and as I go along with this less in my work and call out the absence of recognition.
I experience more feelings of disappointment........
And, it really got me pondering about my own behaviour, and some of the behaviours I often see - What does the absence of deserved recognition look like for me?
Get More Out!
As we start Black History month and the usual placards, tokenism and awareness campaigns to celebrate black history commence.
I realise to endure, engage or reach beyond disappointment is part of this journey.
?? Still not enough black female senior leaders staring back at me!
?? The hate campaigns against Kwasi Kwarteng not being black enough (whatever that is)
?? Being approached for black history month to speak for free! (8 figure plus turnover & 1000’s of employees), but NO budget to support black employees!
??Stand-alone DEI professionals (usually diverse women) who have become invisible & retreat inside themselves because this is often their only defence mechanism after being the lone voice on topics that are everyone’s business!!!
?? Women of colour speaking up or advocating in a meeting and no-one responds. (BTW you are not too sensitive, neither are you imagining it) it is a put down and it’s really exhausting!
Detours deliver?the best outcomes!
While we wait for the structures that perpetuate slavery and dehumanisation to be dismantled or overthrown!!!
I wonder if it is time to reimagine our own narratives on the experience of disappointment?
Perhaps, the avoidance of disappointment is what leaves us with the feelings of resentment, disconnected from ourselves and others.
Because, to be disappointed is to be human! But, not to be taken seriously is very painful and the silence when recognition is deserved can feel much worse.
So, how do we engage with this, to have better mental health, or lead healthier, happier teams and organisations?
I recommend the book psycho-social explorations of trauma, exclusion and violence (not for the faint hearted). From the work of Scanlon (2019) Diogenes frames disappointment like this;
'We get better at disappointment, so we are not so dis-heartened by it or tangled up in self defeat'
It this speaks to you and you no longer want to feel so disappointed or disheartened from the absence of recognition deserved, and make deeper connections with like minded people.
PS See you tomorrow at Kinship a Safe Space for diverse women. Join here
Black History Month Edition 2022 By Peju Abuchi
WE ARE NOT A COLOUR
We're not a colour
We're a revolution
Embrace us fully
And let's end this commotion!
We're not a threat
We're an inspiration
Engage with us
And let's change the constitution!
We're not weak
We were born to strengthen every generation
Come with us
To a more beautiful destination!
领英推荐
Open your eyes, your heart and your mind
You'll learn a few things that will make you more kind
And Kindness itself is a treasure to find!
The opposite of light isn’t blackness
The opposite of light is darkness
The opposite of happy isn’t blackness
The opposite of happy is sadness
The opposite of wise isn’t blackness
The opposite of wise is foolishness
The opposite of sanity isn't blackness
The opposite of sanity is madness
It's time to end the darkness!
It's time to end the sadness!
It's time to end this foolishness!
It's time to end this madness!
Open your eyes, your heart and your mind
You'll learn a few things that will make you more kind
And Kindness itself is a treasure to find
We're not a colour
We're a decision
A decision to live, to love, to endure
We're not a threat
We're an invitation
An invitation to learn, to hear, to see there’s more…
We're not weak
We are transformation
Transformation that grows through the frustration
Of half truths, little white lies and the ongoing cessation-
To rise up and shine
To enrich like red wine
To flourish without paying a fine
To dare to win and not whine
To refuse to decline like cheap wine
But to recline in the loving arms of The Divine...
Bitesize weekly content!
We hope you have enjoyed it. See you next week x
PS If you want to hang out.?Kinship is a Safe Space for Diverse Women.
The first Friday of each month to explore the intersectionality of Race & Mental Health
Join us. Please register?here
Professional Development Man. & Trainer| Andragogy Facilitator | L&D Enthusiast | LinkedIn ??Top Voice | Speaker | DEI Ambassador | Change Agent | Certified Interview Coach | Instructional Designer | Culture Carrier
2 年Wow! Wow! Wow! I read the first two paragraphs and almost came to tears, as I saw myself in much of what was said. You’re doing some great things for black women, Marteka. Thank you!
Founder & Mental Health Expert | Coaching, Consulting & Healthcare Advisory
2 年Peju Abuchi MA MHFA