Purpose-Driven and Values-Led: Speaking from the Margins

Clearing Assumptions

It is easy to hear me say “I am angry” and take it to mean "I am angry all the time". It is a misinterpretation of my purpose, passions, and commitment to life. I am black. We can all do better at clearing assumptions by asking, "What have you been feeling?"

Purpose is Driven by Values

My purpose is driven by deeply held values; love and justice. Both are infinite wells that fuel me; that drive me to do and say things that challenge the status quo. Perhaps make space uncomfortable for those who say they care, love and want justice. Yet, often do not show love or meaningful movement in the direction of justice.

• Love is the value and Source that drives me. It is infinite.
• Justice is the value and Inspiration that compels me. It is infinite.

Love and justice are in an infinite loop that gives my passions unending life.

Self-Authority

Therefore, I choose to retain my self-authority and self-acceptance. To own my voice. To tether myself to purpose. To remain in the loop positioned between my deepest values, fueled by the infinite sources of drive and inspiration - even when the world around me refuses to acknowledge the systemic facts and darkness that incessantly seek to bring me harm and premature death.

What can I do?

People ask me what to do. At this point I need to say - Until the behaviors exhibited by Amy Cooper and the police officers in Minneapolis become so somatically unbearable, such that you are compelled to place your voice into the often silent void of white space, challenging the status quo, using forbidden but accurate language, risking your carefully crafted professional brand and the embrace into the warm bosom of whiteness, then this system, unloving and unjust toward black people, will remain intact. The events will continue to recycle on your watch.

On a practical note, there are mountains of resources available nowadays. They are not difficult find, if you really want to.

Leadership

I occupy many roles in the world. Four of importance are present here.

1. Professional Co-active Coach: We evoke transformation, hard change, being and doing from the inside out. 
2. Co-active Leader: We believe everyone is a leader, leaders take responsibility for their world, and leaders call others forth.
3. Relationship Systems Intelligence Leader: We believe systems are in a constant state of emergence, we reveal the system to itself,  and we ask questions like “What is trying to happen next?”
4. Family Man: My wife worries for my safety when I leave the house. She is white and has had a unique view into what it means to be a black man through her experiences in the world with me. I long for her not to worry. I have brown children. This is not the world I want for them. They deserve better. When I am asked to be silent or reserved by any jurisdiction, institution, or anyone, it is like asking me to convict and condemn my girls to a world of systemic racism, inequity, bigotry, and death. I will not.

I leave you with this from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. -

"No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

The opinions expressed are my own, and not those of PwC.