Silence in Leadership Practice

While we are on the topic of critical inquiry and the importance of asking potent questions such as “Whose voice is missing?” and “Who is being silenced?” We must also acknowledge that many leaders also find themselves the silenced ones in their organizations. The complex quandary of having power and authority as a leader yet also negotiating being marginalized and targeted daily—well, it certainly is a delicate road to travel. Yet, so many do it every day.???

I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood. -Audre Lorde

In many homes and classrooms, children are taught the importance of standing up, even if they are the only ones. From a very young age, many of us also receive messages that our voices aren’t valid or welcomed.?The need for critical inquiry runs deep for humans across the lifespan.

There will be times as a leader when you simply won’t know that someone or some perspective is being silenced in your community or that a question even needs to be asked.? I love that this position demands that we maintain a deep level of comfort with not always knowing what we don’t know.??

There is an importance of not knowing what to do!

This is when an authentic community can save the day. When leaders prioritize healthy doses of perspective-taking, radical truth-telling, and learning from marginalized worldviews and take daily steps to keep those conversations centered at every organizational gathering, Board meeting, policy development effort, and lesson taught, we can say that our leadership practice is moving towards inclusivity.

Audre Lorde also reminds us that our silence won't protect us. Being an inclusive leader is a tall order. It takes more than a class or even lived experience. It is a daily practice of integration, getting out of the way, empowering others to speak, and speaking into the daily silences around us.?