Straight Talk: Inequity, Football, and the Frustration of Inconsistency

So, I was having this chat with a CEO about racial inequity in her organization. The conversation? Well, it took a detour into everything but racial inequity—regulations, other industries, you name it. I listened, then dropped a question that cut through the noise: "If all those things are true, then shouldn't these negative outcomes hit everyone the same, regardless of race? Why is it worse for Black people?"

Silence followed.

That silence spoke volumes, mirroring a bigger societal issue we often sidestep. Now, let me draw a parallel here, not to equate, but to make a point using something less charged—football. Last week, the Kansas City Chiefs got a raw deal with a missed pass interference call. Fast forward to this week, and they get a touchdown pulled back for a toe over the line.

Frustrating, right?

But this article isn’t about football being as serious as racial injustice. It’s about using a simpler scenario to highlight a bigger issue: inconsistency.

Points to Ponder: Six Takeaways

1. Inconsistency Breeds Frustration:

Look at the Chiefs. One week, a glaring error is overlooked. The next, a tiny mistake gets punished. That’s maddening. And it’s not just in sports. In healthcare, education, every industry—this inconsistency is there. When you change your story to suit the moment, that’s not just unfair, it’s part of a bigger, flawed system.

2. Silence is Louder Than Words:

Back to that CEO meeting. The silence following my question? It was deafening. It's like in football—sometimes what’s not said or done says everything. Whether it’s overlooking a penalty or avoiding the hard talks about race, the outcome is the same: people feel overlooked and undervalued. When this happens, tempers explode.

3. Change the Narrative:

We need to stop shifting narratives. Now, let’s talk about those commentators. One week, their take is “let the players play” to justify no calls by the refs. The next week? They’re all in on a call that arguably had a minimal impact on the play. What do you expect to happen if this sort of thing occurs over and over again?

4. Accountability is Key:

Whether it’s a referee in a football game or a CEO in a boardroom, accountability matters. Own your decisions. If a call is missed or a policy fails, acknowledge it. It’s about being transparent and building trust by making amends. Dodging responsibility just fuels the fire of frustration.

5. It’s Not Just About the Big Moments:

In football, as in life, it’s not always the big, game-changing moments that count. It’s the small, everyday decisions that build up over time. Overlooking the small stuff can lead to bigger issues down the line. Consistency in the little things matters.

6. Empathy Goes a Long Way:

Understanding where someone is coming from can change the game. I cannot help but wonder what could be if the refs were on television after the game explaining the inconsistencies. Would there be penalties for comments that are fiery? In the corporate world, understanding the experiences of employees, especially those from marginalized communities, can lead to fairer, more equitable policies.

Listen, I know comparing the Chiefs' games to institutional racism is a stretch? I know, it's not the same scale. But here’s the thing – the irritation with inconsistencies in a football game can help us grasp why people get so mad about racial injustice. It's about being treated unfairly, time and again, and feeling like the system’s stacked against you. Whether it's on the field or in the boardroom, we’ve got to call out these inconsistencies. I like to call inconsistency something else—HYPOCRISY. I believe in Extreme Ownership and empathy cannot rest on a bed of hypocrisy.

And for those of you who switch up your narrative when it suits you? You’re not helping. We’ve got to do better, in sports, in business, everywhere. Because at the end of the day, fairness isn’t just a rule of the game; it’s a rule of life.