Why police brutality against African-Americans in the USA is an issue for white CEO's in the UK

We would have all seen the disturbing images of a White Minnesota police officer kneeling on the neck of 44 year old George Floyd as he gasped for air, telling the officer "I can't breathe".

Some things you all need to know.

1. George was not resisting arrest.
2. He was unarmed.
3. He was lying on the floor in handcuffs.
4. There were four officers present.
5. This was an act of murder.

This is a message to UK CEOs and other business leaders. The first things you need to understand are three basic myths about this incident:

Myth No 1: This is an issue for the black community: Not true. The murder of George Floyd is just one more (and there have been many) example of police brutality against the African-American community. This is just one example of the daily violence black people face by men and women in uniform. Therefore this is an example of institutional racism and white privilege. It is therefore an issue for white people in power.

Myth No 2: This is a political issue and not a business issue: Not true. We live in an interconnected world where our experiences outside of work influence how we feel and perform inside of work. We as human beings can not separate our work selves from our community selves. Psychology just doesn't work that way. Today, many of your black colleagues will be feeling pain and anguish at what is happening in the US right now. Many of your white colleagues will also be looking for you to show leadership and to shout out 'not in my name' and that 'black lives matter'.

Myth No 3: This is a US issue and not a UK issue: Not true. This is a global issue. While this particular incident may have happened in the US, black people in the UK are feeling this just as much. They have loved ones living and working in the US. Family members and friends who are affected by everyday racism and white privilege. They are looking at their T.V. screens and social media posts with fear and anger, as they know that this one incident is part of a wider pandemic of global racism.

Therefore as a leader, don't let the fear of uncertainty hold you back from reaching out to your colleagues - black and white - in the middle of this crisis. You don't have to have all of the answers, but you can show leadership and allyship through some small acts of kindness and by using your voice when it matters. As a leader I'd ask you to do 3 simple things:

1. Show you care: Today - reach out to all of your colleagues - via email or newsletter, and send a simple message that says, I see what's going on. I hear the suffering and I stand behind you.
2. Listen and act: Get on Zoom, and just listen. Ask your HR colleagues to organise a virtual call with colleagues from your BME networks, so that you as a leader can hear first hand the feeling of your colleagues. Ask then what you can do to help and act. This is a key principe of collaborative and compassionate leadership.
3. Use your power network: Research out to other leaders in your network and ask then to do the same. Change happens when we all work together to achieve a common aim. You don't need to act alone.

Finally, this any feel strange. It may feel out of your comfort zone. You may want to sit back and not get involved. But as a true leader, that is no longer an option. No one said leadership was easy. But be brave and be courage. No good human will criticise you for doing that.