Tough times for justice, equality, inclusion, and hope these days.

With the "anti-woke" attack on DEI, I was wondering how my friend Keith Edwards was doing these days.

His practice is one of "aspiring allyship" — how we can all come together to learn and grow, and work for our collective liberation from all forms of tyranny and discrimination.

Are businesses, cowering before the Trump/Musk onslaught, running away from diversity, equity and inclusion as fast as they can?

Turns out, no.

Because these factors are critical to any business that wants to thrive in these turbulent times.

As Keith points out, diversity isn't the opposite of meritocracy; it's the only way to get the right people into the right positions.

And unlike the performative wokeness that spasmed through society in the wake of George Floyd's murder and the peak of the Black Lives Matter movement in summer 2020, companies that are bringing Keith in now are serious about making their organizations better. No more eye-rolling CEOs and checked-out senior managers.

One of the ideas that Keith really hammers home is this: equity benefits everyone, not just marginalized groups.

The things that really make our lives worthwhile — freedom, dignity, love, joy — aren't in short supply. 

In fact, the more of these that you have, the more that I can have as well.

Leadership around these issues requires soul-searching, humility, a willingness to change and grow, and mindful presence.

I shared my own struggles to become a useful ally with Keith, who shared some of his own "embarrassing moments," and pointed out that we're all "wildly unfinished," and as long as we're open, we can still act with integrity and power.

Here are the takeaways that AI thought worth recording:

• Hope is a practice, not an emotion.
• Joy is a renewable resource that can be cultivated.
• Equity involves recognizing and removing unfair barriers.
• Allyship is about action, not identity.
• Being effective is more important than being right.
• Corporate language around DEI is shifting, but the work continues.
• The murder of George Floyd highlighted systemic issues in society.
• We are all works in progress and can change our perspectives.
• Helping marginalized groups ultimately benefits everyone.
• It's essential to recognize that joy and freedom are abundant resources. When we act for the collective, we are also benefiting ourselves.
• Mindfulness helps leaders stay grounded and centered.
• Slowing down can be a powerful leadership tool.
• Recognizing reactivity is the first step to choosing responses.
• Unlearning harmful beliefs is a gift to oneself.
• Aspiring allyship requires self-reflection and humility.
• Feedback should be seen as a gift for personal growth.
• Our liberation is interconnected with others' liberation.
• Performative actions can lead to genuine change over time.
• Creating accessible pathways for equity is essential.

Links

KeithEdwards.com

Keith's newsletter

Keith's YouTube channel

Aspiring Allyship program

"Riding Shotgun Down the Avalanche," by Shawn Colvin

"The Big Payback" episode of Atlanta

The Book of Joy, by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu

The Lawn Sign Commitment study

The Serviceberry, by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Cloud Cult

Tokyo Vice