Shine
15. The Hidden Power of the Shadow: The Dark Comes Before the Dawn with Jennifer Brown
My friend Jennifer Brown is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, diversity and inclusion consultant, and author. She is the author of The Inclusive Leader and host of the podcast the Will to Change. Jennifer and I speak about the importance of taking time for contemplation, reflection, and shedding of what is no longer serving our workplaces or our world. There is a hospicing of old systems and with that comes resistance, dying, and surrender.
Key Takeaways:
[:01] Carley Hauck introduces herself as the founder of Living Well Awake.
[1:40] Carley introduces today’s guest Jennifer Brown, consultant and diversity and inclusion expert, and the topics that are covered in this powerful interview.
[3:42] Jennifer explains the thought process behind her favorite quote and how it influences her efforts in leadership.
[8:28] Carley shares one of her favorite Brene Brown quotes and the permission it gives her to show up, learn, and try again.
[9:25] Inclusion doesn’t mean never making mistakes, but it does mean that you are willing to apologize and offer grace to those who have made missteps.
[12:15] Defining and separating the terms inclusion, diversity and belonging and how each one affects us.
[15:31] The four stages of the advocacy ally-continuum from unaware to accomplice.
[23:40] A sampling of the identities that Jennifer focuses on at any given time so as to not overwhelm herself with all that she’s not doing, including mental health, ethnicity, disabilities and more.
[24:24] Carley restates the four stages in the ally-continuum and shares her experiences with humility as she continues learning about inclusion and diversity.
[27:08] Jennifer offers suggestions for inclusive terms and the value of sharing pronouns.
[30:42] The courage and self-awareness that is key to moving along the ally-continuum.
[35:23] Carley offers reflection on Jennifer’s integrity, consciousness and truth-telling and her thoughts on appropriately asking questions to seek understanding.
[40:00] Challenging the story that too often leads to trauma and stress begins with finding environments where you can celebrate who you are.
[46:42] Techniques everyone can utilize when working to become an aspiring ally for other communities.
[49:22] Carley shares her experience with Vince Gugglielmetti, the Intel leader who is increasing his allyship by understanding the experiences of women leaders.
[51:00] Jennifer recommends orienting a learning plan for yourself to increase your understanding of diversity.
[54:14] Privileges, responsibilities, and opportunities that will come with the new decade has to start with more people stepping up to take part in the conversations that have been left in the shadows.
[1:02:27] Jennifer shares what she is letting go of, what she is calling in, and what she is working on in the coming year.
[1:06:41] Carley closes with an additional way to support inclusion and self-awareness with the gift of mindfulness.
Resources:
Living Well Awake 30 Days of Mindful Living
How to Be an Inclusive Leader: Your Role in Creating Cultures of Belonging Where Everyone Can Thrive by Jennifer Brown
Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out by Ruth King