What does "I'm not surprised..." mean for Black, Brown, and people of color leaders?
A year ago, during a casual text with a friend, we discussed the idea of refraining from using the phrase “I’m not surprised…” as our immediate response to the ongoing challenges our nation faces.
This sentiment, though simple, turned out to be layered, particularly in the context of StrivEquity Consulting LLC‘s work with these leaders. Our collaborations go beyond simply setting a vision or setting boundaries; it’s about acknowledging what we already know and honoring it 💪🌍.
At StrivEquity Consulting LLC, our specialty is coaching Black, Brown, and people of color leaders. Our Equity-Responsive Leadership (ERL) model recognizes the unique challenges these leaders encounter, including the often unspoken burden of championing equity-focused initiatives within exclusive institutions.
When these leaders say “I’m not surprised…,” it’s not a sign of surrender; it’s an expression of their profound awareness of systemic issues 🤔.
StrivEquity Consulting LLC‘s approach embraces this reality and it informs our support as we guide leaders through the seven-step ERL journey🧭. We understand that “I’m not surprised…” isn’t an indication of apathy, but rather a manifestation of wisdom.
It’s about acknowledging systemic obstacles while maintaining a commitment to progress, tailored to each leader’s unique path.
The ERL journey revolves around enhancing self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and vision, customized to the experiences of Black, Brown, and people of color leaders. Our organizational development, advisory, and speaking services are designed to amplify these stories at the institutional level, catalyzing, and operationalizing the knowledge of these leaders🌱💼.
Part of our work is to honor and harness the wisdom encapsulated within “I’m not surprised.” We collaborate with leaders to use this awareness as a source of strength, guiding them through challenges while valuing their experiences 🤝.
Let’s recognize the value in saying “I’m not surprised…”
In the work of Equity-Responsive Leadership, it signifies an acknowledgment of the unique experiences of Black, Brown, and people of color leaders, and their profound understanding of what their experiences mean for what is expected, and what is possible in their environments.
If you’re open to exploring this and other topics in your own leadership, schedule a discovery call here
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