Recently, I attended a networking event that provided an unexpected moment of reflection.
Needing a break from standing in heels I haven’t worn for months, I chose a seat next to a lady employed by a state-owned enterprise currently failing miserably at delivering on its mandate—a situation that often casts a shadow on its employees.
When I saw her name badge, my initial reaction was an involuntary, expressive “Oh,” accompanied by raised eyebrows. Did my face show contempt or compassion? Her disappointed expression suggested the former, sparking a realization of my unintended slight.
We engaged in a poignant conversation about the challenges she faced, not only within her troubled organization but also dealing with the stigma attached to it in social settings like these, where judgment seems inescapable. By the end of the night, as we said our goodbyes, I felt compelled to offer her a hug—a small, perhaps unconventional gesture at a professional event, but one I hoped conveyed my gratitude for her courage. “Thank you for doing hard things, in hard places,” I told her. It’s individuals like her who dare to bring light to the darkest corners of our systems, and it’s individuals like you Reader, who must rise to challenge and change the status quo.
Brene Brown, in her Book Dare to Lead puts it like this: “There’s probably not a single act at work that requires more vulnerability than holding people responsible for ethics and values, especially when you’re alone in it, or there’s a lot of money, power, or influence at stake.”
I wonder if you feel alone in it?
If you do, reach out to me, I am leading a read along of the book Dare to Lead, starting next week in the Leaders Library. You don’t have to build brave leadership muscles on your own.
More information about this can be found here: https://thesolutioneersblog.ck.page/a207e048cc
Stay Brave,
Regards
Anne Gray
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