Episode at a glance

Last week in a newsletter I suggested to leaders that they reach out to their teams to talk about what’s happening in Gaza and Israel. Even as I made those recommendations I knew those conversations might be hard – not just for the leaders, but for everyone involved. Because talking about suffering is hard. One person – someone I trust – responded to my suggestion in a way that shows what hard can look like, and I thought it would be instructive to share that here. 

This is a short episode, but if you just want the thesis, here it is in three parts. 

Leaders of teams have a responsibility to reach out to people and have conversations, even when they’re hard. Those same leaders are likely to make mistakes in the process. When they do, they will benefit if they shut up and listen, genuinely learn, and do better next time. 

Part 1: Reaching out to do hard things. 
Part 2: Screwing up in the process.
Part 3: Shutting up and getting better.

That’s it.

Well, there’s a little more. I’ll describe what it was like for me to work on doing those same three things over the last week.

Thanks for listening

Readings & resources

White Women, by Regina Jackson and Saira Rao

Amena Chaudry’s post on the damage of silence, and another post on white fragility and Islamophobia in the context of Palestinian suffering.

Other episodes you might find helpful

Episode 50: White Women’s Nonsense, with Renee Wells of Middlebury College

Episode 47: White Women’s Work: An Invitation, with Jayne Sommers

Episode 26: In Community: Interracial Feminist Co-Mentoring, with Christina Holmgren and Jayne Sommers

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