BALI10 #day2
Today was a reminder of the power of telling your story and owning your own narrative. Meera shared her journey to becoming a Director, all the challenges that she has had to overcome, as a Black woman who started life as a looked after child and who became disabled overnight. She has propelled herself forward with positivity and drive, and fought for equality and social justice in every role she has undertaken. She is the champion we all need and her message deserves to be shared (or somewhat paraphrased).
Aspire to what you want to be and you can get there
Be comfortable with silences
Learn from the people who do not do it well — think I’m gonna do it a different way
Labels stick ….until you are ready to peel them off
The day progressed with an introduction to appreciative inquiry and how we can apply this, followed by an understanding of cultural competence both were fairly new concepts to me and I intend to reflect on them more.
We welcomed Rosemary back for our afternoon session and she takes a hard-hitting approach that shook the room. Presenting a very different take on the discourse around the disenfranchised and ‘disadvantaged’, that:
The system blames those who are failed by it
And once you step out of a minority mindset you can “step into your power”. We are encouraged to be our authentic selves. Bringing us into a conversation about world learnings from indigenous cultures: Ubuntu, Seva and Maori Ora that place legacy and selfless service at the heart. She tells us that more systems of collective leadership are emerging. If we want to be future Black and Asian leaders we need to “turn up” as ourselves. Bring humanity and energy to that space, which is something I can say hand on heart they have done for us at BALI10.
Personal note, must research: Erving Goffman, Covering
