EDI & LEAD FELLOWS MEETING

HOW TO BRING UP TOUGH SUBJECTS WITH LEADERSHIP WITHOUT HURTING FEELINGS?

Tony:

• Assume intent is good
• Use I statements
• Be open to dialogue

Those are the 3 keys to a good dialogue and make sure ppl don’t feel attacked. Be respectful.

• Always be willing to have the tough conversations with leadership, bc that’s what leadership is there for
• Respect boundaries without taking things personally

Once you start having these discussions it becomes easier over time – practice

Kacy:

• Is tough giving feedback to big groups so start off with smaller groups

Heather:

• Always best to speak from direct personal experience & acknowledge when you’re not
• Using specific examples
• Have an open mind, when the topic is something sensitive that the person/group feels like they can’t share
• Approach topics with curiosity

Patrick:

• If I’m the roadblock (as leadership) it might be tough to hear that feedback
• We all want the same outcome
• Important as leadership to not take it personal > know that a person does not mean to be rude and disrespectful and might come across as passion
• Talk to this person 1:1
• Trusting one another

ROADBLOCKS

HV wants to clarify that CLT is not concerned that the committee has not done anything

• Kacy: Intention is different than impact
  • Important to build trust as a group and work through them in an honest way
    • Regular cadence to meeting as LEAD FELLOWS to discuss roadblocks
      • Establish a cadence for meeting with CLT
• Heather:
  • Does not understand why we are so adamant about posting on Blink
    • Understands now with more context
• Ted:
  • Observation that we are at an amazing spot to have an EDI committee
    • We have more LEAD follows than any other place in the university > shame that we are not working together
    • It’s pretty clear that we are not working together
      • There is no trust in the relationship between our two groups and build relationship to accomplish the common purpose
      • This trust and relationship will allow us to be mad and communicate our frustrations
        • Being respectful and kind does not mean not being truthful
      • Once we can work together we can capitalize our skills and strenghts
• Tony:
  • Intent of LEAD Fellows is not to be a roadblock > so these feelings need to be worked through

Feel vulnerable with each other to be able to believe someone is being honest and acknowledge we are “wrong” or “right”