Clearing Hurdles
We need more and better leaders.
We need them now and we’ll need more and more of them in the years to come.
So we really need to stop putting barriers in the way of people who have the potential to make a difference.
For several years the Catalyst Foundation (our previous entity) offered an award to graduating high school students who had aspirations of living their lives for the benefit of others. It was some of the most inspiring work I’ve ever been a part of.
Every year without exception we had far more female applicants than male; and few non-binary or LGBTQ2S+. Approximately half of our recipients were BIPOC. The least represented demographic in many years was straight white males.
So why then are the majority of leadership conferences dominated by straight white men both on stage and in the audience?
Generational change is part of it, sure. For far too long it has been much easier for people who look like me to reach senior levels than for anyone else. It’s continuing to take too long for that to change.
Leadership is hard for everyone, but women, people of colour, queer and trans people have hurdles in their lane that I will never face. It’s taken me too long to begin to understand that and to try to do anything to help.
I’m happy that right now the majority of the charity leaders I’m regularly advising are women. They are showing me more of the ways they have to overcome bias and systems that don’t favour them. I know it’s even more stacked against other demographics.
I am becoming more intentional to ensure that I am actively learning from people who’s life experience is different from mine. To push past my comfort and accept the critiques of systems that work well for me. To use what privilege I have to make space, encourage, and advocate for greater understanding and opportunity.
I’m trying to clear a few hurdles out of the way so deserving leaders can run freely.
But I know there are many obstacles that are invisible to me and many people who’s potential is lost along the way.