Self Work and Accountability

Whether you’re an everyday citizen or striving for inclusive leadership skills in you career, the actions of self-work and accountability are mandatory.

There’s an infinite number of ways to continue the work of anti-racism and anti-oppression. 

There’s also a wide variety of ways to interpret what progress looks like. 

Some people work within academia. Others inside large organizations. Independent contractors bridge the gaps to guide the work as needed. Everyday citizens do what they can, when they can.

All of us are working to help rewrite long-time historical inaccuracies and alter habits to change hearts and minds slowly and with intentionality.

Inside this work, I personally favour the deeper narratives.  

The conversations that get a little spicy is where I thrive and feel comfortable.

In other words, spaces where we discuss the roots of oppressive systems and begin to understand what societal shifts are possible right in front of us.

What is Self-Work + Accountability?

Early in my work, I saw a pattern form inside conversations or perhaps it was more of an intersection between them.  For business owners, leaders, middle managers and community members, this topic always drew back to self-work.

“What can I do to make a difference?”

 “How do I hold myself accountable?”

In the workplace, in the community and around the dinner table. 

As an anti-racist business strategist, anti-oppression leadership coach and workplace educator, I’m aiming to co-create safe space for you to find your personal commitment and then reverse engineer the self-work needed to meet those own expectations.  

The idea is, as my students and clients lean into deeper understanding, they have an early and deeply rooted foundation to stand on.  I do this in direct and subtle ways with bold and courageous coaching to hold a mirror up with a balance of softness.  

I’m attempting to welcome an understanding that while you, as an individual, may not have created the depth of oppression woven into the fabric of our society, you do have a responsibility to help dismantle it.

A method I call ‘Nurture & Confront’. Which has become my signature approach to guiding people through anti-racism and anti-oppression teachings.

Self work is:

• Read the books that offer wider perspectives.
• Learn what you need so you can speak up instead of staying silent.
• Encourage your community to join you.
• Broaden your lived experiences.
• Hold a mirror up.
• Be ready to get uncomfortable

Aim for small stable steps at first.

Seriously, a mega roadblock I see in this work is people biting off WAY more than they can chew.

Take it slow. Be intentional.

Then as you expand your knowledge, reach for more.

The mission, if you choose to accept it, is to find a deeper contribution to the work.

Collectively, that’s how we’re dismantling oppressive systems.

Accountability is:

• Read the books all the way to the end. Yes, finish them.
• Start or join a book club to discuss the books you read.
• Engage in deeper topics.
• Stay in the conversation even when it gets uncomfortable.
• When you mess up (and you will definitely mess up) stay committed.
• Make a plan, speak about it, and then take action.
• When you need a break (burn out is real y’all) do not let it be a permanent break.

Accountability really is about staying the course and showing up consistently.

This is what progress looks like.

Small steps forward with intentionality and purpose.