5 Things / firsts

~50%

That's about the percentage of Americans who voted differently than me. They have different lived experiences, different points of view, and prioritize different things. Sometimes I forget how different we are. 

My bubble keeps me safe, but it also keeps me a little bit ignorant. I can own that, and, while frustrating at times, I'm grateful for receiving periodic wake-up calls.

I can't pretend to know the lived experiences of people who voted differently than me, just like I can't pretend to know what it's like to be a Black woman working in corporate America. I educate myself and love talking to others, but I don't know what it's like to walk in others' shoes.

My work is about seeking to understand (and helping others understand), but then transcending differences, and unifying around common goals. I'd rather focus on how we can come together, rather than what divides us.

That's what I spoke about this week to clients in tech, life sciences, and banking. We are stronger, more successful, and more joyful when we come together in a spirit of curiosity.  Since conversations with folks who are different from us don't easily happen outside of work, I'm grateful to the organizations who are making space for these conversations about understanding and transcending difference to happen at work.

All of my good vibes this week center around American political firsts, and include people who (regardless of party) can be possibility models for the next generation of leaders. This matters because we cannot be what we cannot see. 

• New Mexico elected all women of color to the House of Representatives and is the first state to do so.

• New York elected America's first Black gay men to Congress, two of them - Richie Torres and Mondaire Jones.

• Marilyn Strickland from Washington is the country's first Korean-American Congresswoman (and the first Black Congressperson from that state).

• At the state level, there were some huge victories for trans folks: Sarah McBride became the highest ranked transgender official in the country when she was elected State Senator from Delaware. Stephanie Byers became the first openly trans lawmaker from Kansas when she was elected to the Kansas House, and Taylor Small was the first trans person elected to Vermont's House. Mauree Turner became the first openly nonbinary state legislator, winning a seat in the Oklahoma state House. Mauree is also Muslim, a first for Oklahoma.
  
  

And there are many more firsts. Inspiration is everywhere if you're open to seeing it.


Thanks for all you do to build a more inclusive world-

All the best,

Image by: researchamerica.org