Something came up front and center again over the past week or so… lemme explain.
Two years ago, Nadim and I co-created something special. After building it out for almost two years, we were ready to share it in a bigger way. We did- in Fall 2022. It’s called The Other Box.
It’s an experience. A way for all of us to engage in dialogue and talk about some pretty complex, non-straightforward stuff…. equity, diversity, and inclusion. And, in normal Nadim and Lazina style, we chose to open up time and space for a complex conversation by using movement as the vehicle to start this dialogue. I mean, why not sweat and THEN talk about big stuff right?
(sidebar- for those of us NPers who are new, Nadim is one of our legacy co-leaders who helped build the November Project Canada community in our city… he’s a legend).
Anyhow, I can share more on what we created in a 1:1 chat if you’re interested. That’s not quite where I’m going with this.
What I do want to share though is that we’ve now hosted this learning experience four times and each time we open up time and space for this conversation – through movement – we learn so many new things. About ourselves. About those who attend and experience it. And about each other.
In the most recent iteration of The Other Box, which took place last week (that’s where I disappeared to), I’ve become much more rooted in why we originally created this – to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to share and learn from one another. Isn’t that an important piece of EDI work – that everyone can speak, and everyone can learn, and everyone can evolve in their thinking?
I think so.
It’s not necessarily easy to do this. In a society that is becoming more polarized and flippant with opinions, I often find myself wondering if people stop and asked “why” before speaking or writing their thoughts.
I learned this statement a few years ago from my friends and colleague at Roy Group – a leadership development company that I have had the great fortune of working with over the past 9 years.
Understanding is not the same as agreeing
Here’s an article and podcast that covers far more than this sentiment about how to listen like a leader: click here if you want to learn more.
As I learn more about what Nadim and I created and as we look to iterate and evolve the experience, I want to continue to ask “why”. I want to listen to those with views that are different than myself. I want to be open to learning. I want to surround myself with diverse viewpoint so I can continue to innovate. I want to get uncomfortable so that I can stretch myself (isn’t that where the best learning happens?!). I want to understand different perspectives… and that doesn’t mean I have to agree with you.
After a few days away, and some reflection time, I feel renewed in the effort to ask why.
Doing so just might make me learn something new…
Announcements
- Friday at 5:58am– we’ll see you at the bottom of Walterdale Hill!
- Monday, July 3 at 5:58am- it’s a holiday Monday! Plan on staying a little bit later than normal.
- The week of July 10-14: It’s our 10th birthday!! That’s right, NPCanada is turning 10! Come join the fun all week.
- July 19- it’s the Ol’ 96er + the Gristle! Mark your calendars.
~togetherisbetter
Lazina
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