In 2022 – I worked; my spirit, soul and body.  90-minute prayer time every morning, mindfulness exercises to build capacity for translating insights in real-time and a commitment to daily physical exercise and healthy eating.   By mid-year, after an 18-month change management season, as the principal, I needed a “tune up.” I felt warn, hurt, disappointed, encouraged and very uncomfortable.  It was painfully glorious.  I called a mentor, friend and many say the world’s current day Peter Drucker- Bill George.  He was writing a book to lead emerging leaders into his seminal work of authentic leadership – True North for Emerging Leaders.  I dove into the galley as a homework assignment from Bill. The reading was deep, revealing and compelling and required a deeper level of self-assessment. 

I have always known that Black People are not a monolith.  As a people, we hit all dimensions of existence, now I had to be fully engaged individually and collectively in Black experience, with individuals and teams.  Many energetically expressed their perspectives, even while butting up against those who simply did not want to engage at all, even in a supposed seat of authority.  Playing it safe became a challenge for those caught “marching in place” as Pat Russell McCloud is fond of saying.  This forced us to press forward with the truth, and call it out, on purpose.  Working with Bill, reading his galley I learned two things about myself.