Mastering the Art of Inclusive Leadership | BE MORE With Anu

A question I get somewhat frequently: What does meditation, or spirituality, or mindfulness, or even religion, have to do with DEI work? How do these concepts connect to inclusive, mindful, or antiracist leadership?

I've written and spoken before about how I believe that wellness and racial equity are two sides of the same coin, but I actually also feel that the connection between our spiritual selves and the work that we do to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in our world runs deeper than that. 

'In fact, we cannot function as inclusive leaders in the DEI space if we do not bring our full selves into alignment. While I may not need to share my spiritual, religious, or meditation backgrounds with everybody with whom I work, I do need to prioritize an internal alignment among these identities. This is a crucial aspect of inclusive leaders who exemplify mindful leadership.

What is the relationship between inclusive leadership and mindful leadership? How does my spiritual life impact my professional life? How about my religious identities? (Are those the same thing?) 

By reflecting deeply upon the answers to these questions, we can come fully into alignment with ourselves -- a commitment which, of course, becomes all the more profound (and urgent) for those leading faith-centered organizations with missions who focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion work.

It has been our honor to work with several of these organizations over the past year. As we move into the holiday season -- a season which looks joyfully and delightfully different throughout the globe, across cultures, and even within communities -- I am reflecting on what an honor it has been to engage in coalition-building work with these organizations throughout the last year.

For example, Middle Collegiate Church supported our inaugural Breaking Bias Summit in several important ways; their pastor, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, offered an invocation blessing our time together, and the Middle Project served as a financial sponsor.

At the exact same time, I am planning a Breaking Bias with the Brahmaviharas course, which I will facilitate on a dana basis, through the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. These are both spiritual organizations which hold deep (even foundational) roots for me. I find it both beautiful and inspiring to be able to let these traditions live in harmony together.

Externally, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago brought me to speak as a keynote at their Neuroscience of Implicit Bias conference in October. We've also continued to enjoy partnerships with leading Jewish organizations, such as the Institute for Jewish Spirituality -- all of which brings us back to the immense gratitude I feel for these leaders, who have so clearly done the work of internal alignment within their own hearts and minds. 

The vision of our Beloved Community does not ask for, or even value, same-ness.

We build coalitions across difference in service of the same goal: a just and peaceful world, where everyone belongs.

As we move into the holidays, I wish this justice and peace for you, wherever you are, whatever traditions (or none at all) you celebrate during this time. I'm grateful for and honored by the fellowship and movement-building I've been able to participate in, with people of all backgrounds. And I look forward to continuing to build the Beloved Community with all of you in 2023.

As we move toward the end of 2022, I leave you with the most important thoughts any of us can hold:

May we all be healthy. May we all be happy. May we all be safe. May we all live with ease.