Darkness is a stranger

Have you ever been on a leadership course where one of the exercises is to come up with examples of people who inspire you? And people end up suggesting Nelson Mandela or maybe their grandma? It might just be the courses I've been on - and I've been on a few over the years - but I've always found it fascinating and quite sad that no one comes up with inspiring leaders in their actual workplaces.

I thought I'd look up a few definitions of leadership. The word leader comes from the Old English word ‘lædan’ meaning ‘to go before as a guide’. The German, Swedish, Icelandic equivalent words also mean conductor. Maybe it's helpful to think of good leaders as being like good conductors, getting the best out of each individual part of the orchestra to create the perfect whole, striving for the perfect rendition.

I'm fortunate these days I've found people to work with who inspire me every day but I'm not sure they'd fit the traditional image of what a leader looks like. What does leadership mean to you? Is it something that can be taught or is it innate? Or both?

In a move that brings back memories of Section 28 in the 1980s, Hungary passed a law banning content with under 18s which depicts LGBT people. Presumably this means the work that my friends at Diversity Role Models do would be illegal under this law.

As the Director of Amnesty Hungary said, 'This is a dark day for LGBTI rights and for Hungary. Like the infamous Russian ”propaganda law” this new legislation will further stigmatise LGBTI people and their allies. It will expose people already facing a hostile environment to even greater discrimination.' Read the full report here and maybe support Budapest Pride this year?

Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865. Having been celebrated as a day of freedom in many states across the US, President Biden has at last created a national holiday to mark this date.

I thought this was an interesting article about Juneteenth and the other emancipation days: "Juneteenth is the purest distillation of the evils that still plague America, and a celebration of the good people who fought those evils."

Interesting and useful links 🖇️

I spent several weekends during 2015 with groups of friends and family walking round the London Loop in memory of my brother, Richard, who died in 1990. Marking a quarter century since his death in this way created some truly special memories. I was very moved by this article about another sister's walk in memory of their lost brother.

If "Black Lives Matter" to brands, where are your black board members? speaks for itself.

Critical Race Theory seems to be in the news a lot recently. Not for good reasons. The term was used originally by the academic, Kimberlé Crenshaw. Here's an article about her work and I thought this series of tweets explaining what it is might be helpful.

Learning points 🎓

Another reflection on leadership is that in an absence of it, something needs to fill the vacuum.

Be wary of what that is.

Day of the Week 📆

Windrush Day, June 22nd, marks the arrival of the first of the Windrush Generation on these shores back in 1948. It's particularly important to the people of South London. It's a day to celebrate the wonderful contribution that all those pioneers and their families have made and are making to the UK. A day to stop, think, and say thank you.

What am I reading? 📚

I wish I could tell you about all the interesting books I've been reading this week. Next time 😬

What am I watching? 👀

I've been watching the football this week at the same time the trial into the killing of Dalian Atkinson has been underway. Dalian played for Aston Villa at the time I used to regularly follow the team.

I will never forget jumping up and down in the rain with the away fans after he scored this sublime goal. If you squint you can see me.

Another sporting legend from my even longer ago youth, Michael Holding, said it like it is on breakfast telly when he said that "racism is a load of bollocks."

What am I listening to? 👂

George Mackay Brown

Joy-giving things 😍

And while we're on the subject of midsummer... as the turning of the earth reminds us, nothing is forever

Have a great weekend

Love, Lucy

I write this newsletter because I believe in sharing progressive ideas that help us work towards a truly equal world.

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ChangeOut is created by Lucy Caldicott. You can find more about my work at ChangeOut.org. If you’re looking to have a chat about culture, leadership, purpose, equity, or a facilitated team discussion about any of those things, get in touch. You can also find me on Bluesky, Instagram, and, LinkedIn.

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