Passion
Leaning into what lights me up.
When I was a defense attorney for the poor, I spoke with fire and passion about justice. I was lit up. It was all I wanted to talk about. But it felt like other people didn't want to hear what I had to say - my fire felt too hot, too judgmental.
When I became a coach, I again spoke with passion - but this time about transformation, possibility. My passion was filled with light, not judgment, and I couldn't believe how many people wanted to hear what I was saying - craved it, in fact.
When Shavon Fluker, a fellow iPEC coach, asked what might have been different for George Floyd had the Minneapolis police department experienced transformational coaching as we did in iPEC, my heart and mind blew open at the possibility.
I began talking about coaching in law enforcement - asking questions and inviting conversation. Once again, I was filled with passion and purpose, but this time there was no judgment - only curiosity and wonder. With every conversation, more and more people encouraged me forward, wanting to be part of the conversation or inviting me into the work they were already doing. Overwhelmingly, and much to my surprise, those people were involved in the law enforcement community.
I am clear, direct, about my purpose - to better serve the communities law enforcement is entrusted to serve. I stand with those communities - particularly underserved, disenfranchised communities. I want those communities to benefit from the transformation of ego and self and accountability in law enforcement.
To my amazement, my honesty is received warmly, encouraged even, by others in law enforcement who want the same thing for themselves - and who recognize that transformation in self means stronger relationships, better communication with community, and honor in their profession.
This work comes from a place of love - love of all humanity. I'm curious not about what people believe, but what they feel. Because I've felt the same thing. And that commonality is the bridge between us. Between all of us.
I hear all the time that change is too hard, too overwhelming, too impossible. Yet change happens constantly - whether or not we want it or want to be a part of it.
What are you curious about? What are you thinking about with wonder and possibility? What are you already talking about with passion and curiosity free of judgment that might spark movement, might compel a step forward?
Say it out loud. Ask questions. Listen. Repeat.
