The Eclipse: Navigating the Shadows of Leadership
Eclipse 2024! Everyone has their glasses ready to stare up at the sky. While most people’s minds are on the eclipse, my mind sits with the dark moments that many of my clients and peers are navigating regularly in their leadership journeys.
Just like the moon casting its shadow during an eclipse, BIPOC women and nonbinary leaders often navigate through shadows in their careers, confronting unique obstacles along the way.
Intersectionality (intersecting forms of discrimination based on race, gender, and sometimes sexual orientation or gender identity, which can result in compounded barriers to advancement and recognition), microaggressions, overt discrimination, and the struggle for representation are just a few of the shadows that we confront in our professional lives. These challenges can sometimes feel overwhelming, casting doubt on our abilities and causing us to question our worth. But just as the sun persists behind the moon during an eclipse, our collective strength and resilience will shine through.
There's a digital drawing of a total solar eclipse. In the center shadow the title reads, "navigating the shadows of leadership." Strategies are listed on the outer edges of the eclipse; cultivate a support network, engage in community care, prioritize wellness, lead authentically, and get coaching.
So, how do we navigate these shadows while staying true to our values and well-being? Here are some strategies to consider:
Cultivate a Support Network: Surround yourself with peers and mentors who understand your journey and can offer support and guidance. We can uplift each other and navigate through the shadows together.
Engage in Community Care Practices: Participate in community care practices that promote solidarity and mutual support among BIPOC women and nonbinary leaders. Resource sharing, peer mentoring, celebrating achievements, and intersectional advocacy make us stronger than going it alone.
Prioritize Your Wellness: Take time to recharge and rejuvenate. Wellness practices, such as mindfulness, physical activity, or simply setting boundaries, are essential for maintaining well-being in adversity.
Lead Authentically: Embrace your unique perspective and experiences as strengths rather than weaknesses. Lead authentically, staying true to your values and principles even when faced with challenges.
Get Coaching: Consider seeking coaching or mentorship to gain insights and perspectives from experienced professionals. Coaching can provide personalized guidance and support tailored to your specific needs and goals. It can also help you develop tools and techniques to assert yourself confidently in professional settings and advocate for yourself and others.
I understand the importance of navigating through the shadows while staying true to ourselves. My mission is to empower BIPOC women and nonbinary leaders to thrive in their careers without sacrificing their wellness and personal lives.
I’m launching the Abuntu Group Coaching Program to provide a dedicated space for BIPOC women and nonbinary leaders to shine brightly through the shadows and continue to inspire change and progress in their respective industries.
If you know of any leaders who would benefit from this empowering space, have them sign up on the waitlist. Space will be limited in the program, and waitlist participants will receive advanced notification when sign-ups begin.
Image description: Tamisha is sitting on grass writing on her tablet. Her picture is nested in a white outline of a semi-circle. The Abuntu logo is beneath her picture. The text reads, "There is abundance in our collective humanity."
Until we connect again, with love,
Tamisha
PS. You may have noticed a shift over the past few newsletters to a focus on issues that women and nonbinary leaders of color face. This will be the lens through which this newsletter exists moving forward. The information shared will no doubt be helpful to a broader audience. Still, the directed focus will be on illuminating issues experienced by women and nonbinary leaders of color and on resources to ensure their ability to thrive holistically.
