How to build your own table 🛠
↩️UNFOLLOW University — November 3, 2023
Happy Friday!
I’m tired of talking about diversity.
How many more courageous conversations and panel discussions do we need in order to acknowledge the hard truth? Racism no longer requires racists. It’s time to stop talking about diversity and start doing diversity.
As one of a few Black senior leaders at the intersection of two overwhelmingly white industries - spirits and marketing - I have seen firsthand the limits of misplaced loyalty in corporate diversity programs.
White nepotism occurs so naturally, so often and so uninterrupted that many companies don’t even bother hiding it. From my days as a marketing intern in 1998 to a misplaced CMO in 2021, not much has changed.
Until now.
🤯 Radical Truth
Where you work is a gift. Why you work is a choice.
As the pandemic transformed our work lives, I promised myself I would never go back to work. Specifically, I would never go back to working the way I used to or how I used to.
It’s been 865 days since I walked away from Patron Tequila. This week, I’m walking into a new challenge as the President of Uncle Nearest, Inc.’s new Cognac division.
The chance to build a business with this trailblazing team is gratifying. The choice to build a multi-generational legacy for others is ground-breaking.
The industry, media and consumer response has been incredible! We’re just getting started.
Before I ever met Fawn Weaver, the CEO of Uncle Nearest, Inc., I came across an interview she did while I was still at Patron regarding our industry’s “diversity problem.”
“All you have to do is go to a few industry-related events here to discover that we have a diversity problem. But the thing is I’m not wired to focus on the problem. It’s of zero interest to me,” she said.
I thought, Does she know how many diversity decks, meetings and PR campaigns I’ve had to fight for? I’ve worked here for 7 years and I’m still the only one in the room.
She went on to say, “I’m wired to focus on the solution. And because I’m always focused on solutions, then one solution leads to another solution that leads to another.”
It kinda pissed me off. So I did what any self-respecting brother would do: I went to meet her in person and talk. 😬
Fawn had such a clarity of purpose and a conviction of God’s path that it was blinding. But it was also incriminating since I wasn’t living up to my own light.
I realized 5 things:
Why would I take a seat at someone’s table who doesn’t want me there when I can build my own?
I don’t need more courage to do what I’m called to do. I need to stop giving it away to the wrong things.
I don’t need another book or blog post to acquire more information. I need to act on what I already know.
Work can be a beautiful way to be more of who I am instead of a miserable way to be what I’m not.
Freedom is the ultimate flex. I can start building more than a career - I can build a life.
What are you waiting on? Start building.
On assignment at Bar Luciole in Cognac, France. 🇫🇷
⚡️Courageous Question
Am I staying where I’m tolerated or building a place where I’m celebrated?
🗣 Wonderful Words
“I never pulled my seat up to anyone else’s table. I built my own. And I built it so well that they want to sit at my table.”
🙏🏽 Prayer Package
God, when tough places turn dark, you have always been my guide. During times of uncertainty about the way I should go, help me stay still and lean into you. You are always here - listening, loving and talking. Take away the noise of other people’s expectations. Clear out the confusion that comes from my appetite for control, safety and failure-proof living. Empower me to let go of what’s never been mine so I can grab hold of the peace you promised. Your power is so much bigger than my decisions so I give this to you. Amen.
🎵 Wherever I Go - Lexi 📡
🛠 Practical Tool
Read this article on building “Success That Last” by Laura Nash and Howard Stevenson. Creating a Personal Kaleidoscope can be an extremely clarifying step in diagnosing precisely what you’re missing, measuring and solving for before you accept a new role.
This 20-minute exercise is a research-based start to considering how achievement, happiness, significance and legacy all play a role in the work we’re designed to do.
If you’d like to learn more about the session or have me speak to your team, contact me here.
If you’re new to UNFOLLOW University you can learn more about me here or check out my previous posts.
See you next UNFOLLOW Friday!
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Every Friday I’ll send you 5 courageous ideas to help you redesign your work life by making better career decisions:
🤯 Radical Truth - A story from me
⚡️ Courageous Question - A challenge for you
🗣 Wonderful Words - A quote worth remembering
🙏🏽 Prayer Package - A moment of meditation
🛠 Practical Tool - An actionable resource
