Talking with Employees About Racism

Jun 11, 2020, 7:25 PM

(from Entrepreneur) Protests over the murder of George Floyd show no signs of slowing down, and at work this week, most bosses found themselves in the position of addressing the unrest. What are some ideas for business leaders and managers to consider when handling the issue of racism in the current moment and workplace discussions? Be authentic. Address the larger context of the current moment. Don't shrink away from the conversation because you're out of your depth. Understand diversity initiatives are not a substitute for work that needs to happen personally. Don't put the onus on Black employees to explain racism, but make it clear you're ready to listen. Develop safe avenues for conversations about race, but be sensitive to the fact that people of color may not want to address race with company leaders. And don't talk the talk if you're not walking the walk.