Woods Kovalova Group’s Post

Interrupting Racism Without Losing Friends: Navigating Tough Conversations. Interrupting racism can be one of the most uncomfortable and daunting tasks we face, particularly when it involves confronting friends or loved ones. We're often caught in a dilemma between our desire to maintain harmonious relationships and our responsibility to challenge injustice. It's natural to worry about causing conflict or straining connections that are important to us. Yet, remaining silent in the face of racism is not an option. When we fail to speak up against injustice, we inadvertently condone it, perpetuating the cycle of discrimination and inequality. Moreover, we miss an opportunity to educate, learn, and grow by avoiding difficult conversations. Listen now! https://lnkd.in/e22att6m

Breaking barriers and amplifying unheard voices 🗣️✨ Join me as we dive deep into meaningful conversations with underrepresented creative thinkers. Together, let's break free from our little boxes and unleash our dreams! 💫🌍 #RepresentationMatters #CreativeThinkers #UnleashYourVoice Check out the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/g2g_ZVMt

How do we have conversations with people who have different points of view? It can be particularly challenging when it comes to political topics. It may seem like those issues should be off limits in the work place but let’s be honest, we don’t segregate our work and personal lives like that (unless you are working at Lumon Industries, the fictional company on “Severance”). So what do we do? My goal is to address the empathy crisis one conversation at a time. My latest conversation was with Paula Felps on the Live Happy podcast where we discussed real life situations and I shared some specific tips and tricks for improving our discourse through empathy. One key approach is to avoid seeing people with different views as “others”. Because that is, well, othering. (Shout out to Susan Fader💥 for bringing this to my attention as I was using that language myself!). Instead, strive to understand the fears and motivations behind a person’s beliefs to find common ground. Another tip, be clear and honest with yourself about what you are trying to get out of the conversation. Are you seeking to understand? Trying to persuade? Looking for empathy? Hoping to solve the issue? Whichever it is, the way you approach the discussion may differ. Please check out the podcast and there are more tips in my newsletter, Reading Between the Lines (link in comments). Let me know your thoughts. Starts With Us #empathymatters #politicalmatters #toughconversations #startswithus 

One day while working in the lab, Suzan makes a mistake that brings her 4 steps back. “You idiot, you should quit your PhD if you work like this.” Her critical voice fires automatically. This voice is pressuring her to be perfect, to not make mistakes, and to identify herself with her results. After a few hours, she calms down, but the voice is still there. The pressure stays, and the stakes are higher the next time she enters the lab. Now she has to cover for her mistake, and the critic is there to remind her of that. If you are familiar with this scenario - bravo for noticing that you have a critical voice. 👏 Becoming more and more familiar with this voice will allow you to realize what kind of effect it has on you. And if you were good at developing the critic persona, you can also develop another - maybe a more caring one. Then you can choose who will take the central stage. Who will it be during your PhD? I invite you to book a discovery call and bring the critic with you. See you all there 😉 https://lnkd.in/eWXb47BZ Warning: some of the sentences in this podcast might be disturbing if they resonate. #phd #phdlife #phdjourney #beyondphd #PhD #phdchat #phdcoach

In honor of Black of History Month we'd like to spotlight S2, Episode 6: From Cultural Competency to Cultural Humility with Ish Orkar from The Restorative Lens at National Center on Restorative Justice. This podcast explores questions like "How do we account for own implicit biases when building equitable systems?" and "How can we ensure that communities most impacted by inequities in the criminal legal system are included in equitable systems design, implementation, and facilitation?" Listen at https://lnkd.in/gRFf7eih

Gain Insight into 2024 Trends! Join NASCIO President Jim Weaver as he discusses the upcoming landscape for the public sector. This podcast delves into key trends and strategies that will shape government technology this year. Listen in for exclusive insights: https://bit.ly/423aSlz #GovTechTrends #LeadershipInsights

In this powerful episode of The Morris Perspective, host Connie Morris takes a deep dive into the complex and often uncomfortable topic of white fragility. Drawing from her extensive experience in law enforcement, criminal justice education, and bias training, Connie unpacks what white fragility is, how it manifests in conversations about race, and why it's a significant barrier to meaningful dialogue and social change. Join Connie Morris on The Morris Perspective as she explores White Fragility in this in-depth episode. Discover the roots, impact, and strategies for overcoming White Fragility, and learn how to engage in honest, transformative conversations about race. Connie weaves together insights from Robin DiAngelo’s seminal work with her own research and real-world experiences, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of how White Fragility shapes our interactions and what we can do to move past it. Listeners will gain valuable tools for confronting their own biases, breaking down defensive reactions, and engaging in more honest, transformative conversations about race. Whether you’re new to the topic or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode provides both the knowledge and the practical steps needed to challenge White Fragility and contribute to a more just and equitable society. Tune in to The Morris Perspective for an episode that’s not just about rethinking bias—it’s about taking action to dismantle it.

Where should you look to see a distant object better? Don’t look directly at it. Instead, look at a point just next to it. The same goes for asking questions. If you want to find the 'why', don't ask. ‘Why’ questions can be prickly. They provoke rationalisation. They feed the ego. Instead, ask an adjacent question. Focus on a point JUST NEXT TO the thing you really want to know. Hannah Shamji explains exactly what that looks like in our chat. Come for Hannah's world class advice on understanding people better. Stay for the hidden Easter egg to get involved with the show & meet Hannah. Listen & watch here: https://lnkd.in/eskRhtUn

Came across this video about a world-class violinist who teamed up with The Washington Post for a social experiment, performing in a subway station where almost no one paid attention to him 😮. What really resonated with me was a profound statement made by the interviewee in the video (check it out below). He said: "No matter how wonderful you are, if you are in the wrong environment, you can be treated as invisible, even disposable, and you cannot let the environment and the way those people react to you affect you." Such a profound message and a reminder to stay true to your value, regardless of the surroundings. This message hit me like a ton of bricks! 💡 💡 💡 #StayTrueToYourself #KnowYourWorth #PersonalGrowth #MindsetMatters #SelfAwareness