Tough Conversations

You’ve probably seen me post about how I recently attended a small business town hall on how to be anti racist in your company and better. To read my full post about this head to photobizhelp.com/dobetter or find a link in the show notes.

One piece of this was signing the Anti-racist Small Business Pledge. You can read more about this a photobizhelp.com/pledge

This pledge, compiled by Rachel Rodgers, consists of five main points. Today, I’d like to read to you just one of them because I think it is accessible to most people, regardless of where they’re at in business.

Item number 3 states: Commit to open-conflict and allow discomfort.

“When conflict arises on your team and within your communities, let it arise. Don’t try to hide it, delete it, or ignore it. Acknowledge the conflict, allow space for community members to be heard and deal with the underlying issue rather than demonizing the community member who raised the issue. These conversations are happening regardless, allow them to happen in your spaces and be a part of the conversation. Take action to implement the needs expressed by community members. Train your community moderators on how to have culturally responsive communications and handle the conflict online.”

There is certainly a lot to unpack here.

The reason I’m bringing this to your attention today is because many of us moderate and participate in online communities. It is incredibly important that difficult conversations aren’t censored but instead worked out in public.

Photo Business Help Podcast episode 115 tough conversations cover

When a post that is challenging is hidden or deleted, it does not educate anyone. It does not elevate the point of view and underlying issue, but instead dismisses it.

Of course, hateful, spammy speech is different than challenging discourse. But I encourage you in your education to read the tough stuff, ask questions, and participate. This is a wonderful way to learn.

And if you missed the last episode, remember that everyone messes up. I’m sorry.

I apologize. I’m going to change my behavior. It is a beautiful start.

So if you’re in a position of admin or moderator for a group OR if a personal post gets a conversation going on social, please reconsider your impulse to want it to go away.

It might be obvious I’m referring to racial justice issues, but this goes for all important issues you may deal with when moderating a platform.

Until next time, lead with love.