Leading Below the Surface

If you need REAL leader inspiration, go back to Chapter 4. If you are feeling alone in a surface world, go back to Chapter 5. If you are trying to make real culture and DEIB change in your organization, study Chapters 7–10. There’s something here for everyone.

“You make my day when you share your successes.”

I will leave you with these real and encouraging words: We can all do this. This is our time to influence our organizations. Below the surface leadership is leadership.

Share your slips with another aspiring below the surface leader. Also share your successes. Build an indestructible community to keep you on par.

Embody REAL leader behaviors to get you back on track, especially when you are having trouble building relationships with people who are different from you. •Acknowledge that we will always be up against a surface world. •Accept empathy and psychological safety as the engines of below the surface cultures. •Recognize that you have to get below the

Spot and speak out against the terrible three to create an increased sense of belonging in your organizations.

It’s about making the world a better place. It’s about making organizations more equitable. It’s about breaking structures and building new ones.

Let’s first address what’s within our purview before we carry the weight of the world on our shoulders.

He wanted his team to first get below the surface and identify what they could change. He wanted to avoid grandiose promises. He wanted to be realistic and focus on what was in front of him and his executive team.