On 17 January 2019, our three networking and support communities (IP & ME, IP Out and Women in IP) together laid on a fantastic event about the role of “Allies, advocates and supporters”. In the audience was career and leadership coach Jo Maughan, who has provided two very popular webinars for IP Inclusive: “Imposter syndrome” and “Dealing with strong emotions at work”. With her characteristic warmth and candour, Jo has written a blog post for us, explaining what the event meant to her and the implications of some of the topics it addressed.
Jo writes:
Have I got a new take on the recent “Allies, Advocates and Supporters” event? I don’t know. Maybe. What I do know is that it’s as valid as everyone else’s. And when I’m fully valuing myself and my point of view I can share it. Here it is:
Yes, I agree with what the panel said: We can’t understand somebody’s perspective or experience unless we ask them. We can’t know how we can help another unless we ask them. We can’t change somebody else’s seemingly judgemental comment unless we call it (the comment) out, and seek to understand.
You need to have courage and self-esteem to do all these things. This is my view.
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