TMAI #213: Investing in Understanding the Moment.

My heart is heavy with the events of the United States.

I was working on a piece about leadership (the type that I practice, and one dimension of it that I want you to adopt due to its benefits).

But, we are living in an abnormal time. I'm spending time learning, reflecting, and taking action.

With that thought in mind, today I wanted to share a set of pictures that spoke to me. I hope they'll speak to you and spark thinking.

[I appreciate that some of you only ready TMAI for the M and the A. For you, here's one of my favorite editions: #172: Metrics | Let's Call Cows Cows. It is an incisive call-to-arms, and super actionable.]

All pictures below are higher resolution, you can right-mouse click and Open Image in a New Tab or Save Image As.

The first collection of pictures are the work of Tony Ruth, @lunchbreath.

We read words like Inequality and Justice all day long, but we don't really internalize them.

I mean really internalize.

I felt deep gratitude towards Tony for his effort to marry four words we think we understand with insightful visuals that'll ensure that we really understand.

I encourage you to dwell on each picture, take in the subtle details (like fruit).

Inequality; Unequal access to opportunities.

: (

Equality; Evenly distributed tools and assistance.

: (

Here's a new word that I'd not quite thought of in this context..

Equity; Custom tools that identify and address inequality.

It made me think deeply about what I am doing to build equity in the diverse teams that I lead/have led.

And, what role I can play in contributing to equity in our society.

Something still seemed off.

Then...

Justice; Fixing the system to offer equal access to both tools and opportunities.

Yes.

This.

So much of this.

We have centuries of unequal access to tools and opportunities to address in our society.

So much to do. A shared responsibility.

If you would like to share the images on social media to advance understanding, I've created the above easy to share version.

To download, right-mouse click and choose Save Image As. When you share please credit Tony Ruth, @lunchbreath.

The next picture is the work of Kris Straub, chainsawsuit.com.

Policing is the trigger for the conversation we are having at this moment in America. While keeping the current (heartwrenching) events front and center, it is of immense value to take five steps back and understand the historical context.

I recommend listening to the podcast American Police by Throughline. (Trigger warning: Difficult topic, will require incredible courage to listen.)

One dimension of the public discourse, amongst a minority, is the argument against the use of #blacklivesmatter vs., they advocate, #alllivesmatter.

Yes, every life on this planet is precious. But, there is a very important reason why our hearts and action are focused on #blacklivesmatter.

Kris's cartoon explains...

The last picture is the work of Liz Fosslin and Mollie Duffy, @lizandmollie.

If there's anything I've shared and valued in over 200 editions of TMAI, it is the love of an ability to frame complexity as simply as possible.

These words are heavy: Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging.

I hope Liz and Mollie help you see their meaning in an all-new light...