Where were you on January 6, 2021? What were you doing as a man walked through the US Capitol building proudly displaying the confederate flag? How did you feel? For me, I had an array of emotions that, quite frankly, I’m still dealing with. As a person of color that has faced acts of racial injustice in the past, I was profoundly disturbed by what I saw. As troubling as the events of that day were, that one image of that flag is something I cannot forget.
Two days later, on the morning of January 8, I woke up and followed my morning routine before work: greeted my family, brewed a cup of tea, and went for walk with my dog, Emma. Later that morning, I was scheduled to present our Corporate Social Justice plan to our America Sales Leadership team. However, there was something inside me compelling me to change the narrative.
I thought of my heroes: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Robinson, and Muhammad Ali. What would they do in this moment? I thought about all my black and brown colleagues, my grandparents, my immediate family, and in particular, my special needs son, Bryce. I thought of the courage he displays each and every day just facing the challenges of trying to fit in and be accepted as “normal.” By the time I reached home, I knew what I was going to do. I patted Bryce on the head and said, “Your Daddy is going to take a big risk today.”
A few hours later, I had 50 of the top America Sales Leaders in the organization on a Webex meeting. Fortunately, I had previously met with each leader and established a level of trust. We had gathered to talk about Cisco’s Social Justice Action Plan, but I told them that first, I had something else on my mind. That in the spirit of creating proximity, I wanted to share how recent events had affected me — I wanted to share my authentic self so they could truly see and hear me.
I witnessed many of the leaders instantly pick their heads up in attention. I shared my screen to show a picture of the man walking through the US Capitol building holding the confederate flag, and I posed this question to them:
“How are your African American/Black employees feeling as they see this picture? Do you know?”
The meeting went silent, all eyes glued on the screen. Time stood still. I paused for ten seconds, but it felt like ten minutes. I broke the silence by sharing what this picture represented to me. This man, walking so confidently through the Capitol Building displaying the Confederate flag with an air of intimidation and privilege served as a strong reminder of the systemic challenges that are still prevalent today. For me, this stark image encapsulated 400 years of oppression for Black and African Americans – from slavery, to mass incarceration, to Jim Crow, and a host of other racial injustices.
Despite the initial silence, the remainder of the meeting was filled with the exchange of personal stories, emotions, and inspiration. Many of the leaders reached out to me after the meeting because the discussion had a profound impact on them, and they appreciated the personal reflection. Although I originally worried this conversation was a major risk, it was met with gratitude and unlocked a dialogue that had never been broached with this team. I felt comfort knowing that they had my back and provided me with the safety to have a discussion on the topic. The time I had spent getting proximate with our leaders had opened the door to this authentic, vulnerable, and transformative experience.
I’m so proud of our 200+ leaders who are engaging in Cisco’s Inclusion Proximity Initiative. Over the last 18 months, we’ve had over 500+ meetings. Both our leaders (98%) and employees (91%) who participated have found incredible value in these discussions, and we’ve announced two major “upgrades” to the program: Employees will have the opportunity to volunteer to participate in the program and we have developed a Leader Readiness guide for our participating Executives. In the future, we will include an invitation to all Cisco Inclusive Employee Communities as we continue to Power an Inclusive Future for All through the Proximity Initiative.
Call to Action
My call to action is simple. Ask yourself, when was the last time you were vulnerable, transparent, and authentic with someone different than you at work or in your personal life? Did it unlock new conversations or inspire others to action?
Let’s challenge one another to take difference to heart – to find more ways to lead with empathy and authenticity. The next time you feel driven to take action or emboldened to do something different, I hope you think of this blog and feel encouraged to take the next big step.
Truly incredible. It’s amazing how a concept as simple as proximity can have such a profound impact. What I love the most is the inspiration you drew on from your own life to find a way to connect with others and open up a dialogue. It wasn’t about accusations or lecturing but rather finding common ground through sharing personal experiences that will no doubt lead to profound development. The most efficient and effective way to solving any problem is getting as close to it as you can so that you can understand it. It’s within this proximity that’s the best solutions are found, the strong bonds of cooperation and teamwork develop and effective long lasting change can occur.
“What we do not understand, we fear. What we fear, we judge as evil. What we judge as evil, we attempt to control. What we cannot control… We attack.”
Author unknown
As I read the words here, tears came back into my eyes as I relived that moment – that DAY – as well. I am not a person of color, so I can only imagine and sympathize with what additional emotions and memories that day imposed upon them. I appreciate the openness and vulnerability with which you addressed this national trauma and how it personally affected you, and I applaud you for doing so. Thank you for sharing.
Alex, I am so grateful for this post and for this call to action. “Ask yourself, when was the last time you were vulnerable, transparent, and authentic with someone different than you?” Wow! When was the last time, indeed? I will work on challenging the leaders I work with to “take different to heart” – to find ways to lead with empathy and authenticity. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I needed this post.
Thank you for sharing your heart and for being so transparent. The risk you thought you were taking turned out to be worth every moment of trepidation. Because of your bravery, I am inspired to be courageous with my circles of influence. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Wow, thank you Alex for writing this and opening up. I wish this didn’t have to feel like a risk you were taking, but am so glad you did. We have so much work left to do when it comes to Social Justice, but I’m glad to know you’re among the people who are putting themselves out there to make a real change.
Great story of a thoughtful leader feeling the fear and doing it anyway, the right way! Thanks for sharing.
We don’t know each other but I know who you are through soccer, at least I thought I knew who you are. After reading this I wish that I had talked with you at soccer games because you are an incredible individual. I was moved and thought provoked at the same moment. Your actions were courageous and your role model, your Son is courageous every day. Isn’t that what we all need to do? Stand up, matter and be courageous.
“You cannot really know someone till you walk in their shoes”
Thank you, for taking the risk to help us understand and feel what walking in your shoes is.
Keep asking provocative questions, sharing authentic moments, connecting us as humans and inspiring us to knock down these barriers.
Sincerely, thank you
Thank you for sharing, and for your inspirational story. The Social Justice Week was one of the powerful events I’ve seen in my career.
Thank you for sharing!
I accept this challenge and will lead with empathy and authenticity and compassion. Take difference to heart https://blogs.cisco.com/diversity/take-difference-to-heart
Alex, I am so moved by this story, by the work you do and the difference you make. Thank you for sharing something so personal and so important!
Thank you for taking the “risk” to discuss January 6th in your meeting and also for sharing your personal story here. It’s especially moving to hear the thoughts you had of your son, “the courage he displays each and every day just facing the challenges of trying to fit in and be accepted as “normal.” What a great role model you must be to him, showing your authenticity and heart, and how he clearly inspires you as well! Thank you.
Truly an amazing story and worth the ‘risk’! Thank you for not allowing politically correctness to dictate your conversations and you lead the Inclusion and Diversity group at Cisco! America needs more real conversations like this and I admire your ability to be there and be real for your company! Thank you Alex!
I am very proud to be a Cisco employee.