Okay, I just read the first page of I'll Take You There: A Practical Guide to Empathy, Mindfulness, and Communication by Shantigarbha, and I already highly recommend it.
I smile seeing empathy, mindfulness, and communication in the same title.
The very first paragraph of the intro says this:
"We get connected with each other in the space that opens up when we let go of our ideas of good and bad, right and wrong. When we feel safe and connected to ourselves, we don't need to use those labels. When we are connected to ourselves, we are also connected to the people around us."
Holy shit. Do I even need to read further?
That’s what it's all about. Connection. To ourselves first. Then to others.
If you know me, worked with me, and/or read my writing, you know that I think DEI professionals get too caught up in doing "DEI things," and don't focus enough on the personal development work required to drive impact and affect change.
You want diversity? Inclusion? Belonging? Equitable workplace cultures?
Challenge people to be empathetic. Teach them to be mindful. Model how to communicate with compassion.
Second paragraph: "Through empathy we can find a way to stay connected to our humanity and to contribute to a more peaceful world."
Yep, this is going to be a good book.