After Further Consideration

Ep. 5: The Balance of Hope and Frustration

Episode Summary

In this episode, Cody and Tomika explore the intersections of leadership, DEI, and self-care the day after the 2024 election, reflecting on what today’s political climate reveals about our society and our approach to diversity and inclusion. Together, they dive into how leaders in higher education can navigate complex, often polarized spaces to foster lasting equity and community engagement. Cody and Tomika share personal experiences and outline the need for leaders to be grounded, adaptable, and focused on the humanity behind their work.

Episode Notes

In this episode, Cody and Tomika explore the intersections of leadership, DEI, and self-care the day after the 2024 election, reflecting on what today’s political climate reveals about our society and our approach to diversity and inclusion. Together, they dive into how leaders in higher education can navigate complex, often polarized spaces to foster lasting equity and community engagement. Cody and Tomika share personal experiences and outline the need for leaders to be grounded, adaptable, and focused on the humanity behind their work.

Key Takeaways:

• Hope as Fuel: In the face of societal challenges, sustaining hope is crucial to staying committed to DEI work and fostering inclusive communities.
• Revisiting DEI Work: Tomika and Cody challenge listeners to go beyond acronyms like DEI, emphasizing a deeper connection to the actual issues and lived experiences within equity, accessibility, and justice.
• Nuanced Leadership: Effective leadership means embracing complexity, recognizing diverse perspectives, and balancing long-term goals with relational and community-focused actions.
• Leadership as Community: Real change in higher ed relies on building genuine, inclusive communities that allow for disagreement, growth, and the presence of all voices, even those that differ from our own.
• Self-Care as a Leadership Tool: Cody and Tomika stress the importance of leaders caring for their own well-being, as this directly influences resilience and the capacity to support others.
• Embodying Ubuntu in Leadership: Tomika calls for a communal approach to leadership, grounded in the African philosophy of Ubuntu—"I am because we are"—to ensure equity work is shared and sustainable.