Let’s Get REAL: The Series Every Executive Leader Needs Now
The Racial Equity for Adaptive Leaders (REAL) podcast series addresses the challenges to equity that executive leaders face in a politically toxic time.
The podcast series, Let’s Get REAL — Racial Equity for Adaptive Leaders, was designed for executive leaders who believe that racial equity matters. Created by Dr. Joanna Shoffner Scott of Stamey Street Consulting Group and Anthony Armstong of Make Communities, the 6-episode series unpacks the organizational and personal challenges leaders are facing in today’s politically challenging time.
Tools are not sufficient to fix adaptive problems.
Adaptive leadership, an approach created by Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky is the practice of engaging leaders to navigate tough challenges. It consists of three parts: responding to large-scale change, building on past experiences, and prioritizing trying new ways of doing things. Tools and frameworks alone do not solve adaptive problems. Rather, executive leaders learn how to use adaptive approaches. For example, personal resolve, resilience, and flexiblity help make the necessary pivots toward equitable practice more sustainable. Dr. Scott and Anthony Armstrong note throughout the series that without intentional, cross-cutting approaches to racial equity, workplaces can – and usually do – replicate the same social dynamics that exist in our society. Equity becomes a practice when past and present decisions can create a shared understanding of what the racial equity impacts have been, are, and will be. Leading equitably requires tearing down siloes to build new, cross-team organizational practices.
About the REAL series
For a decade, Dr. Joanna Scott and Anthony Armstong have collaborated with organizations seeking to develop the capacity to live into their values.
The REAL series draws from their shared work supporting clients in philanthropy, nonprofits, government, academia, and the private sector. They also reference their 6P+ Race Equity Framework™, a holistic, adapative approach to embedding organizational equity by understanding the drivers of inequity and identifying levers of lasting change.
Over 6 episodes, they discuss the following:
The need for continuous growth for those in leadership roles
The difference between transactional and transformational leadership
How to manage leadership turnover
Factors that leaders should consider before starting an equity program
The opportunities and hurdles leaders most commonly face in equity work
Series Episodes
Part 1: Let’s Get REAL: Introducing Racial Equity for Adaptive Leaders
Episode Summary
In this conversation, Dr. Joanna Shoffner Scott and Anthony Armstrong, founder and lead consultant at Make Communities, discuss adaptive versus technical leadership strategies. The conversation explores the realities of imperfection, the importance of psychological safety for making mistakes, and the need for continuous growth for those in leadership roles. Together, they talk about how leaders can navigate the complex relationship between personal commitment and practical implementation to build equitable programs within their organizations.
Part 2: Are you a Transactional or a Transformational Leader?
Episode Summary
This episode is the second conversation in the series, Let's Get REAL: Racial Equity for Adaptive Leaders. In it, Dr. Joanna Shoffner Scott and Anthony Armstrong talk about the difference between transactional and transformational leadership. The distinctions between these two leadership styles matter, particularly in building racially equitable organizations. They also discuss their collaborative journey, the frameworks they've developed to help organizations approach racial equity holistically, and the importance of a shared “why” to anchor sustainable practices.
Part 3: How to Plan for Leadership Transitions
Episode Summary
In this discussion, Dr. Joanna Shoffner Scott and Anthony Armstrong share how to plan for leadership transitions. As Joanna and Anthony unpack the complexities of leadership shifts, they discuss the opportunities and challenges accompanying these shifts, emphasizing the importance of mindful and equitable practices. Whether you're a leader preparing to transition out, stepping into a new leadership role, or just interested in how leadership changes impact racial equity programs within organizations, this episode is filled with thoughtful insights and practical guidance.
Part 4: How to Design Equity Programs that Work
Episode Summary
In this conversation Dr. Joanna Shoffner Scott and Anthony Armstrong unpack strategies for designing a successful equity program. Together, they discuss the factors that leaders should consider before starting on an equity journey, addressing both the opportunities and challenges that can arise. From assessing organizational readiness to aligning aspirations with actionable steps, this conversation aims to provide leaders with insights for building meaningful and sustainable programs, even in challenging times.
Part 5: How to Overcome the Most Common Leadership Challenges
Episode Summary
Personal growth for leaders is more than just a buzzword. It's a necessity for anyone striving to align their actions with their values. In Part 5, of the Let's Get REAL: Racial Equity for Adaptive Leaders series, Dr. Joanna Shoffner Scott is joined by Anthony Armstrong to discuss the opportunities and hurdles leaders most commonly face in equity work. Joanna and Anthony explore the unique challenges leaders face, especially those of color, and the importance of building robust support systems. Using personal stories and research insights, they highlight the need for safe spaces where leaders can express themselves without judgment. The conversation concludes by celebrating the joy of living a life that is true to one's values.
Part 6: Risk, Reflection, and Resilience in Uncertain Times—Wrapping up the Series
Episode Summary
Wrapping up the series “Let’s Get REAL: Racial Equity for Adaptive Leaders,” Dr. Joanna Shoffner Scott and Anthony Armstrong explore the rapidly changing post-election landscape. They discuss the challenges leaders face amid uncertainty, drawing parallels to past experiences like the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and examining what lessons can be applied today. Joanna and Anthony also discuss the need for holding space for team members, recognizing struggles, and finding those small sparks of joy that keep us all grounded. The discussion unpacks the importance of having clear organizational values. This conversation offers thoughtful reflections and actionable insights to help you lead with purpose and resilience.
You can also listen to the series as a podcast on Spotify:
To take an action:
Stamey Street Consulting Group and Make Communities collaborate often on strategic planning, organizatonal assesssments, and customized training. Book a discovery call to learn more about how to work with Dr. Joanna Shoffner Scott and Anthony Armstrong.
To explore other aspects of their work, check out https://www.the6pframework.com/
