Learning to Lead: Acceptance
As Black Minimalists (BM) approaches it's one-year anniversary, I am reflecting on how far we've come. We had great ambitions and we accomplished a lot, like releasing the Simply Black ebook on our launch, having our first volunteer meetup, launching our podcast and coaching services, as well as connecting to over 4,000 folks via our online platforms. To most, these are great accomplishments and more than enough in one-year and it's true, still, there were some things that never got off the ground or are still lingering on the back burner.
When we launched BM, I don't think any of us anticipated how our personal lives would be impacted. As with life in general, there have been many transitions and realizations. As the leader, it has been frustrating at times to feel like we have not capitalized on our unique position to make an impact. It's also difficult not to compare yourself to other groups on a similar path.
The reality is we overestimated what we felt we should've been doing and what we were actually capable of given our circumstances. The circumstances being, we are four individuals on our own journeys, with our own projects, and with different obligations that need to be taken into account. As a result, we've had to take a step back and re-evaluate our purpose and goals. Personally, I've also had to manage my expectations for our development.
We are all new to this experience of creating and leading an organization with this mission. We are still getting to know each other, growing into our roles, and understanding what is required to successfully manage Black Minimalists in a way that is aligned with our personal goals, values, and BM's purpose.
Right now, we want to embrace where we are and give ourselves space to regroup and get into alignment. We also are acknowledging: We have done enough (for now) and BM is enough in its current existence.
Learning To Lead: Forming the Black Minimalists Team
When I first started searching for black minimalists three years ago, I had no idea what this community would develop into. Of course, I had my ideas and dreams about what it could be, but to see what it is actually becoming is overwhelming, in a great way.
Getting Black Minimalists (BM) off the ground was very challenging and at times I thought about giving up on this dream, but every time I set BM to the side, I always received some message or sign this community was needed.
At the end of 2016, I made up my mind I was going to launch BM by myself and even if it took me forever, this space would exist someday. In the process of gathering contributors for our ebook, Simply Black, I was meeting many black minimalist women and getting to know them through their stories.
The truth is, I'd had trouble forming a team to execute the vision I had for BM and even though I had resolved to see it through on my own, deep down I knew it would be a struggle given everything I had going on. So I decided to trust my instincts and the good vibes I was receiving from this awesome group of women and ask who might be interested.
Well, first I approached Farai Harreld. I can't say why, but instinct led me and we vibed on our first call. I shared with her my plans and we decided it was a good idea to ask the other ladies involved if they would be interested. From there, three women expressed serious interest in founding BM. Kenya Cummings, Anekia Nicole, and Bryttany Hyde. Bryttany is no longer with the BM leadership, but we appreciate all her efforts in helping us launch.
I was nervous to say the least. Nervous about leading these women and how it would go because of my past experiences with forming a team. I knew Kenya, I followed Anekia online and she was in my second Black Minimalists on the Web roundup, and I didn't know anything about Farai or Bryttany. Looking back, maybe it was crazy to begin this way. I had no clue about how well we would work together if at all, but here we are thriving and learning about each other and this community everyday.
That's not to say everything is perfect, but it is working. So, I guess my first lesson about learning to lead is trusting your intuition. This is my first time leading a team in this capacity. I've been a supervisor and lead teams in a professional setting, but it's different when working in your passion. Trusting my intuition is crucial not only in my development as a leader, but also as a part of my human and spiritual evolution.
As we approach a year of working together as a team to run Black Minimalists, I will be sharing with you what I'm learning as I grow into the leader I'm becoming.