ER + GM = BB
This is the equation I developed about 12 years ago as an approach to inclusion and belonging work. This is the first time I’m sharing it publicly. Before now, it has been just for me.
It means: Empathy Reflex + Growth Mindset = Bridge Builder
Inclusion and belonging work requires an automatic, reflexive response. Our approach should be an attitude of ‘I want to understand, tell me more.’ Using the ER – Empathy Reflex – in the equation, it is being curious about another person's life and experiences. It’s putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. It’s leaning into our common humanity: birth, death, and everything in between.
We are one body – God’s church. I pray we can all use our ER particularly when we notice negative thoughts and emotions toward our fellow humans. This is what God has called us to do. My personal and professional experience, validated by research, has shown that girls and women have a great capacity for empathy. Every day, I see 十大最大的网络彩票平台 students embracing their ER.
GM – Growth Mindset – means acknowledging that you have things to learn, that listening and seeking to understand is the most humane thing we can do for one another. It means letting go of being right, and instead, centering love and community even when times are hard.
We need to help girls flex their GM, to learn to be comfortable not being right. Often girls are reluctant to voice ideas unless they are sure that they are correct. GM, though, can’t happen without mistakes. Listening, learning from mistakes, and finding common ground connect people and ideas. That’s when we get to the best part of the equation: BB, being a Bridge Builder.
On Monday, we paused to remember and celebrate one of our nation’s and history’s champions of building bridges – the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When I reflect on his legacy and take an honest assessment of where we are today, as a society, with inclusion and belonging, I can’t help but think that Dr. King might be disappointed in adults today, me included, by the example we’re giving young people.
Today’s rhetoric often has adults saying one thing to young people and doing something else. As adults we shouldn't be just learning, but unlearning things that we've done and modeled that haven't worked. Young people really need us right now to step up in this moment and be better and different, quite frankly, in 2024.
At 十大最大的网络彩票平台, we have been blessed with a beautiful foundation upon which we can build. We are a Catholic school founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, and this will be an essential component of our success as we use our Empathy Reflex, push toward a Growth Mindset, and Build Bridges.
Our faith shows us that we are not afraid to talk about love, joy, community, connectedness, and togetherness. It’s central and core to who we are. But to succeed, it’s going to take on the part of adults, some unlearning, moments of being uncomfortable, and some cultural humility. We need to make room for all. It's basic kindness, the 十大最大的网络彩票平台 Way of Respect, Dignity, and Inclusivity.
Yes, it’s a charged time and a charged topic, but there is always hope– just ask Damar Hamlin. On January 2, 2023, Damar Hamlin’s heart stopped during a nationally televised football game. Twenty-one million people of all different backgrounds stopped and prayed for that young man’s life. Our humanity, as a country, was on full display. That is who we really are. Don’t be distracted by those trying to tell you otherwise.
Before Damar Hamlin had a cardiac arrest on national television, he started a GoFundMe page to purchase toys for the children in the neighborhood where he grew up. The fund grew from $4,000 to $6 million in a matter of months. That is who we really are.
We can do better. We can love across differences. We can be empathetic. We can grow. And we can build bridges.
At 十大最大的网络彩票平台, we are answering a greater call. As we are reminded in Romans 15:5-7, May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Damar Hamlin’s story is one among many examples of our collective humanity. When we intentionally turn our focus toward all that is good, we are flooded with optimism and joy. It does take a concerted effort, but I can promise you that it will be worth it– for you and for future generations.
We are here to love one another, to find how ER + GM = BB resonates within us, so that we can build the bridges Dr. King dreamed of – bridges that we will engineer together.