Learning Happens Where Discomfort Begins

As you may remember from our blog last month, June brought a renewed commitment to deep listening, learning, and intentional action relating to dismantling systemic racism. We are focused towards a more equitable society, and how we can continue to demonstrate this through our work with leaders and organizations. Our learning has come in the form of podcasts, movies, books, blogs, discussions, delivering virtual leadership development workshops, and participating in peaceful demonstrations. As we deepen our knowledge and awareness, we peel back additional layers of the proverbial onion, realizing that we have only begun to scratch the surface.

What are we noticing? That the more we learn, the less we know. We’re noticing that learning is not just a cognitive process - that it’s easy for us to stay in our “heads” in a book or movie, but that true growth and learning happens in other domains such as our body and spirit. We’re realizing our blind spots, our biases, and as much as there is new learning, there is also a deep unlearning afoot. And boy, there is a lot of discomfort.

We are reminded first-hand that of which we encourage our clients to embrace - that learning happens in the discomfort zone. In Unlocking Us, Laverne Cox states: “There is a difference between discomfort and not being safe”. What has helped us navigate that distinction? Acknowledging the discomfort, being curious about it, recognizing its roots, and owning it - not offloading our discomforts on others or through blame. Why? Because we deeply want a meaningful life and as Susan David shares “Discomfort is the price of admission to a meaningful life”.

Let us always push our comfort zones. Let us challenge our stories. Let us unlearn as much as we learn. Let us choose a meaningful life.