A Leader's Guide To Unpacking Your Invisible Knapsack

What are you carrying in your invisible knapsack that you need to unpack? In today's episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Emily Roh, an antiracist coach and facilitator and the founder of My Invisible Knapsack. Emily's passion for social justice and equity is evident in the work she does, and she shares her journey to becoming an advocate for change. With her unique perspective and experiences, Emily offers valuable insights on how we can all work towards creating a more just and equitable world. You’ll hear us discussing ideas such as: The meaning and origins of the “invisible knapsack”: Emily expands on the original concept: she says that we’re all carrying an invisible knapsack, not just of privilege but also of trauma and disconnection from ourselves. Her coaching is about helping people unpack their knapsacks.Trauma in the workplace: trauma can show up in the workplace in a variety of ways. Emily explains that there are two types of trauma: "trauma with a big T" and "trauma with a little T," which refers to the everyday traumas that people of color experience from microaggressions. This can make you feel like you have to leave parts of yourself behind in order to fit in and be accepted. White supremacy culture: white supremacy culture in the workplace can create a culture of pressure and trauma for people of color. We often feel the need to "be twice as good" in order to succeed. While discussing this topic is often uncomfortable, leaders need to critically understand how it is reinforced by systems and power structures, and that it is getting in the way of the work.   What organizations can do to support BIPOC leaders: Leaders must do the self-work and sit with the discomfort Creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive cultures starts with leadership - if you don’t have leadership commitment, you’re wasting time. Lead from a place of vulnerability and transparency. Healing is done in community: in order to heal from lifelong generational trauma, we must do it together.  What’s possible when we truly commit to transforming our workplaces into spaces: antiracism work is hard work, but it leads to a more sustainable and fulfilling future for everyone. Resources:Emily Roh | Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPeggy McIntosh | Invisible KnapsackShawn Ginwright | The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice, Reimagining OurselvesTema Okun | White Supremacy Culture