From the course: How to Support Colleagues from Underrepresented Groups

The three Rs of support

From the course: How to Support Colleagues from Underrepresented Groups

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The three Rs of support

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- Meaningful support is never a one and done thing, especially as you're looking to engage in supporting the careers of your colleagues from marginalized groups. There's so much more that is needed of you. Support that leads to lasting relationships over time where you can use your privilege to continue bringing down the obstacles standing in front of so many people, that is where lasting change happens, both for the individual and for society. Sustainable support comes in three ways, through ritualized, repeatable and regular interactions. It's what brings coalitions of people closer together so you can better implement actions that will get someone closer to their goals, not once, but in many instances over time. The first is ritualized interactions. You can build trust with anyone when your relationship incorporates rituals. This can be going for walks to talk about what's happening in their life, or it could be the same lunch spot that you choose each time you connect. Building familiarity into your connections will give you a better springboard for the support that you're offering. The second is repeatable. Checking in with someone once a year, it doesn't breed the same connective tissue as checking in every first Friday of the month, for example. If you can get into a habit of repeatable interactions with the people that you're looking to support, that support will become even more meaningful. The last is regular, meaning not every interaction needs to be a big commitment. Sometimes a small, quick gesture is all you need. That's what will keep you doing it. I engage in these three Rs in my mentorship relationships as a mentee. For example, I have a standing weekly Zoom with one of my former comms professors to check in, to gain wisdom and solve problems. One of my other mentors has Thursdays at Landmark, where she has office hours at the same restaurant every week, and anyone can come meet with her. It's a perfect example of the three Rs, which is also one of the many reasons why she's changing so many women's lives, mine included. Get into a habit of regularly emailing, conversing and lending your support resources to the people in your office. You'll get into a better cadence of offering what you have to give if you make it a regular thing.

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