Spotlight on Co-Conspirators for Positive Change – Insights from the Ask Me Anything Series

October 23, 2024 - Defence Stories

An Ask Me Anything (AMA) session organized by National Defence, Diversity and Inclusion Office at Materiel Group inspired nearly one thousand attendees to create real change in the areas of diversity, inclusion, and psychological safety within their organizations.

Entitled "Spotlight on Co-Conspirators for Positive Change in the Defence Team and Federal Public Service," panellists Sancho Angulo, Stacey Ileleji, and Samantha Moonsammy held a significant and lively discussion that was thoughtfully moderated by Ryan Dawodharry and Jasmine Swadia.

Panellists explained that, in recent years, organizations have begun to understand that real change requires not just advocacy but active partnership with others. The people who don't just stand by but work alongside those leading the charge for inclusion and culture change are called co-conspirators for positive change. This term co-conspirators for positive change was inspired by Richard Sharpe, a Canadian thought leader addressing anti-black racism who defines it as someone who leverages their privilege, voices, and platforms to create meaningful, lasting change within their workplaces and ensures that every individual feels valued, heard, and safe.

Throughout the AMA, all three panellists emphasized that everyone has the capacity to be a co-conspirator for positive change, no matter their title or level. Whether you're a student or a member of the Executive group, there is always an opportunity to use your voice to stand up for what's right within your organization.

Taking inspiration from Michelle Obama, Samantha explained that no one is handed permission to become a changemaker. It's up to each individual to claim their space, get visible and choose to make a difference. But, as the panel noted, deciding to make a change isn't easy. As Stacey pointed out, empathy is more than just an innate ability; it's a skill that must be developed. She explained that "empathy is a key building block for forming relationships… that turn into and contribute to the organizational culture." Doing so is critical to achieving our shared goal of building a more inclusive environment.

Developing this idea further, Sancho offered some practical tips on how to empower and build strong relationships with your coworkers, especially neurodivergent coworkers and those belonging to employment equity groups. As one example, Sancho recommended first asking them how you can help them get to where they want to be in their careers and then helping them achieve those goals. This simple gesture can go a long way towards not only helping others develop their skills but also empowering them to take action themselves in the future.

Overall, this AMA on being a co-conspirator for positive change served to empower members at all levels across the Federal Public Service and Defence Team to foster inclusion and make change in their organizations. The panellists and hosts held a courageous and insightful conversation, modelling for the 990+ audience members how to be co-conspirators for positive change and encouraging everyone in attendance to do the same. Quoting American novelist Alice Walker, Sancho stressed that "the most common way people give up their power is by thinking that they don't have any." By creating space for these kinds of conversations, AMA continues to serve as a reminder of the power we all hold to create a more inclusive future.

About the Ask Me Anything Series

Ask Me Anything sessions is a platform to share stories, listen, ask respectful questions and continue on our journey to becoming more inclusive organizations. As individuals you can't necessarily change where you live, you certainly can't change your past, but you can adjust who influences you—through the authors you read, music you listen to, movies you watch and interactions with your community. The Ask Me Anything series provides you with an opportunity to increase your perspective—to learn from the lived-experiences of individuals who are bravely sharing their experiences to help educate and move the public service towards a culture where equity is embedded.

The series also provides an opportunity for you to know that you aren't alone, these experiences, especially the negative ones are systemic and happen all too frequently throughout the public service. The objective by shining this light is to continually increase the network of public servants ready to take action and move forward towards a culture of inclusivity and belonging.

More to read from the Diversity and Inclusion Office:

• Visibility Matters: Amplifying the Voices of 2SLGBTQIA+ Community on International Day of Pink
• Ask Me Anything: Reconnecting with identity: A courageous conversation in honour of National Indigenous History Month
• Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles Program Success Stories – Adriana Melendez and Adam Frey
• Highlights from the Lifting as You Lead Mentoring Circles launch event
• A Milestone in Mentorship: Highlights from The Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles Program Graduation
• Navigating the Art of Negotiation - Recap of Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles Program
• Cultivating Psychological Safety Through Inclusive Leadership – Recap of Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles Program
• A Non-Performative approach to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Insights from the Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles Program