In all the heightened discussions of racism this week, in response to those casting doubt on its prevalence, the retort is regularly ‘do the work’. This shouldn’t be taken solely as read some books (though of course that is valuable). It means much more than that. 1/6

If you are in a leadership position, it means changing your recruitment practices to root out discrimination at every stage of selection. It means challenging every instance of racism in the workplace with every bit of energy you have. 2/6

It means making clear you will not tolerate differential outcomes for people of colour and calling out those who let it happen. It means spending money on authentic inclusion strategies. It means risking making yourself unpopular. 3/6

It means not accepting that representation can be measured by the numbers of images used in marketing. It means becoming comfortable with the deathly silence when you use the term ‘racism’ in meetings. 4/6

It means challenging the use of intersectionality as a cover for not actively addressing race. It means using your budget on initiatives that challenge racism rather than feathering your CV nest. It means not leaving anti-racism solely to colleagues of colour. 5/6

*That* is the work for those in leadership. And that is what those of us in privileged positions should be held to account for