Let me say this. The concept of "listening" as applied to the leaders of large organizations and their workers is one of the most misunderstood and depoliticizing concepts out here - with race, gender and many other areas of social justice.

The concept of leaders "listening" in corporate or corporate like organizations is almost always applied to defang power struggles by presenting them as a "dialogues."

The idea of leaders "listening" or having a sit-down also invites us into the ahistorical delusion that injustice results from the ignorance of leaders (rather than their priorities and class interests) and that transformative change happens because leaders willingly make it so.

To workers at various organizations. Be crystal clear. Our struggle against various forms of oppression and for fair working conditions is not a "dialogue" it is a power struggle.

Whatever rights POC's, women, queer folks, people with disabilities have earned. We didn't earn those because leaders learned through dialogue what was wrong. Instead, the historical record is clear. Dominant institutions were FORCED to do things they didn't want to do.

Of course in the broader sense, "listening" is important. But listening in the context of struggle or in what is actually political negotiation is completely different from these depoliticizing, corporate "listening" strategies.

I also acknowledge that some leaders are sincere in their efforts to learn and change. But their sincerity and learning what ultimately decides our fates. And we must not trade that for the fantasy of benevolent leadership.

I have worked for so many organizations, including some in podcasting that were very willing to listen - and totally opposed to recognizing their own workers as legitimate bodies to negotiate with. Think about that.

I want you all to understand that my inbox is filled with offers from organizations who want me to come have a charming chat with them about race - INSTEAD of being accountable to their own workers and the communities that they affect.

Listen folks. I am employed as an educator. I try to educate myself & others through organizing, study, listening & podcasting. But in these institutions, the mirage of workers "educating" their leaders & oppressed folk educating everyone gets used shadily and can do real harm.

I'm going to stop. But when it comes to building real power I've learned a ton from folks in my own union like @ProfTWolf @murchnik @SherryTalksBack @ProfessorKumar & others.
Let's figure out how to be here for each other. https://www.dissentmagazine.org/blog/injury-to-all-at-rutgers-university

Sorry one last thing - for those of us who have trouble imagining change outside of dialogues, there is a rich literature by organizers on COERVICE power & strategies for justice, including but not limited to its peaceful forms.
Those in the know feel free to add examples -

BTW - all of this also applies to the failed 150+ year strategy of police "listening" to communities. The key difference is that workers must take control of our organizations. Communities must rid themselves of police and the conditions that police use to pretend to be needed.