Are we suppressing the vibe through our leadership?

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Welcome to the Leader’s Lens: The Perspective Shift issue!

This issue offers a fresh perspective and actionable tips to enhance your leadership this week.

Send me an email and let me know how you plan on implementing this perspective shift in your leadership!

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Back in college, my buddy Nick and I had this side hustle that taught me everything I know about reading a room.

We were the MCs and DJs for university dances and parties. It started when we were freshmen at this fraternity dance, watching the DJ, thinking "We could totally do this better."

The music was cool, the energy was decent, but we just knew we could create something different.

So we went back to our dorm rooms and practiced like with focus and precision. Got our shot at the Black Student Union dance, nailed the audition in our dorm room, and before we knew it, we had a work-study gig DJing campus events.

Here's what I learned: When you're behind those turntables, playing the music is only one aspect of the performance.

• You're reading the room.

• You're watching how people respond.

• You're adjusting in real time to keep the energy where it needs to be.

If the dance floor starts clearing out, that's on you. If people are standing around looking bored, that's feedback. Your job is to create an atmosphere where people want to show up, stay engaged, and get down with the vibe.

The Leadership Connection

Fast forward to today, I'm not spinning tracks like that anymore… but I'm still reading the room.

I’ve led a team of over 25 people, supervised projects with high velocity, and managed satellite 45 locations of volunteers, and honestly? The principles are the same. My job is to create an environment where people feel something; where they know they're part of something meaningful.

Just like back then, I have to be intentional about:

• The interactions we have

• The vision I'm casting

• The actions we take to move our work forward

If I'm not conscious of the vibe I'm creating, we won't succeed. And just like a bad DJ can clear a dance floor, a leader who's not paying attention can kill the energy that makes great work possible.

What It Means to Read Your Team's Vibe

Here's what I've learned about understanding the current energy in your team:

Pay attention to how people respond: Not just what they say in meetings, but how they show up. Are they engaged? Are they contributing ideas? Or are they just going through the motions?

Have real conversations: Ask your team members what they're thinking and feeling. Not just about tasks, but about the work environment itself.

Listen for what's not being said: Sometimes the most important feedback comes from what people aren't sharing.

Creating the Vibe You Want

Just like when Nick and I would plan our setlist, you have to be intentional about the culture you're building.

Define what "good" looks like: What does an engaged, empowered team feel like? What does it look like when people feel confident contributing their ideas without fear of judgment?

Involve people in the creation: The best DJs take requests and read the crowd. The best leaders involve their team in decision-making. When people have a voice in shaping the direction, they're more invested in the outcome.

Check in regularly: Just like adjusting the music based on the dance floor, you have to regularly assess how your team is responding to your leadership and make

Don't Be a Vibe Suppresser

You know what kills the energy faster than anything? A leader who's so focused on themselves that they stop paying attention to their team.

I see this happen when leaders:

• Make decisions without input

• Don't create space for different perspectives

• Get defensive when someone challenges an idea

• Assume they know what their team needs without asking

The antidote? Stay curious. Keep asking questions. Actually care about how your team members are experiencing the work and the environment you're creating together.

Whether you're behind a DJ booth or leading a team meeting, our job is the same: create an environment where people want to show up and engage.

That means being intentional about the energy you bring, staying tuned in to how people are responding, and being willing to adjust when something isn't working.

Because when you get the vibe right, everything else becomes possible. People contribute their best ideas. They take ownership of the work. They stick around when things get challenging.

But if you kill the vibe? You lose all of that.

So ask yourself: What's the energy like on your team right now? And what do you need to adjust to create the environment where your people can do their best work?

This whole concept of "reading the room" as a leader is something I dive deeper into in my work with mid-level leaders. If you want to explore how to create teams where people actually want to show up and contribute their best, let's continue the conversation.

What resonates with you about this? I'd love to hear how you're thinking about the vibe you're creating in your leadership.

Now is the moment,

Ray

P.S. — This post is based on my YouTube video, "Leader, Don't Kill My Vibe" episode. It's one of my favorites because it gets at something we don't talk about enough in leadership: the energy we create matters just as much as the strategy we implement.

By the way! I wrote a book to help leaders become social justice advocates within their communities!

“Advocacy in Action” is a practical guide for individuals and leaders on the journey to an anti-racist/anti-bias society. The book provides practical actions that readers can take in their current roles to create inclusive communities.

The author, Raymond D. White, challenges readers to reframe their mindset to a learning posture that is continuously improving, shedding expectations of perfection and seeing this as a stepping stone on their journey.

The book breaks down barriers to joining anti-racist work, develops tactical ways to act, encourages readers on their journey, and provides reflective questions to explore how they can put what they’ve learned into practice.

With a focus on building relationships, analyzing internal and intercultural circles, and seeking accountability, “Advocacy in Action” is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to make a positive impact in their community.

You can order a signed copy of the book here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://raymondwhite.net/shop/aiabook⁠Ray

Whenever you are ready, here are ways you can work with me:

• 🎤Speaking - As a Speaker and Facilitator, I will engage your team on how belonging and inclusivity can increase your team dynamics! ​Book Ray Now

• 🤝Coaching - As a Coach, I will help you enhance the power of inclusivity and empathy to be an effective leader through an equity lens! Book a Call Now

• 📘Consulting - As a Consultant, I will help strengthen your organizational culture to increase the employee experience and retention! Book a Consultation Now

P.P.S. - Thank you to those who have filled out the survey letting me know more about your leadership journey! I am excited to dive into the results over the next couple of weeks to provide you with resources and content that will support your leadership! If you haven’t filled it out yet, do so by clicking the link here!