A Budget is a Moral Document

This idea has pervaded my life since childhood, but I hadn't heard (or remembered) the phrase until I saw it last summer, painted starkly on a building mural near George Floyd Square in Minneapolis. For days I couldn't get the phrase out of my head.

Budgets reflect values - that's not news. I've seen this at play in institutional budgets on every campus where I've worked. It's at the heart of our debates every budget cycle. As leaders, we have a responsibility to ensure our institutional values and our distribution of resources are aligned. And when they're not? We should be honest about that.

After seeing George Floyd Square, I began to wonder what our lives could look like if we approached all our budgets through this lens. How would we allocate our money? Our time? Energy? Our love?

Today I invite you to think about the resources you have and what you do with them. What do you save and spend? What do you cling to out of fear or worry? What do you generously distribute? And why? What's behind all those choices and feelings?

This is just one issue I help women leaders explore in my new course, Leading with Clarity. The course gives leaders the space and community that makes it possible to think deeply and connect the dots between our personal values and priorities, the ways we plan, and how we lead our teams. Doors will open soon -- join the waitlist so you can be first to hear when registration opens!

Join the waitlist: https://theclareogroup.com/leadingwithclarity

 

Let's connect! Come find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook.

I also coach women leaders (individually and in groups) and facilitate campus workshops. Learn more at the website.

Have a question about whether I can help you? Just ask! I actually love getting emails from listeners. 🧡