Like many of you, I've felt crippled by grief this past weekend. I'm grieving George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, James Scurlock, Tony McDade, and many others whose names I'll never know. As I watch police increase violence targeting black people protesting across the country amidst a global pandemic and economic recession, it feels like too much to bear or even comprehend-- especially as I continue to grieve the comforts and routines I've altered for the sake of public health.

COVID-19 has put a lot of pressure on both personal and professional values. Companies are navigating new problems and tough decisions every day, and many are worried about compromising the diversity, equity, and inclusion values that they’ve worked to shape. Workers are facing challenges they’ve never had before, and looking to employers for support through difficult transitions.

Managers who are modeling their company’s values to build strength and resilience during this challenging time start by acknowledging two things…