From Inc. This Morning, Cameron Albert-Deitch, Reporter, Inc.
 

After protesters started taking to the streets in all 50 states and around the world two weeks ago, Daymond John convened an open forum with his entire team.

It was a chance for some employees to share their experiences with racism, economic justice, and the police. Others could ask questions without fear of judgment. “For a lot of people, this is heavy on their hearts,” John said on Tuesday during Inc.’s latest Real Talk: Business Reboot webinar. “It opened up a dialogue.”

Listening, John said, is an important step to healing and creating a more inclusive business and community. “Listening is on both sides,” he noted. “We have more in common than we do apart.”

Another major theme from the discussion: figuring out what’s next. John acknowledged that the coming years will be very challenging for many business owners. To deal with that, he said, every founder or business owner should start by taking inventory of what’s in front of them. Then, ask a few key questions:

• What can I control?
• Who can I call?
• Who can I collaborate with?

John offered plenty more useful advice--read our recap to learn about the power of collaboration, the importance of listening, and why you need to be full-on obsessed with your customers. You can also watch video clips of the event’s highlights, including a full recording of the hourlong conversation.