We’ve talked a lot about the emotional aspects of leadership on this podcast, and the concept of vulnerability is (I hope) a through-line that appears in each episode.
But there is another emotion that I don’t think we’ve covered in-depth: forgiveness.
Now, I know we’ve touched on this idea, especially in the realm of forgiving one’s self, but I can’t say we’ve ever dedicated an entire episode to the concept.
That is until this week.
Not only has my guest become a master on the subject of forgiveness, he has done so in response to one of the most heartbreaking tragedies one can imagine - the loss of a child.
Azim Khamisa was an international banker pursuing the American Dream when in 1995 his only son, Tariq, was murdered while delivering pizzas part-time.
Tariq’s killer, Tony Hicks, was only 14.
He would become the youngest person in California history to be tried as an adult.
These facts alone would have made Azim’s story a notable one, but it was the steps he took after his son’s murder that make it one for the history books.
Shortly after losing Tariq, Azim met with Tony’s grandfather, Ples Felix, and together they began what is today known as the Tariq Khamisa Foundation with a mission to teach non-violence and conflict management to young people.
And the foundation of their work is rooted in radical forgiveness and restorative justice.
Azim and I discuss what it means to truly forgive, the necessity for a belief in something bigger than yourself, and why violence is a behavior that can be - thankfully - unlearned.
This one is definitely on the heavier side, but I think it’s well worth the listen.
Enjoy the show!
-Azim’s TED Talk
-Azim’s Books
-Azim’s Courses
