What does punt kick mean?

So, it’s about time I share why I chose "Punt Kick” as the name for my company, which specialises in training and consulting in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Let me start by sharing the dictionary definition, but from a very special dictionary - The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig.

 "Punt Kick: n. a quiet jolt of recognition that it’s time to become a better version of yourself, sensing that all the strategies that brought you this far are no longer working - that it’s not enough anymore to be cute or nice or righteous or tough - as if you’ve now entered a new phase in the game of life, moving forward with a completely different token."

 Why did I decide for the word Punt Kick?

Because it summarises my approach to DEI work as a trainer and a consultant and with this Punt Kick mindset I want to support my clients in their DEI journey by:

🔹 Raising self-awareness

The more I am attentive and open to my quiet jolts of recognition , the more I am aware of my bias, language, perceptions and the diversity of the people around me. The more I learn about my journey - the better I can relate to experiences of my clients, be a compassionate trainer, support them in questioning their standpoint, wherever they stand, without judging their struggles and doubts, no matter where on that journey they are.

 🔹 Doing the work

To me as a DEI trainer, it’s essential to focus the learning of my clients on ACTION. We can only become more inclusive by practicing inclusive acts and doing the work – speaking up, responding, affirming, taking brave decisions as leaders, managers, business owners. As a consultant I’m there to foster understanding what are the steps and what is the actual work to do in order to move forward in a new way, with a different token.

🔹 Signalling missing a turn

My role as a DEI consultant is to support my clients in noticing and understanding the bigger picture of what they want to achieve by creating and implementing a DEI strategy. My approach is holistic, strategic and long-term oriented. I’m there to encourage and draw a path of authentic and sustainable change and to put in place early warning systems, based on data, to keep them on track a new, more inclusive one.