Impact Over Intent: A Moment Where I Got It Wrong

National Reconciliation Week is approaching, and many workplaces are beginning to plan what they will do.

Last week, we reflected on the pressure many teams feel to “get it right,” and the importance of sharing responsibility so this work doesn’t sit with only a few people.

This week, we shift the focus.

From intention – to impact.

Good intentions matter. But they are not the full story.

Most people want to do the right thing. That matters. But in Reconciliation and Allyship, good intent on its own is not the measure. The deeper question – especially for those of us going All In – is:

What was the impact of our actions?

Sometimes, without realising it, we may:

• Say something that causes hurt
• Create discomfort in a conversation
• Unintentionally increase cultural load

Not because we don’t care. But because we are all still learning.

A moment where I got it wrong

In our  program, we share real workplace scenarios like this. In one example, I (Carla) am told during a meeting that something I said was offensive.

My first instinct could have been to explain what I meant. To defend my intent.

But instead, I try to stay open to the impact. To listen. To learn.

[Watch the video here]

These moments are not easy. But they are where the real work happens.

Allyship is a daily practice

Being All In means realising that Reconciliation is not a one-day event or a single week of the year.

As we often say: Allyship is like washing the dishes with humility.

It’s a quiet, daily practice of showing up, doing the work, and being willing to reflect, learn, and try again. Being All In means:

• Hearing feedback without defensiveness
• Approaching mistakes with curiosity rather than shame
• Staying open, even when it feels uncomfortable

A simple reflection for this week

If you’re exploring this with your team, you might reflect on a moment where feedback didn’t feel easy. Ask yourselves:

• How did I respond to the feedback?

• Was I open and curious, or did I become defensive?

• Was there an opportunity to learn from that moment?

Feedback is never easy. But it is often where the most meaningful learning begins.

Learn together this National Reconciliation Week

These are the kinds of honest “hard yarns” we explore in our National Reconciliation Week webinars. Through real workplace examples and guided discussion, we support individuals and teams to move beyond good intentions and build confidence in real moments.

[Explore the NRW 2026 webinar options here]

Because Reconciliation is not a moment. It’s something we build together, every day.