Lead by example

 It’s Friday… which for millions of Muslims means one thing: Jumu’ah.

A weekly moment of faith, reflection and community, and for many employees something they are quietly trying to squeeze in between meetings, deadlines and leaders who have not quite understood what the day actually means. We all love saying bring your whole self to work, but as leaders we should be asking ourselves: Do my Muslim colleagues feel comfortable stepping out for Friday prayers? Do they have an actual space to pray that is not a stairwell, a car park or a cupboard? Have I planned meetings and shifts in a way that respects what matters to them? Here is the reality: There are almost four million Muslims in the UK and Jumu’ah is not optional. It is part of their week. But this is not only about Muslims. On Sundays many Christians attend church but their shift patterns do not always make that easy. On Saturdays Jewish colleagues observe Shabbat which affects availability, travel and even tech use. Different faiths, different needs, one leadership responsibility. Now a word to policing. In policing we know public safety always comes first. Operational demand is the priority and that will never change. But leadership still matters. If you are a line manager, sergeant or inspector and you never do a simple Friday check in with your Muslim officers by asking questions like: What time is Jumu’ah today Can we make it work with the demand Do you need a space to pray If none of that crosses your mind then I am really sorry to tell you… you are not doing your job properly. Supporting officers in their faith does not weaken operational policing. It strengthens it. Officers who feel respected are more likely to stay in the service. They are more confident and more motivated. They are far less likely to burn out or disengage. And it costs absolutely nothing to avoid scheduling a briefing at the exact moment someone is praying. You will not bankrupt the budget by being considerate. So here is your Friday challenge: If you are a leader in policing, the public sector or the private sector are you actually considering the faith needs of your team... Or are they working around you instead of you working with them? Inclusion is not a theory. It is not a policy. It is a habit. A weekly habit. Just like Jumu’ah. Just like Sunday service. Just like Shabbat. Happy Friday. Let’s lead better than we did last week. 🤝✨