A signpost doesn’t move.
It doesn’t walk ahead and clear the path. It doesn’t carry you where you need to go. It doesn’t even tell you what decision to make.
It just stands there, in the middle of whatever is happening, and points.
That ‘s the work.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. What it means to be a source of direction for others when you’re not sure of the way yourself. What it means to help without having all the answers. What it means to show up as a teacher, a journalist, an organizer, a community member when everything feels uncertain.
Being a signpost isn’t about having it figured out. It’s about being present enough, aware enough, and grounded enough to help others find their way, even when you’re also navigating your own path.
What Signposts Actually Do
I’ve been watching the signposts in my life. The ones that help me navigate when I’m lost. Here’s what I notice they do.
They acknowledge the difficulty. They don’t pretend the path is easy or obvious. They don’t offer false hope or shallow optimism. They say: “Yes, this is hard. You’re not wrong about that.”
They point toward what matters. Not a single “right” answer, but a direction worth considering. A question worth asking. A person worth talking to. A practice worth trying.
They stay put. When everyone else is moving frantically, signposts remain. They’re consistent. You can return to them and find them still there, still pointing, still holding space.
They connect people to each other. The best signposts don’t just point one way. They help people see that others are traveling too. They make visible the network of paths and fellow travelers.
They don ‘t have to be perfect. A weathered signpost that’s been through storms is often more trustworthy than a shiny new one. The wear shows it has been standing there through harsh weather.
When Have You Been a Signpost?
You probably don’t think of yourself this way. Most signposts don’t.
But I’m guessing there’s been a moment when:
- Someone came to you not for answers, but just to think out loud
- You helped a colleague see a possibility they couldn’t see for themselves
- You stayed present with someone’s struggle instead of trying to fix it
- You connected two people who needed each other
- You kept showing up when others had given up
That was signpost work. Even if you didn’t realize it.
The Work Ahead
Civil rights historian Vincent Harding used the phrase “live human signposts” to describe people who, in the midst of struggle, helped others find direction toward justice and freedom. Not by having all the answers, but by being present, by pointing toward what mattered, by staying grounded when everything was uncertain.
We need signposts now. Not heroes. Not experts. Just people willing to stand in place together and point toward what matters.
That’s why we’re building Signpost Sessions. Community conversations starting in January for anyone working toward justice, equity, and hope in education and beyond.
What We’re Building
Three modules. Slow-paced, spacious, and primarily asynchronous.
1. See (Jan–Feb) What are we actually facing? What are we carrying in our different contexts, countries, and roles?
2. Sense (Mar–Apr) How do we make meaning together? Who are the signposts in our lives? What stories, practices, or people help us find our bearings?
3. Show (May–Jun) How do we show up as signposts for others? What does that look like in our work, our communities, and our commitments?
This is not a webinar series. It’s a collective storytelling project rooted in care, privacy, and slow documentation.
- Audio reflections
- Narrative synthesis
- Gentle prompts
- Optional synchronous gatherings (no recordings allowed)
- Community agreements grounded in anonymity-by-default and consent-forward design
Your voice helps shape the shared story we’re building together.
We Need Co-Facilitators
We’re inviting 1–2 co-facilitators per module who can help guide prompts, hold space, and support documentation. You don’t need to be an expert or a public speaker. You just need to care about the work.
Facilitation includes:
- Shaping 1–2 guiding questions
- Welcoming participants
- Helping hold synchronous conversations (if you join those)
- Reviewing and documenting themes from audio stories
- Honoring privacy and consent in every step
If one of the modules speaks to you — See, Sense, or Show — reach out.
📧 hello@initiativeforliteracy.org
📧 hello@wiobyrne.com
We’ll schedule a brief conversation to determine the best fit and outline next steps.
A Few Questions Before You Go
When has someone been a signpost for you?
When have you quietly been one for someone else?
And might you be willing to stand with us, point toward what matters, and help co-create this space?
We don’t have to have it all figured out. We just have to stand together.
That’s the work of signposts.
#init4eachother