3 Focuses for Women of Color to Achieve Workplace Parity

As women of color, we face unique challenges as we work to achieve workplace parity. From not seeing other faces in leadership roles that look like us to dealing with negative stereotypes and (often unconscious) biases in the workplace.

In order for us to achieve workplace parity, we must focus on 3 things:

1. Become essential to the success of your organization
2. Own your power at all times
3. Ask for promotions into leadership roles

Let’s dive into each one.

• Become essential to the success of your organization.
  When you create high levels of unique value, you become essential to the success of your organization. Before you begin each workday, meeting or a critical conversation, set an intention to create value at your maximum capacity.  Create value not just in your own projects but also for your peers, your team, your boss and anyone you interact with. Lean into your authenticity to create unique value.

  For any leader, it’s always clear which employees are most essential to the leader’s success and the success of the organization. Retaining them is a key priority. Having said that, I know firsthand that our internal and external barriers could potentially sabotage our ability to contribute value. Upon graduation with a degree in Computer Science, I was fortunate to receive a job offer from a high-tech startup.

  At first, I went to work every day with a spring in my step and poured my heart into my work. Soon I realized that I was the only woman of color in my organization of 2000 Engineers. My colleagues had degrees from better ranked colleges. Many of them boasted master’s degrees and PhDs. I started comparing myself with them and convinced myself there was nothing I would know that they didn’t already know so my ideas will not matter. This instilled fear of speaking up.

  I was on a one-year work visa, and if they could easily hire someone else to replace me, they would not extend my visa. This forced for me to learn how to face my fear, speak up and contribute high levels of unique value towards the success of my organization. If you are like me and are afraid to speak up, watch my TedX talk.

• Own your power at all times.
  As a woman of color, you will come across many people who will undermine your capabilities due to the negative stereotypes and biases (often unconscious)  prevalent in our workplaces. When this happens, do not give your power  to them by reacting to them. Instead think of this as an opportunity to educate them.

  I have coined a term Power Quotient which is your ability to scan your mental chatter and intentionally choose an empowering response to a disempowering stimulus. When you get a disempowering stimulus, pause and pick an empowering response.  This way, you will always own your power and chisel away at the negative stereotypes.

• Ask for a promotion into leadership roles.
  As a woman of color aspiring to leadership roles, you should know that your unique perspectives and experiences bring valuable insight to the decision-making table. The contemporary business landscape is increasingly acknowledging the need for diversity in leadership for sustained success. This recognition presents an opportune moment for you to push for a promotion into leadership roles.

  If you are wired to  wait for your boss to recognize your contributions and approach you for a promotion, you must realize that your boss has many people vying for the one promotional opportunity and if you don’t ask, you will most likely not receive.

  Set up a meeting with your boss to express your desire to get a leadership role.  During this meeting, share the highlights of the work you’ve done to become essential to the success of your organization. Demonstrate a balance of confidence and humility.

  Next, share that you’re ready to take on more responsibilities and you’d like to be considered for a leadership role. After this initial meeting, show up to work every day as if you are interviewing for your promotion until you get your promotion.

  If your boss doesn’t support you, you need to start thinking about taking your talents elsewhere but commit to yourself that you will not give up on your leadership potential, because when you become a leader not only will you realize your leadership potential, but you will also become part of the change that creates gender parity in leadership roles.

There is no better time than now for you to put focus on these three key areas to accelerate your growth. Let’s make 2024 the year to create workplace parity for women of color.

Written by Shelmina Babai Abji.

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