by | Nov 26, 2013 | Career
Recently, I read an article in which Oprah was stating that as a powerful Black woman who very often sits at some of the most prestigious companies’ boards, she realizes that many think that she should not be sitting there. Now is it because of sexism, racism or frankly, an unhealthy mix of both? Hmmm…
It’s the same dilemma that many Black professional women, perfectly competent, top-notch educated women, face daily in the workplace. Being a Black woman in a professional world where power still belongs in its majority to wealthy males not only makes African and African-American women a double minority, but also translates into just about the same statistics as the most endangered species in the world. In her bestseller “Lean In“, COO Facebook and women’s advocate Sheryl Sandberg recognizes that as much as the statistics for all professional women are still alarmingly low, the statistics for Black professional women are even more alarming. And that certainly does not come as a surprise…
So how do racially diverse, Black professional women, make it in a professional world where, frankly, there are not many of them, and where many times, there is a sense that they shouldn’t be there in the first place? Should this phenomenon be put on account of sexism, racism, or both? And how does one face an upward battle on both fronts, without giving up altogether? Without facing the reproaching excuse of “playing the gender or the race card”? From speaking with many African, African-American and racially diverse women colleagues in the workplace, the echo of the conversation is very often the same resounding arguments, those that have not changed much from decades ago, those that are not exactly discussed in the media or out in public because it may not be politically correct.. It’s about the wave in one’s step as one enters the interview room fully conscious that the odds may be already stacked against one’s appearance. It’s the knot in one’s throat as one is deemed less competent from the onset because of one’s appearance. It’s the fear that one’s sacrifices to climb the career ladder, despite being late to pick up the kids, despite putting in extra hours or being as professional as can be, the road to career advancement may still be steeper than for others…
Well, the answer may just be that there is no answer. The answer may just be, as Sheryl Sandberg puts it, to “sit at the table” and “lean in”, even if more often than not we may have to keep our hands up longer than necessary to be heard…Or to acknowledge with honesty and strength, even as one of the most successful and powerful woman in the world, like Oprah, that we are still not accepted at the “boardroom” table…But the one constant is that we should sit anyways, recognizing that sexism and racism may very well never disappear, but insisting by our very presence that neither defines us…
The Corporate Sister.
by | Nov 23, 2013 | Career
It’s the week-end, you have a ton of things to do, items to mark off your to-do list, maybe a family to feed, a Thanksgiving meal to plan, and you still can’t get a hold of your hairdresser (or her calendar for that matter)…In the midst of all the to-dos, to-be-done’s, should-have-been-done, did-I-forget-to-do-that, where in the world did you stash your work phone? And why should you even be concerned? it’s the week-end, after all…
We talked about working on week-ends, and whether that could advance your career. And if I’m not a fan of dedicating my week-ends to work, as many corporate sisters, I believe in the power of multi-tasking, and as part of that, my Blackberry is my best ally. In the era of always being connected, and while some of you may not agree, I think if I have to be connected, well, I might as well use it to my advantage. Whether it’s answering quick emails, providing quick status updates, or updating your calendar on-the-go, there are small ways in which you can still work while not really working…
So sometimes instead of repeatedly checking my Facebook account, while I’m in line at the supermarket or running some mindless errand ( please note that does not include operating any motor vehicle), I can quickly check in to my email, update my professional to-do list, and shoot my boss a quick reply email kindly letting him know that while I may not finish his project by Monday, it’s on my priority list to tackle first thing Monday morning…and wish him a great week-end (hint, hint….)
If we’re going to be multi-tasking anyways (and checking our Facebook and Twitter accounts), why not make mini-investments in our career in the process?
Do you favor multi-tasking on week-ends, or is that Blackberry stashed away in your purse?
The Corporate Sister.
by | Nov 20, 2013 | Career
One of the dilemmas that many of us corporate sisters struggle with in the corporate jungle, is whether to fit in, make no waves, stay safe, or to stand out in all we are and all we possess of uniqueness. From our dress to our hair to the way we speak, there is no denying that more often we stand at the crossroads between conformity and originality.
I mean, let’s be real, we look different than what is considered to be the norm. We pull from a richness of cultural sources and influences that, whether we like it or not, are reflected in who we are and how we carry ourselves. And THAT, all of it is beautiful because it’s part of the fabric of our identities…And here we are, a double minority in the somewhat traditional mold of Corporate America, faced with an apparently narrow path to success on one hand, and our own larger-than-life uniqueness as a people and as individuals. And as we make our way through our respective professional careers, what with society’s limited exposure to and constrained view of Black women in the corporate world, we can’t help but wonder: “Should we fit in or stand out?”
It’s not a hypocritical question, neither is it an admission of guilt. Certainly, we are who we are; yet certainly, we need jobs, and paychecks, and a way to make it. And in order to reconcile the two, we need to face the tough questions…
For many years, I tried too hard to fit in, to the point of stifling my own personality. My hair was pressed too straight, my suits too dark and conservative…And no, for as long as I was able to sustain it without blowing up on the inside, that did not work out…Not for myself, and not for anyone around me. People can sense your lack of authenticity, even before you can realize it yourself.
By the time I realized that I was no longer myself, I also realized that there is no perfect answer to the question. That in one hand, there is a need to conform to some extent to a certain organizational image that we chose to subscribe to, whether deliberately or not…And on the other hand, our authentic selves are our best assets and should not under any circumstance be stifled. So nowadays, you can find me rocking my natural curls in the meeting room, while sporting classic outfits with my own brand of funky touch…
So, when it comes to fitting in or standing out for sisters in the corporate world, there is no right or wrong answer…As in real life, compromising without losing our authentic voice is key. Now how we each go about it is our choice…
Do you fit in or stand out…
