Podcast Summary
Being a black woman in the workplace: Unique challenges and feelings of hyper visibility: Self-care, networking, and advocacy are crucial for black women to thrive in the workplace despite potential obstacles of hyper visibility and devaluation.
Being a black woman in the workplace can mean facing unique challenges and feelings of being hyper visible yet devalued. Ayesha Rasco, a reporter and host at NPR, shares her experiences of being called unprofessional and having her intelligence questioned, despite the majority of her audience being supportive. Lauren Wesley Wilson, author of "What Do You Need?" and founder of ColorComm, a networking community for women of color, discusses the importance of understanding and addressing these challenges. Wilson shares her own experience of being a new hire and having her colleagues not really knowing the "real" her due to long commute hours and focusing on her job rather than building relationships. These experiences highlight the importance of self-care, networking, and advocating for oneself in the workplace to thrive despite the potential obstacles.
Understanding cultural fit goes beyond shared interests: Be open to new experiences, actively participate in company events, and evaluate if a company's culture is a good fit for you to build strong relationships and perform well in your job.
Fitting into a company culture can be essential for job success, but it may require stepping outside of one's comfort zone. The speaker shared her experience of feeling like an outsider at a previous job due to her race and not fully participating in company events and activities. She realized that these experiences hindered her ability to build strong relationships with her colleagues and ultimately impacted her job performance. The speaker emphasized that it's important to understand that cultural fit is not just about sharing the same interests or hobbies but about being able to connect with colleagues on a personal level. She encouraged being open to new experiences and actively participating in company events, even if they may seem unfamiliar or uncomfortable at first. Additionally, the speaker emphasized the importance of evaluating whether a company's culture is a good fit for you. If you choose to work in an environment that may be different from what you're used to, it's crucial to make an effort to engage and contribute to the company culture to build strong relationships and ultimately do better work together.
Navigating unique challenges as a woman of color in the workplace: Women of color face additional challenges in their careers, including statistical disparities and the need for strategic planning to advance. Staying composed and not letting emotions derail progress is crucial.
Growing pains are a natural part of any career, but for women of color, there can be additional challenges. Lauren Wilson shares her experience of facing both typical growing pains and unique challenges as a black woman in the workplace. Early in her career, she experienced the standard difficulties of being a young professional without much experience. However, she also encountered specific challenges related to her identity, such as the need to have a strategic plan to advance due to statistical disparities. Later in her career, Wilson faced a significant setback when a white coworker accused her of stealing his spot on PRWeek's 40 under 40 list. Despite the challenges, Wilson emphasizes the importance of staying composed and not letting emotions derail her progress.
Navigating Unique Challenges as the First or Only Person of Color: Believe in yourself, assess opportunities carefully, and maintain a strong support network to overcome challenges as the first or only person of color in a field or industry.
Being the first or only person of color in a field or industry comes with unique challenges and immense pressure. It can be a heavy burden to carry, as there may not be clear role models or a well-defined path to success. However, it's crucial to believe in oneself and one's worth, despite potential detractors or obstacles. Confidence and self-assurance are key to standing tall in the face of adversity. Additionally, it's essential to carefully consider opportunities, ensuring they align with personal goals and provide adequate resources for growth. The risk of failure is greater for women of color, so it's vital to assess the level of commitment and support from potential employers before taking on new roles. Overall, the journey may be challenging, but staying true to oneself and maintaining a strong support network can lead to success.
Maintaining Control and Personal Boundaries for Career Success and Preventing Burnout: Building a strong professional network and setting personal boundaries are essential for career success and preventing burnout. Understand the signs of burnout, communicate effectively with employers, and prioritize workload to maintain mental and emotional well-being.
It's essential to build a strong professional network and maintain personal boundaries to ensure job security and prevent burnout. The fear of making mistakes and carrying the weight of race and gender can be overwhelming, leading to stress and potential burnout. To avoid this, individuals should aim to be in control of their careers and have a safety net in place, such as industry connections and a solid network. It's crucial to understand the signs of burnout and enforce personal boundaries, prioritizing workload and communicating effectively with employers. While it can be intimidating to set boundaries, it's necessary for maintaining mental and emotional well-being in the workplace. Remember, it's better to communicate openly with your employer about your limitations than to risk burnout and potential job loss.
Recognize when it's time to leave a job: Learn to say no when overloaded, but consider staying if learning and growing. If not, assess the workplace for opportunities and address racism or microaggressions. Define your worth and focus on self-improvement.
It's essential to recognize when you have too much on your plate and learn to say no. However, deciding when to leave a job is a complex issue. It's worth sticking it out if you're learning and growing, but if you're no longer seeing opportunities for advancement, it may be time to move on. Racism and microaggressions exist in many workplaces, but what matters is the intention to improve. Don't let others define your worth or limit your potential. Keep asking yourself if the environment is one where you can grow and learn. The search for a perfect workplace may be futile, but staying focused on self-improvement and growth can help you navigate the challenges and find success.
Prioritize self-care and build communities: Individuals, especially women of color, should prioritize their needs, ask for support, and build communities to thrive in imperfect workplaces
Individuals, especially women of color, need to prioritize their own needs and well-being in the workplace. Institutions may not always provide the perfect environment for growth and celebration, so it's crucial to build communities and support networks to give and receive from one another. As Lauren Wesley Wilson, founder of ColorCom, emphasizes, asking simple questions like "what do you need?" can lead to meaningful conversations and the formation of strong communities. Remember, it's essential to look out for yourself while also being kind to others. This approach will help individuals thrive in imperfect workplaces.
