“According to the Women in The Workplace 2018 survey, women of color are not only significantly underrepresented, they are far less likely than others to be promoted to manager, more likely to face everyday discrimination and less likely to receive support from their managers.”
Being the only person of color in the workplace is a taxing job within itself. However, it’s not the end and it’s nothing new. You have the opportunity to do something unique if your environment allows for it. You were invited to the table for a reason so show up! Here are some tips to help ease your mind:
Be Authentic
Don't focus so much on trying not to be a stereotype. People will come with their own inherent biases but you shouldn't allow this to overshadow why you're there. You were hired because you're qualified. Being "twice as good" doesn’t mean that who you are isn't good enough.
Create a Support System
Get an advocate or mentor in the workplace. Advancing in a corporate environment without one is almost impossible. Some managers simply don't know how to support their team, especially if they have some form of unconscious bias. If your manager isn't giving you the support you need, talk to someone else.
Don't Suffer In Silence
If you're feeling like you're not being heard or being passed over, speak up. Although speaking up may not always yield the best results, it does help others see that you are serious about your work and demand to be respected. My favorite quote regarding this topic comes from Robert California, a character in the TV show, The Office:
"The fallacy is thinking that it's up to the steamroller. It's up to the object whether or not it gets flattened."
Leave
Go where you are celebrated and not tolerated. Finding a workplace that honors actual inclusion along with diversity is not impossible. Staying in a hostile environment where you aren't learning or growing only does that company a favor. In the long run, you'll regret wasting time in an environment like that.
You may feel out of place but you are not out of purpose. Take a breath, develop a plan that works for you and move intentionally. This land was made for us and them, remember?
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