The Way Up

“Your presence, your voice, and your growth are already a powerful statement against racism.”

1. Define Your Own Story and Purpose

Often, the stories about people of color are written by those in power, leading to feelings of limitation or inadequacy. Breaking free involves exploring your history and identifying personal and cultural role models who inspire resilience and ambition.

Knowing your history can be transformative. For instance, the story of Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, the Haitian-born inspiration for The Three Musketeers, shows how individuals can defy the odds and achieve extraordinary success. Finding role models like Dumas illustrates the possibilities for personal achievements that go beyond societal narratives.

Equally important is defining your "why." Economic challenges might push people of color to focus solely on financial stability, but true success requires a sense of purpose. Understanding your motivations helps you set meaningful objectives and remain oriented toward long-term growth, even when there are obstacles along the way.

Examples

• Thomas-Alexandre Dumas rose from slavery to lead a European army.
• Learning about great leaders from your community fosters belief in your potential.
• Aligning your career with your purpose ensures decisions serve both your goals and values.

2. Embrace Your Distinctions

The corporate environment might make people of color feel like outsiders, leading to self-doubt and imposter syndrome. However, the characteristics that distinguish you are the same traits that can drive your unique value and strength.

Your identity-defining moments offer lessons and insights that others may lack. For example, experiences of racism or other biases teach resilience and foster a deeper understanding of systemic barriers. Turning these into sources of power helps build leadership skills and reveal the blind spots of your peers.

Confront adversities by naming them. Accept the reality of these challenges, but don’t internalize them. Instead, use these struggles to develop wisdom and clarity while pursuing the leadership you deserve. Your differences are not limitations but assets.

Examples

• Overcoming racism shapes resilience and unique worldviews.
• Recognizing the unfairness of situations helps you move forward with strength.
• Perspectives gained from hardships allow you to offer creative solutions.

3. Build Authentic Networks and Mentorships

In professional life, networking and mentorship are essential tools for advancement. For people of color, building these connections is even more important due to systemic barriers that may limit access to opportunities.

Step out of your comfort zone to build diverse connections, targeting not just peers but key decision-makers in your field. Visibility across levels of leadership ensures your work and potential are recognized by those able to advance your career.

Seek out mentors who align with your goals, especially if they share your background and can understand your challenges. Strong mentors offer guidance and open doors for new opportunities. In turn, establish connections with colleagues across every level for a support system that multiplies opportunities.

Examples

• Approach colleagues in different departments to expand your network.
• Engage mentors who share your background for insight and advocacy.
• A strong network helps uncover unexpected career opportunities.

4. Confronting Workplace Bias and Racism

Bias signals itself as blatant discrimination or everyday microaggressions, both of which disrupt workplace equality. Addressing these challenges requires a blend of courage, strategy, and documentation.

Workplace power dynamics complicate direct responses, especially for more covert forms of racism. Speaking up when you feel safe can set boundaries or educate others, but knowing when to step away to process emotions is equally important.

To protect yourself, carefully document incidents and escalate serious cases through formal channels like HR or leadership. This creates a record of recurring patterns, which could support legal or organizational action if needed. Don’t neglect emotional health—seek mentorship, counseling, or other networks of support.

Examples

• Microaggressions could be addressed with clear, respectful boundaries.
• Time-stamped emails offer reliable documentation of incidents.
• Mentors and colleagues can provide emotional and legal support.

5. Navigate Career Transitions Thoughtfully

Career shifts happen either due to ambition or dissatisfaction. Assessing your purpose, skills, and goals ensures a thoughtful approach to transitions that align with your broader vision of success.

Tap into your network to identify positions that match your goals before applying. This avoids unnecessary risks while you’re still employed. Update your profile and prepare compelling stories that emphasize your leadership and impact to potential employers.

During interviews, evaluate company culture critically for red flags related to diversity and inclusion. Use your unique perspective to highlight solutions for prospective challenges, and don’t settle for less than what you’re worth—practice confident salary negotiations to secure fair compensation.

Examples

• Use your network to learn about opportunities without endangering current roles.
• Tailor your professional story to highlight leadership accomplishments.
• Negotiate salaries by starting 10-20% higher than initial offers.

6. Develop Executive Presence

Reaching top leadership as a person of color carries additional responsibility. Building executive presence—in communication, strategic thinking, and listening—helps establish authority and foster respect despite subconscious biases.

Code-switching can help navigate corporate expectations but must be used mindfully. Don’t suppress your identity to conform to dominant behaviors. Balance authenticity with adaptation to maintain your integrity and still meet workplace standards.

As leaders, professionals of color can break biases and reinvent organizational culture. Driving inclusivity through policies like diverse hiring pipelines or belonging surveys ensures the workplace benefits everyone and leverages all talents equally.

Examples

• Learn strategic thinking and hone messaging to inspire confidence.
• Bring authentic aspects of identity to leadership decisions.
• Expand recruitment programs for diverse talent pools.

7. Handle Workplace Racism as a Leader

From leadership positions, professionals of color can most effectively combat workplace racism by influencing organizational priorities and advocating for systemic changes.

Create new diversity-driven policies, ensuring they aren’t superficial gestures but meaningful actions like mentorship programs geared toward underrepresented groups. These initiatives help dismantle barriers while fostering inclusive work environments.

Also, consider stakeholder impact in decision-making. By leading ethically and compassionately, your decisions become aligned with both performance and equality objectives, proving that doing good is good for business.

Examples

• Implement policies that target systemic barriers in hiring practices.
• Integrate belonging and diversity metrics into company evaluations.
• Ethical leadership inspires trust and promotes sustainable growth.

8. Recognize Your Value in Job Markets

Always remember your worth when evaluating new job prospects. Sometimes professionals of color hesitate during negotiations or overlook culture red flags during interviews.

Focus on making thoughtful decisions that honor your values and contributions. Understanding your skills and their unique value ensures you gravitate toward workplaces that embrace inclusivity and your individual journey.

Be bold in asserting your expectations, knowing that your background and lived experiences enrich the organizations fortunate to have you. Your value is a driver of success, both for you and the company.

Examples

• Prepare personal stories illustrating your skills and achievements.
• Evaluate company inclusion practices during interviews.
• Confidently negotiate offers to match your market worth.

9. Use Your Position of Power to Lift Others

As a leader, you have the chance to redefine workplace culture. Use your power to remove barriers for others. Representing success as a person of color helps create visible role models for the next generation.

Invest in diversity programs that expand opportunities for underrepresented groups. Also, pair inclusivity initiatives with financial responsibility, demonstrating that ethical choices also drive success.

By fostering workplaces that honor multiple identities, you create spaces where everyone thrives, leaving a legacy built on purpose and progress.

Examples

• Sponsor leadership development for underrepresented employees.
• Initiate inclusivity surveys to adapt to employee needs.
• Redefine success as progress that uplifts everyone involved.

Takeaways

1. Document any injustices or microaggressions to establish patterns and protect yourself legally.
2. Build a diverse network of peers and mentors, emphasizing those who understand your journey and challenge you to grow.
3. Use leadership power to drive inclusivity, create better policies, and redefine what effective, compassionate management looks like.