As a Black woman, have you ever had a Black female manager before? What was your experience?
And to those that are currently managers, what would you say your management style is like?

Yes and it was unfortunately the worst experience of my life. I went in really excited and left with PTSD. But I do not base this one experience on all black female managers.

Yes, it was amazing girl magic. She was really plugged in and provided great insight on the politics of our organization.

We also had a team of black professionals that we could lean on. It was the best job of my life. Even the parties were great because we had a voice and we were at the table with leaders.

To be clear she was my boss and then later promoted another block woman to be my boss when she got promoted to VP.

Good luck 🍀

Unfortunately, it was a terrible experience for me. I chalked it up to generational differences and her being too familiar with me. She treated me like I was her daughter (and not in a nurturing way) rather than a colleague — including waving her finger at me, putting her hands in my face, and cutting me of mid-sentence by saying “aht aht aht aht aaaaht”. I kinda wanted to fight her. lol

Yes! It was wonderful! Prior to me having a black woman as my manager, I was recognized as being a top performer but I wasn’t compensated as such and they were also intimidated by me. When the sister became my manager she was like yeah, no, we are no longer keeping you in the shadows! She included me in important conversations for exposure, I was promoted under her and my compensation elevated….and it wasn’t because I did anything different than I had been doing…it was simply because I deserved it and the changing of the guards actioned on that!

Im having the same experience. Worst manager I’ve ever had. It’s a real shame.

Now that I think of it I’ve had like 6+ black women leaders and they all were great in their own way. Several black men too including my uncle that was my first boss.

I’ve had white women and they were great and awful too. For various reasons. I honestly can’t say it’s as race thing. It’s definitely a skill and opportunity thing.

Just realized how balanced my life is with black leaders.

I’ve been very blessed in my career to encounter such diversity. My current manager in consulting is a black man and he is amazing about the melanin.

Coaches me on navigating the politics.

Let’s not be bashing our brothers and sisters. They are human and we haven’t walked in their shoes. But also don’t let anyone treat you badly and call them out.

I did for my first role breaking into a new career. She was such a b!&$!. As i got more seasoned in said career i kind of understood (partially) where she was coming from. But, overall her personality was still trash. She was very condescending.

Yes ma’am. It was the worse experience. I learned a lot of great lessons. She micromanaged, gas lit, straight up lied, and often had mini panic attacks. I’ve been unemployed because I quit that job a few months ago. My prayer is that one day I have another black women manager who restores my faith.

I have. Not any different than any other manager, honestly.

One as a career counselor (so like people manager not project manager)
Uhh. She heard me crying on a phone call and never followed up/checked in. High key negligent, and I switched career counselors very shortly thereafter.

yes. My first black manager as good and had a nice experience. Unfortunately I cannot say the same for the last one I have. I was very disappointed. She was all talk and not action.

I have had a black female manager before, and she was kind of disappointing in that you could clearly see she was the weakest of the leaders that we had. For me, my management style is collaborative, but also hands off I trust that you will execute what you say you’re going to, but if I find that you don’t do that, then slowly, but surely I start taking over your stuff because I don’t want to make us all look bad and then I’ll spend some time getting you to a better state, but that won’t be immediate.

I am a black female manager. What is never spoken on is how some not all black women treat me. I recently had a subordinate that was on a PIP when I started. I advocated for her and helped to get her on of it. I found a task she could lead and she then started to think we were equals. I would task her and she would reply “you do it”. She lied about many things in a attempt to destroy me.

After years of dealing with “Karen’s” I am just so disappointed with black people in general.

Just the other side of the coin

Yes and it was one of the most monumental experiences of my life. I wasn't micromanaged, she encouraged me to navigate corporate politics, she always defended and she taught me how to be more strategic in my role. Unfortunately the higher ups didn't love her so while she was on MAT leave they pushed her off our account. She's still with the company and I still reach out for advice.

IBM 1- I am new to IBM. Can you please inbox me. I would like to get your perspective