Hey guys, so I'm in a situation that looks really good from the outside but that I don't know how to navigate (executive coaching, therapy or my family haven't been able to help me figure it out so here goes).
F, mid 30s, Accenture SM in consulting engineering. I've always done my best to avoid being a poster child for the company's inclusion & diversity program but my leadership has let me know that I've been selected for a program that will celebrate female success in STEM.
Cont...

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Changing your lens, is the start.

You are a symbolism of the company’s commitment to diversity, whether it is from the single act of the hiring manager, or a collective strategy by the C-Suite. Had these decisions not been made, companies, the leaders, have no reason to willingly share a piece of the pie.

To a young person fresh out of college, your story, gives them hope.

To a seasoned worker, your story, is the reason, the company DEI strategy, will feel real to them.

You are a rockstar, a symbol of hope & progress.

To deny this is self-serving, Clarence Thomasesque.

likesmartuplifting

Well said, C2. I was struggling to understand what the problem was.

The burden of being an example for others is the price you pay for being good. Get used to it. Embrace it. Representation is important.

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I think one of the things we struggle with as a collective is how to gain power and influence in our companies/careers. Does this program give you access to connections that have power and influence that u can use in your network to better your position? When you gain influence either from the program or from the network you build while in the program, can you guide other blk ppl in their careers? Maybe thats the angle to look at it through.

likehelpful

Quick update. 1st off, thank you all for taking the time to reply. I'm going forward with the program and hopefully it'll give me enough resources and perspective to lead and help minorities in alignment with my values and what I'm comfortable with. One step at a time...

likesmart

Woo hoo!

I’m not sure how to deal with the poster child question, but I wonder if you’re not in an excellent position to teach your new white mentor what it means to be black in these environments? I’ve had to flip these types of situations around before - you end up mentoring the white person to some extent. There are still things they can teach you, but it makes the relationship a two way street and likely more beneficial for both of you.

likesmart

Thank you for this feedback. Appreciate it

Hello 0P, thanks for sharing your honest feelings on this.

I have a question for you: what is it about representing diversity that bothers you? please be explicit

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1. I understand
2. Role models are a positive force but there can be “perfection pressure”. I get it.
3. First - Your presence is already “loud”. Second - The “loud” voices of others opened doors for you. Perhaps you can pay it forward because you cannot pay them back.
4. Lots of Black women are quiet and /or have a statuesque physique. It doesn’t make anything easy. Most people know this. Could
Make it harder!
5. You’re a Black woman in corporate. Those comments are occurring already.

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I don't want my feminity and blackness to be the focus. But I can't exactly say no this time again. If one of you has been in this situation and can relate, how did you do it? My mindset in life and at work has always been to see and present myself as a person 1st, black woman second, and it feels like that won't be compatible with the program... Also, I'm supposed to have a mentor, who'll probably be white, and they usually don't understand what it means to be black in these environments...

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"This above all, to thine own self be true."

The implied pressure to act as a token or a model, whether it comes from black or non-black peers, is in itself an obligation imposed on you for the color of your skin. The entire point is to move away from a place where the color of one's skin decides what lanes a person must take and to where.

In the same vein that it is kosher for a country to ask its citizens to serve but not to press them into service, guilting you into paying a fee is distasteful.

I would be firm and insist on being treated as an individual, not a representative of a collective. You are not an insect but a human being.

PS. You could always ask, "Why, did you hire me for the color of my skin?" if you want to see Olympic rower-quality backpedalling.

likesmartfunny

OP
First of all, nobody makes it in this field without being competent, black, white, yellow, green, brown or purple. Simple as that, you’re definitely doing something right that makes your leadership want to showcase you, as said by others here, representation is important, when I first came into Consulting (at Accenture no less), I don’t remember seeing any black leaders across the leadership pyramid (L7, L6, L4).. okay maybe 1… It affected my thinking (of the realistic %chance of actually making MD) for a very long time, simply because I didn’t see enough “examples” of people who look like me already in those places.

The number of people you inspire, just by being in your position, and also by continuing to rise, you have no idea, this includes many people who you directly may never interact with, they need you, WE need you. Of course we know that none of us is perfect, stay with that premise, exhibit your vulnerabilities, heck, I do that a lot as well.. It makes your upward and downward relationships and interactions all the more genuine.

Also, totally get the “not having the full Black American who grew up in America” experience, I too am the same way, born in Africa, grew up in Europe until about 17, then have been here half of my life. For me, it’s counterproductive to try to distinguish between black people (not saying you’re doing it, but I’ve seen people who do, some of “our” people). We may not be a monolith, but our unity is VERY IMPORTANT.. Economically and otherwise (different topic)

I’m wishing you the very best, you’ve got this.

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I’m not, I joined PwC earlier this year.

Being a women in stems and being recognized 🤩congrats!!! take it and embrace it. This will inspire others that your gender or skin colour doesn’t have to define who you are ☺️

Have you read the conversation?

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