A few resources and thoughts about women of color at work.
If working hard is wrong, I don't want to be right
When reflecting on her time in tech, former Reddit CEO Ellen Pao noted how she was raised to believe that hard work will yield career success—that the workplace was a meritocracy.
She attributed that idea partly to her Asian upbringing, and I think many women of color can relate. But also, like Ellen, we come to realize that meritocracy at work is an illusion.
Too often, we're passed over for the guy with connections or the very un-humble bragger. It feels like our hard work is in vain, leading many to swing the other way. Flaunt, flex, hustle, demand... act like we know when we really don't.
I believe there's a balance. Yes, we should advocate for ourselves, but hard work and expertise are the underpinnings of truly great careers—the kind that matter. Just because they're full of hot air doesn't mean we have to be.
How do you deal with this balancing act? Hard work: yea or nay?
Ellen Pao, the former Reddit CEO and venture capitalist, is urging companies to take another look at how inclusive their workplaces really are as communities grapple with a rise in anti-Asian hate.
BIPOC employees want equitable opportunities to advance their careers without the implicit pressures of assimilating, creating facades, selling out, or being tokenized. They mirror to navigate corporate America’s inequitable structures and inept leaders.
Most attempts at being an ally for racial equity fall short of meaningful change. What does it take to go from well-meaning to well-acting? It requires both intention and a framework for success.
The Athena Pro Platform delivers leadership development experiences exclusively designed for women of color. Learn more at athenapro.co and follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter.
