I recently had the opportunity to serve on a panel for the 2015 National Diversity Women’s Business Leadership conference in Orlando. While there I had the opportunity to listen to several wonderful presentations, and was invigorated and inspired by so many smart, amazing, and motivated women gathering in one place. My panel, entitled “So You Think You’re Ready for a Board Seat,” focused on how to use board service to advance your career.
But diversity truly was the overriding theme of everything at the conference. This was refreshing given that the New York Times recently wrote that the word “diversity” has become both euphemism and cliché. Too often it’s a convenient shorthand that gestures at inclusivity and representation without actually taking them seriously. Business literature is full of the importance of authenticity and transparency as key requirements for leadership. Yet for many people of color and for women especially, being authentic and transparent can be challenging, even threatening. The women involved in the conference definitely took inclusion seriously, and had some great words of wisdom for everyone.
Seeking Leadership Positions
There are some startling distinctions between black women and white women in their appetite—and readiness—for executive roles. Ripa Rashid, Senior Vice President with Hewlett Consulting and Partner & Senior Vice President for the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI) reports that data shows only 26% of all women in the U.S. report that they would accept an executive leadership position if offered tomorrow. Research consistently illustrates that women view the burdens of a powerful position outweighing the benefits. Yet, two of CTI’s latest reports, “Women Want Five Things” and “Black Women Ready to Lead,” find that with power, women are more likely to get the things they say they want out of their careers: –to be able to flourish, reach for meaning and purpose, excel, empower others and be empowered. Studies show that black women are more likely than their white female counterparts to pursue a powerful position and to have greater clarity about how the benefits of leadership outweigh the burdens. That’s something every woman can all rally around and definitely learn from.
Cultural Competence is Key
Cultural competence has become the most significant emerging competency for leaders in the culturally diverse workplace and marketplace. One way we can support diversity for all women is to create a space for them to be their authentic selves in the workplace. Christie Smith, Managing Director of Deloitte Consulting, pointed out how most Fortune 500 companies have a diversity and inclusion officer who superintends an impressive array of programs focused on the needs of a diverse workforce, yet reports suggest that full inclusion remains elusive.
The ideal of inclusion has long been to allow individuals to bring their authentic selves to work. However, most inclusion efforts don’t address the pressure to conform that prevents individuals from realizing that ideal. Smith hypothesizes that a model of inclusion analyzing that pressure might benefit historically underrepresented groups. Given that everyone has an authentic self, a culture of greater authenticity might benefit all individuals, including the straight white men who have traditionally been left out of the inclusion paradigm.
The Power of Connectional Intelligence
Erica Dhawan, Founder & CEO of Cotential, addressed diversity and spoke on the power of connectional intelligence. As game-changing a concept as emotional intelligence was in the 90s, connectional intelligence is the human ability to combine knowledge, ambition, and people that is amplified hugely by new technologies. In our hyper connected world, it is changing the future of diversity and inclusion efforts in corporate America by quickly, efficiently and creatively helping people enlist supporters, drive innovation, develop strategies and implement diverse solutions to big problems.
Stay Open To Diversity
George A. Kalogridis, President of Walt Disney World Resort Lake Buena Vista is a vocal champion of diversity and says, “The Walt Disney Company thrives on creativity, great storytelling and exceptional imagination. When you’re looking for people who possess those strengths, you absolutely have to keep open every door and every window. Otherwise, you run the risk of missing out on the individual who can take us to the next level.”
Leading Women Making a Difference
What an inspiring group of powerful women! I left the National Diversity Women’s Business Leadership conference armed with a new perspective and more determined than ever to help women rise into the leadership positions they deserve. The world needs us! And in order to get out there and truly make a difference, we must cherish our differences and support all Leading Women, as we work together and change the world for the better!