With Vice President Kamala Harris, entering the White House, some may assume that racism and sexism in the workplace is no longer a thing for Black women; but in corporate America, it is alive and well, unfortunately.
Black women consistently bring a unique perspective and high-quality of work to their positions, but we continue to be overlooked in corporate. While observing interpersonal dynamics over the last 16 years in corporate, I’ve watched countless Black women balance not being “too emotional,” silencing imposter syndrome, and trying to be effective in their position. We’re able to do our job very well, but it can be tough navigating when to manage up and when to advocate for yourself. Some of us get caught up in these common pitfalls. Here are some career pitfalls Black women should avoid in order to have the corporate career you desire.
Being consumed with busy work — When you’re in entry and mid-level positions, you can expect a heavy amount of administrative tasks. That’s normal for those positions, and your manager oversees the work to completion. However, these administrative tasks can also feel like “busy work.” Since your manager’s job is managing workflow, when they assign you a task, it’s to help them complete their individual or team mandate. The work may not teach you a new helpful skill, impact the overall goals of the company, or give you the opportunity to flex to upper management.
Disconnected from stakeholders — When you’re stuck in the weeds of busy work, you don’t have the opportunity to connect with stakeholders working on more strategic projects. Working and networking with stakeholders is a huge opportunity for you. While it may be a bit scary to step out of your circle of friends at work, establishing relationships with your higher-ups is a huge benefit for you. Having a relationship with influential stakeholders, helps you learn about professional opportunities on the horizon at the company and gives you an opportunity to have your work recognized by VIP’s at work.
You’re not managing up effectively – Managing up simply means how you communicate with people above you with the organization’s structure. An example of managing up is setting a boundary with your manager. While we’re in quarantine, some managers assume you will work around the clock. Effectively managing up could be you saying, “Hey manager, I am available 9-5, but on the weekends, please only text for emergencies.” When you’re less comfortable and confident about managing up, your needs and desires may suffer.
I teach my clients how to think differently about their career advancement. Instead of expecting your employer to articulate a career path, I help women approach their career like an informed businesswoman. For us to make a positive impact in corporate, and secure more income, we have to leverage our unique strengths. You must get clear on your unique value-add and focus your time and energy on making yourself indispensable at work.
To identify your unique value-add, start with making a list of your best skills and strongest competencies. Then, you want to learn more about the business strategy of your company. How do they make money? What is their value proposition? Most importantly, where and how does your work affect revenue generation?
As a HR director, I add value to an organization by ensuring we recruit well and retain top-tier talent. The cost of turnover is high for any organization, and as a good people leader, I can mitigate turnover.
Once you’re clear on your value-add, you can leverage it to initiate conversations and cultivate relationships with influential stakeholders in your organization. Being clear on your value-add also makes it easier for you to manage up because you know how your time is best spent. As the chief businesswoman in your career, you learn how to use your time to make your career more profitable and successful.
What’s your value-add? What other career pitfalls do you believe Black women should avoid in order to succeed in corporate America? Let me know in the comments!
Author:
Courtney Ball is an author, speaker, leadership coach and HR Director who specializes in helping individuals transform their experience into influence, impact and income. For over a decade, she has provided advice and strategy to employees about how to define their career trajectory and execute a path to achieve their professional goals. With endless joy in seeing individuals succeed in life, Courtney also encourages her clients and staff to strike a balance between career pursuits and personal life. Courtney enjoys learning, cooking delicious meals and binge watching Bravo.
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