Shelleye | Shelly Archambeau

In the current business landscape, organizations have a unique opportunity to foster women of color leaders through purposeful leadership. While women of color contribute significantly to diversity, equity, inclusion, and employee well-being, their representation in top leadership positions remains limited. This article emphasizes the importance of recognizing the skills needed for leadership and offers ten strategies for employers to empower women of color in their careers. From providing training and development to prioritizing diversity and inclusion, these actions aim to bridge the leadership gap and create more equitable workplaces.

Challenging Norms: A Global Analysis of Gender at Work | Coqual

"Challenging Norms" is a comprehensive global study examining gender inequity in the workplace across eight diverse markets. It sheds light on the persistent challenges faced by employees worldwide and explores how gender intersects with various identity characteristics, including race, class, caste, and sexuality. The report highlights the unique struggles of transgender and gender-diverse professionals, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to achieve true gender equity.

Imposter Syndrome Is A Scheme: Reshma Saujani’s Smith College Commencement Address | The Smith College

Reshma Saujani, the keynote speaker at Smith College's 2023 Commencement, delivers a powerful address challenging the concept of imposter syndrome. She asserts that imposter syndrome isn't a syndrome at all; it's a scheme perpetuated by systemic barriers. Saujani, a gender equality activist and founder of Girls Who Code, advocates for addressing the political, financial, and cultural barriers that hinder women's progress, rather than relying solely on self-improvement tactics.

Gallup | Kate Den Houter and Ellyn Maese

Talent development in organizations is a collective effort, and mentorship and sponsorship play crucial roles in cultivating employees' potential. This article explores the significance of mentorship and sponsorship in improving representation for women and racial/ethnic minority groups in management positions. It emphasizes the positive impact of formalized mentoring and sponsoring relationships on employees' development, engagement, and perceptions of equity.

Fortune Well | L'oreal Thompson Payton

Loneliness at work is a growing concern, especially among women, with 53% of women in the workplace reporting feelings of loneliness, according to a recent survey by TheLi.st. This loneliness becomes more pronounced as women climb the corporate ladder, impacting their mental and physical health. Senior-level women often feel unsupported and burnt out, leading some to resign from leadership positions. Loneliness is not just a workplace issue; it's linked to various health problems. The study also highlights how loneliness affects women of color disproportionately. This article discusses the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to combat workplace loneliness.

Forbes | Marita Decker

Confidence erosion, Women in the workplace, Career advancement, Gender bias, Workplace equality, Diversity and inclusion, Career aspirations, Workplace challenges, Women empowerment, Corporate environment, Gender equality initiatives, Leadership support, Career disengagement, Inclusive work culture.

Harvard Business Review | Ruchika Tulshyan

Colorism, a deeply ingrained bias, adversely affects the lives and careers of darker-skinned women globally, perpetuating the legacy of colonialism and white dominance. This article sheds light on the importance of inclusive leadership in addressing colorism in the workplace, offering three strategies to disrupt this insidious bias. Leaders must recognize how colorism can manifest within diverse teams, including among individuals of the same community but with varying skin tones, to foster greater inclusion.

Fast Company | Porter Braswell

Imposter syndrome is a pervasive issue affecting individuals in workplaces and educational institutions, but attributing it solely to individual shortcomings obscures the role of unconscious bias, systemic racism, and discrimination in perpetuating this phenomenon. This article explores the cultural and collective factors behind imposter syndrome, highlighting the experiences of women and people of color. It underscores the need to create inclusive environments that value diverse leadership and achievement styles, ultimately dismantling the biases that fuel imposter syndrome.

Tricia Montalvo Timm

"Embrace the Power of You: Owning Your Identity at Work" by Tricia Montalvo Timm is an empowering resource that invites you to embark on a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance, both personally and professionally. This book offers valuable insights, practical exercises, and real-life stories from top executives and business leaders to guide you in embracing your true identity, fostering self-confidence, and finding success while being authentically yourself.

Embrace Change | Cynthia Pong

In celebration of Women's History Month, it's essential to cease expecting women of color in the workplace to carry the burden of emotional labor, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) education, and unacknowledged administrative tasks. This article calls for recognition of the systemic barriers women of color face and outlines seven actions organizations can take to genuinely support women of color, including valuing emotional labor, creating a collaborative workplace culture, ensuring DEI work is not siloed, and investing in career development for women of color. It also emphasizes the importance of acknowledging one's own fragility and being open to feedback and growth.

Harvard Business Review | Rosalind Chow

Female leaders and leaders from marginalized racial groups often face a no-win situation in the workplace. They're criticized for being either too analytical and unemotional or too emotional. This article delves into the Goldilocks dilemma that these leaders confront and emphasizes the importance of sponsorship from powerful allies, particularly white men, who can defend them against unfair criticisms.

Survey: Women & BIPOC Confidence in the Workplace | Deputy Team

In today's diverse workplace, many women and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) employees face unique challenges when it comes to confidence and feeling valued in their jobs. Recent survey data conducted by the Deputy Team sheds light on the experiences of these individuals. Despite representation, a significant portion of women and BIPOC employees do not feel entirely comfortable or confident in their workplace environments. This report explores their thoughts and emotions concerning equality, discrimination, and representation in the workplace.

Dr. Nika White

"Inclusion Uncomplicated: A Transformative Guide To Simplify DEI" by Dr. Nika White is a timely resource that provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Dr. Nika White draws upon her two decades of experience in helping organizations worldwide create inclusive and equitable cultures.

Strangers at Home: The Asian and Asian American Professional Experience | Coqual

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified anti-Asian violence in the U.S., significantly impacting Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander (A/AA/PI) professionals. Coqual's comprehensive report, "Strangers at Home: The Asian and Asian American Professional Experience," delves into the profound physical and psychological effects of racial violence and racism in the workplace. It uncovers common microaggressions against A/AA employees and highlights the detrimental consequences of stereotyping on career progression. Additionally, the report explores the unique experiences of Pacific Islander employees. Coqual's Audit, Awaken, Act framework offers employers transformative solutions to foster meaningful change and support the advancement of A/AA/PI professionals.

Elizabeth Leiba

"I'm Not Yelling" by Elizabeth Leiba is a valuable resource for Black businesswomen navigating predominantly white corporate America. This book combines strategic insights with empowering messages, offering statistical evidence and anecdotes that shed light on the challenges Black women face in the workplace. It explores issues like workplace discrimination, microaggressions, lack of mentorship, and pay inequity, providing strategies and recommendations for racial trauma healing and business success.

Harvard Business Review | Hira Ali

Women of color often grapple with unique challenges in the workplace, including stereotypes, biases, isolation, and stress. This article explores the concept of "stereotype threat" and how it affects women of color. It provides three effective strategies to help women of color navigate workplace biases, overcome obstacles, and thrive in their careers.

Thenmozhi Soundararajan

Despite its ban more than 70 years ago, caste is thriving. In this book, Dalit American activist Thenmozhi Soundararajan examines caste from a feminist, abolitionist, and Dalit Buddhist perspective and calls for urgent action for equity across countries and workplaces.

5 Harmful Ways Women Feel They Must Adapt in Corporate America | Deepa Purushothaman, Lisen Stromberg, and Lisa Kaplowitz

Gain insights into the difficulties experienced by accomplished women in the corporate world as they strive to balance the expectations of flawlessness, conformity, self-denial, independence, and complete fulfillment. Discover the counterproductive adaptations that women may resort to, and understand why it is crucial for executives to tackle these matters in order to foster a workplace that welcomes diversity.

Forbes | Dana Brownlee

A McKinsey and LeanIn.org study reveals that Black women leaders are more ambitious but receive less support at work, facing challenges such as colleagues questioning their competence and being denied opportunities due to personal characteristics like race and gender. The study highlights the urgent need to address systemic disparities and inequities faced by Black women in corporate America.

Women in the Workplace 2022 | Lean In and McKinsey & Company

The Women in the Workplace report, sponsored by LeanIn.Org and McKinsey & Company, stands as the most extensive study of women in corporate America. In its 2022 edition, the findings reveal a concerning trend – women leaders are departing their roles at an unprecedented rate, leading to the widest gender gap in exits ever witnessed. This annual report, initiated in 2015, serves as a critical resource to propel companies towards gender diversity and the advancement of women in the workplace.