Toward A Racially Just Workplace with Laura Morgan Roberts
These are extraordinary times. In addition to the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are once again experiencing the pain and conflict arising from the killing of an unarmed black man at the hands of a white police officer. The country is yet again being forced to face its painful history of systemic racial prejudice towards people of color, and people everywhere are rightfully demanding meaningful change. The issue of racism goes beyond the killing of George Floyd, however. It is a “we” problem, and it's going to take all of us to speak up, speak out, and be a voice for change. As business leaders, we have to confront the injustices that we see at work and put the spotlight on what's happening inside our corporate walls. This week’s show is a replay of an episode in which Laura Morgan Roberts addresses the issue of racism in corporate America, and offers powerful solutions for all of us. Professor Laura Morgan Roberts is an expert in diversity, inclusion, authenticity and identity development. She chats with Marcel Schwantes about her recent article, Toward a Racially Just Workplace, and tackles what is seemingly the most uncomfortable conversation in the work environment.After President Obama was elected, a popular consensus was that American society had moved beyond racism in the workplace. [4:37]Research shows that only 8% of managers and 3.8% of CEO’s are of African American descent, which is concerning as it does not reflect the global population. [7:29]Marcel asks Laura why she thinks there is such a small percentage of black leaders. “What has been persistent over time is a practice of sort of betting on familiarity… giving those new opportunities… to people who remind us of our younger selves. And so when the people who are in the leadership positions are the ones we're doling out those opportunities to… they're also more likely to be alarmed… when someone who doesn’t share aspects of their experience messes up… You’re not given the same freedom to fail when you’re a person who exists on the margins,” she explains. [10:08]Two key dynamics that pose challenges for black leaders in the workplace are authenticity and authority. [12:38]Many black leaders have stories in which people in mentorship roles have tried to steer them in completely different paths, “with very little knowledge or data of what they were truly capable of,” Laura adds. [16:51]Laura admonishes leaders to “get real”: external occurrences affect organizations internally. “There's no… concrete wall that sort of segments the organization and protects it from whatever is happening in society around inequality and exclusion and oppression.” [20:30]Oftentimes conversations about diversity and inclusion initiatives turn into ego defensive arguments, which inhibits exploration of avenues for productive coexistence. [26:19]“If you want to understand how to be more inclusive, you can’t just sit around and talk to the people who already feel included,” Laura says. Leaders should take themselves back to experiences where they felt excluded and ask themselves what others could have done to make them feel included. [37:27]The “secret sauce” in truly promoting greater racial diversity, inclusion and equity is the heart. [41:15]Laura offers advice for the African American professional wanting to grow as a leader. [43:27]Marcel asks Laura why she thinks fear is so prevalent in the workplace. She replies, “We structure our organizations in ways that trigger people's feelings of scarcity… and when people are operating in that dimension of scarcity they’re triggered… they're really afraid because they're feeling incredibly vulnerable.” [46:40]Laura wants race to no longer be associated with fear, problems and challenges, and would much rather it be embraced. [50:26]ResourcesToward a Racially Just WorkplaceAdvancing Black LeadersLaura Morgan Roberts on LinkedIn | TwitterLauraMorganRoberts.com