Recap: How to Make Major Moves as a Minority at Work
PayPal’s beautiful New York City headquarters was a great environment to discuss diversity and inclusion. Before the panel kicked off, attendees enjoyed food by Lolo’s Seafood Shack and cocktails sponsored by Ciroc Premium Vodka mixed by Red Carpet Bartending.
There’s a lot of things we aren’t prepared for when we enter Corporate America and that’s dealing with the nuances that come with being a minority in the workplace. While most industries lack in diversity and inclusion, the tech industry was the focal point of May’s #L2LMixer where our panel of black women tech professionals representing Google, Linkedin, The New York Times and Twitter kept it real about some of the lemons they’ve faced in the workplace.
“My lemon was drowning in the gray. What they don’t tell you in tech is that you are expected to know what to do,” shared Suezette Robotham. It’s that feeling many of us get when we have the pressure of living up the role we acquired, but you are expected to know how to move without guidance or direction. When you are in environments like this, who do you lean on, how do you tackle imposter syndrome and how can you the people around you to advocate for you.
The recurring theme from our conversation involved understanding the power of sponsorship and building a tribe of support. Here are some essential takeaways from May’s #L2LMixer:
On building a tribe:
I found a tribe by not isolating myself but finding my support. Build a network to support you. – Suezette
Don’t feel like your tribe needs to be in tech or at your company. – Shaquana
On sponsorship:
Sponsorship and advocacy. For black women, your sponsor isn’t going to look like you. Find those sponsors who can see you. Be clear about your allies and who supports you. I call it my executive cabinet. – Suezette
On advocating for yourself:
Start talking about the work you are doing with the people you are around. – Charity
I’m the queen of the humble brag. If I don’t talk about myself, then you don’t know about me. – Shaquana
Airplanes use an opposing wind in order to fly. The more triumph you have, the more you can help others and inspire. – Charity
Be that person that the company wants as an ambassador. If people come to visit be the person they want. – Sabrina
On overcoming imposter syndrome:
I worked hard, so I belong here. Your job needs you. If you are in a seat at your company, you earned it and deserved it. – Sabrina
If you possess the proper skills for success, you can do whatever you want to do. – Charity
I’m one of my biggest fans. I go to the mirror and remind myself of who I am. – Shaquana
I’m very clear on what I’m not that I then emphasize on what I am and ensure that it brings value to the space that I’m in. – Suzette
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As the Old Kanye once said, “Everything I’m not…made me everything I am.” I know my value and what it brings and means for the space I’m in. A snippet from last nights #L2LMixer at the PayPal NYC Headquarters. 🎥 x Tricia Newell A post shared by suezette (@suezette) on
Despite the data, the stats and the facts that become obstacles for people of color who have goals to reach the C-suite, last week’s panel of women who were making the most with what they have and creating opportunities for themselves and others.