We must address the insurmountable challenges women of color face in the workplace despite continuing to push barriers and thrive in their careers.
So, let us talk about it.
Women of color continue to face many workplace challenges, including implicit bias, microaggressions, lack of mentorship, and the feeling of exclusion from the professional world.
Although these challenges exist, many women of color continue to rise above these challenges and become highly successful in many industries.
What are the Challenges Women of Color Face in the Workplace?
According to a report by McKinsey & Company, women of color are significantly underrepresented in the corporate pipeline, especially at senior levels. With microaggressions and a lack of representation in leadership roles, women of color’s perseverance and resilience have become the foundation for meaningful change in the workplace.
1) Microaggressions and Bias
What is microaggression?
Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional, verbal or non-verbal slights usually directed towards a marginalized group. In the moment, they might seem like insignificant issues; however, these minor incidents can lead to long-lasting emotional and professional effects as they accumulate.
It is one of the major issues many women of color face as it intends to question and disqualify the capability of women of color in the workplace.
What are examples of microaggressions and biases women of color face in the workplace?
- Being constantly interrupted or talked over: In meetings, people constantly interrupt or talk over women of color, silencing them by dismissing/taking over their ideas, which undermines their confidence in participating in discussions.
- Receiving frequent comments about their appearance: While compliments are good, they can detract from the professional achievements of women of color in the workplace. The focus should always be on their capabilities and not their physical attributes.
- Being mistaken for someone who is not in a leadership position: Women of color who hold leadership roles are often overlooked or mistaken for someone in a subordinate role. This prevents women of color from receiving the recognition they deserve for their career advancement.
- Touching their hair: Unsolicited touching of their hair invades their privacy and is disrespectful, it reinforces the notion that their identity is open to scrutiny.
- Being expected to represent all women of color: Women of color are burdened with the expectation to speak on behalf of all women of color; this takes away from being looked at as each individual with their own experience.
- Mispronunciation of their name even after corrections: A name is someone’s identity, and when it’s repeatedly mispronounced—even after correction—it comes across as dismissive and lacking respect.
- Being told that they’re loud, aggressive, scary, or “need to tone it down”: When women of color speak with confidence or assertiveness, they often get labeled as aggressive. It’s a stigma attached to women of color for decades and limits their ability to express themselves authentically.
These are just a few examples of the microaggressions women of color face in the workplace. On their own, they are subtle comments and gestures that do not seem like a big deal; however, as they accumulate, they can be deeply damaging to a woman of color’s sense of belonging and value within her workplace.
A point to note is although microaggressions tend to co-exist with racial stigmas, they are not the same.
The Impact of Microaggressions and Biases on Women of Color in the Workplace
The effects of microaggressions and biases toward women of color are not “micro“. They have profound effects on the mental health, self-esteem, and professional growth of women of color.
Mental Health: Constantly having to navigate and deal with microaggressions in the workplace can lead to anxiety, stress, and burnout, since the emotional labor required is cumbersome for many women of color.
Self-Esteem: Over time, the accumulation of microaggressions chips away at the confidence of women of color and makes them question their abilities in the workplace.
Professional Growth: Women of color are often overlooked for promotions and leadership roles, due to biases they face in the workplace. It is not because of their lack of skill but having to deal with microaggressions that cause them to hesitate to speak up in meetings or shy away from opportunities that require assertiveness.
There is still work to be done in the workplace for women of color to feel respected, heard, and supported. The effects of microaggressions harm the professional journey of women of color and delay advancement in their careers.
2) Lack of Mentorship and Sponsorship
What are the differences between mentorship and sponsorship in the workplace?
Mentorship in the workplace is when experienced employees share their knowledge, advice, and insights through similar experiences to guide a less experienced colleague, helping them navigate challenges, develop their skills, and grow professionally.
Sponsorship, on the other hand, goes a step further. A sponsor is usually a senior-level leader who advocates and supports the career advancement of someone less senior. Sponsors use their influence to ensure the individual receives opportunities, resources, and visibility that will aid career advancement, often recommending them for promotions.
Why are mentorship and sponsorship important for women of color in the workplace?
For women of color, the lack of representation in the workplace decreases their exposure and access to mentors and sponsors who can resonate with their workplace challenges, leaving them disadvantaged in being recognized for high-visibility projects and key leadership roles.
Representation Matters: Representation is key. It increases the number of role models that can mentor and sponsor women of color by guiding them through their unique challenges in the workplace. Without guidance, women of color struggle to access opportunities for career development resources compared to their white peers.
Lack of Access to Key Opportunities: Without mentorship and sponsorship, women of color are often overlooked and excluded from career advancement opportunities. Having a mentor or sponsor who can open doors to opportunities that play a crucial role in career growth for women of color changes everything.
Empowering Yourself & Overcoming the Challenges: Strategies for Success
While the challenges faced by women of color in the workplace are real, there are powerful strategies and tools to combat and overcome these obstacles while advancing your career. You’ll do well in any job if you’re confident, take initiative, and bounce back from setbacks.
1. Build a Strong Support Network
The workplace is already difficult to navigate, so finding the right support network to guide and help advance your career can make a vast difference.
There are mentorship opportunities everywhere, so don’t limit yourself to only your company, especially if they lack formal mentorship opportunities.
How do you find mentors and sponsors outside of the workplace?
- Participate in online communities (LinkedIn, Facebook groups, and other online forums and communities)
- Network at events tailored to women of color within your industry.
- Join professional organizations.
These spaces provide insights and a sense of community and belonging.
2. Own Your Voice and Advocate for Yourself
Own your voice and advocate for yourself and your ideas. Share your impact on major projects in a way that confidently highlights your contributions.
You can start by sharing your ideas in small meetings and team chats if you’re shy.
3. Seek Opportunities for Professional Development
Identify arrears for improvement and explore opportunities to develop your skills. Register for workshops and webinars to gain certificates that will help increase your competitiveness in the industry and improve your resume. Your employer will realize how committed you are to growth and continuous learning.
4. Practice Self-Care and Maintain Boundaries
Stop.
Take a breath.
Reflect.
Set time aside for breaks, personal reflection, and self-care to help you manage stress and energy levels.
Ensure that you set and maintain boundaries between your professional and personal life to enhance your productivity and job performance.
Your career journey is about advancing professionally and honoring your well-being. Change the narrative you tell yourself and shift your mindset from self-doubt to self-assurance.
Lastly, learn your strengths, celebrate your accomplishments, and believe that you have the power to become a leader and change-maker in your industry.
Through empowerment, you can transform the challenges you face into opportunities. Share your experience and tips in the comments below or connect with us on social media.
Together, we can uplift and inspire each other to succeed.