Time to stop crushing spirits: Employees of Color are saving themselves
Motivational Monday!
Psalm 34:18 -The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit
When a spirit is crushed it is one of the most devastating experiences in a human’s life. Sadly, spirits are often crushed by outward actions and the inaction by many corporations and other institutions. I worked in three of the least diverse industries, pharmaceutical, medical device, and a law firm. I have experienced both as an Executive and an emerging leader a crushed spirit. I have also watched, fought against, and comforted crushed spirits. Yes, spirit-crushing can happen to anyone, but the occurrence and impact on people of color (especially African Americans) is far more insidious than any other group of employees. Please understand that a crushed spirit must go back home and still take care of a home, children, family members, their community, house of worship, and still show back up to work and pretend that everything is ok.
You may be thinking, I have not crushed a spirt. I do not work for an organization that crushes spirits, we respect all differences. You may even have a fancy consultant rich inclusion statement. Perhaps you posted a Black Lives Matter statement.
Well here are some examples of what spirit-crushing looks like to a person of color?
A Senior Executive Team and Corporate Board that looks nothing like them
Lack of recognition, specific feedback, or a serious discussion about their career and/or development opportunities within a company/institution.
Watching their manager or colleagues dine, have coffee, discuss a project, or an opportunity, and they were not invited to the conversation.
Facial expressions, change of voice tone, minor criticisms, jokes, or offhand comments when they are speaking and the behavior is not seen with anyone else.
Reading or being forced to write a diversity statement that they know is not practiced within the systems and structures of their organization, especially after a need to convince leadership it is the right thing to do.
I left Corporate and entered leadership development work to prepare future leaders. Honestly, I have found that most clients want to exit, especially in corporations. I believe there are mindset changes happening with employees.
My Motivation Monday message is for corporations and institutions. Please use this time to do something different, think different, and be different. Employees of color will no longer be waiting for you to figure it out, they are tired of crushed spirits. They are saving themselves.