Behaviors That Diminish A Black Woman’s Power In The Workplace

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Initiatives to advance women – you see those often (kind of) in professional settings. But you don’t see enough that specifically exists to advance the careers of Black women. And it must be acknowledged that Black women face more obstacles, more discrimination and more challenges than white women. Initiatives developed just to service all women do not address the specific needs of Black women. Black women, without question, face more than one glass ceiling. Once they’ve broken through the first glass ceiling that any woman must, there’s a second one that exists called racism.

If you need proof, consider this: while white women make on average 74 cents to the dollar of white men, Black women make 64 cents to the dollar of white men, says the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. Black women don’t just face gender discrimination, they also face occupational segregation, more motherhood penalties than white women, and additional discrimination that is directly tied to race. That is why while women of all races need to be aware of ways they unintentionally hold themselves back in their careers, Black women must be extra vigilant in upholding their power and asserting their value in professional settings. We gathered information and advice from successful Black women in several fields and extensive data on behaviors that diminish a Black woman’s power in the workplace.

Doing Someone Else’s Job

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Research on gender and racial discrimination in STEM published in Harvard Business Review (HBR) shows that Black women are significantly more likely than women of other races to be mistaken for someone in an administrative or custodial role.

If it is not your job to grab that coffee, arrange the birthday celebration in the break room, tidy up after a meeting…you get it…don’t do it. You worked hard to earn your role, and if that job description doesn’t involve administrative or custodial work, pass those tasks off to those who do officially hold those titles.

Over-Proving Yourself

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The same research from HBR showed that Black women consistently feel they must work harder to display their competence in order to prove themselves in their roles. This one is tricky, but be aware of times you are over-explaining or over-justifying a decision.

Research by YouGov reported on CNBC shows that over-explaining or apologizing is a sign of weakness, and those who say less are seen as more competent and more confident. Look for ways to confirm your ability to do something in fewer words and with more firmness. If the work will or does speak for itself, there’s no need to over-explain.

Not Building A Squad

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Minda Harts, the author of What Women of Color Need To Know To Secure A Seat At The Table, and founder of a career development company for women of color called The Memo LLC, did an interview with the American Association of University Women on the behavior of Black women in the workplace. Failing to build a squad – a team you can trust – at work is one of them. Don’t isolate yourself, suggests Harts. You need people who will vouch for you if you’re going to progress to leadership positions.

Furthermore, research from the British Journal of Social Psychology shows that women who face discrimination early in their careers are more likely to separate themselves from other women in the workplace. But you need the support of other women if you’re going to fight through several layers of discrimination.

Take Your Family Time

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There is one thing Black women experience less in the workplace than white women, but it’s not necessarily a good thing. Black women report having colleagues suggest they take some time off after having kids significantly less than white women do. Translation: people understand that new white moms might need a moment to decompress/spend time with their family, but they don’t extend that same grace to Black moms.

Take the maternity leave you are owed. Without apology. Neglecting yourself and not taking the time off you need doesn’t earn the respect of colleagues. In fact, often, giving others an inch means they take a mile. Coworkers then consistently see you as the person who can be counted on to take on too much work and sacrifice their own well-being for the sake of the company.

Don’t Be Afraid To Be The Only Black Person

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Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor Judith Lee shared her advice to other Black women trying to advance their careers in this piece from Merrill Lynch. She says that rather than shy away from opportunities because you’d be the only Black woman, recognize that you are a tremendous value because of your unique perspective. Own that and embody that.