Читать книгу Prep, Push, Pivot - Octavia Goredema - Страница 15

Watching women of color successfully climb the corporate ladder is always inspiring because there are so few of us that make it. As a result, this type of ascent often makes headlines. Each time someone defies convention to make it to the corner office, the boardroom, the Senate, or wherever they've set their intent, we collectively cheer and applaud from the sidelines. But as we celebrate, I often reflect on what we don't know, or may not see. We don't know the struggle that preceded the achievement, or how it feels to be the first, only, or one of just a few, after a ceiling has been broken. Who picks up the pieces?

A few years ago, I heard US Vice President Kamala Harris say this, and her words stuck with me for the longest time:

“When we talk about breaking barriers, some would suggest that you're just on this side of the barrier and then you turn out on this side of the barrier. No, it's breaking barriers. And when you break things, it hurts.”2

As women of color navigating the workplace, we see and feel barriers to advancing that are largely invisible to white professionals. Breaking barriers is painful. Then, if we persist and push through, it can be equally painful on the other side. How your career looks on the outside isn't anything like how it feels.

My work is centered on helping others overcome challenges in the workplace. No one is immune from facing challenges at work; even professionals who are perceived as highfliers will have periods where they struggle. If you're facing a hard time, you're not alone, and you will come through it.

During my career there were periods of time when I was the only Black woman in a meeting, the only Black woman on my team, and the only Black woman in the building. When you're the only, the first, or one of very few, there's an inherent pressure to be perfect, because you represent your race and gender, not just your job title. And on top of that, it often feels like there's no protection.