Colorfull by Sharon Smith-Akinsanya

Author:Sharon Smith-Akinsanya [Sharon Smith-Akinsanya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Morgan James Publishing
Published: 2021-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

A great job isn’t enough

Many corporate leaders assume that the root of the problem is salaries, promotions, or something concrete, but it’s actually much more ephemeral. Professionals of color don’t just want job security and overflowing bank accounts; they want to feel like they are truly welcome, safe, and free to be themselves in their workplaces. They want cultural connectivity, a sense of belonging, and the assurance that their professional growth is important to their colleagues and supervisors. They want to be part of a working community, not just a workplace.

If that sounds touchy-feely to you, consider this:

What if you worked in an office where each of your bosses, all the way up to the CEO, looked differently from you and had wildly different life experiences. Let’s say 90 percent of your coworkers also grew up in different cultures, listened to different music, or blankly stared when you tried to strike up a conversation about your favorite TV show. Now imagine sitting in a meeting with these folks. Even if you had THE BEST ideas on the planet, would you be eager to raise your voice? Would you feel comfortable sharing your creativity with a population that was, at best, cordial and respectful of you but did nothing to make you feel like part of the team?

Maybe you can honestly say you would. But most people wouldn’t.

Many leaders think that being a talented and skilled employee who shoulders an engaging workload should be satisfying and sufficient. Interesting work is important, but it’s not enough.

Many also believe that all employees are motivated by simple things like money and advancement opportunities. Raises and promotions are important, but they’re not enough. (Side note: Millions of employees are more interested in feeling impactful, relevant, or included than getting paycheck bumps.13 Just saying.)

Many of these same leaders are perfectly willing to shell out for “team-building” retreats when the sales department is lagging behind but think “creating a culture of inclusion” for employees of color is a bridge too far. And that’s why they scratch their heads as talent of color flees the company in droves.

Work is never just work. Good jobs include tasks that feel important, recognition and rewards, but also camaraderie, friendships, social connections, and teamwork. Very few people will thrive if they feel isolated or misunderstood at work. And many, MANY professionals of color feel that way every day.

Luckily, any company with the will to make its culture more inclusive and welcoming can do it. It’ll take some time, some training, and some resources, but the end result will be retaining those fantastic employees of color instead of watching them slip away.

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