By Carmen Van Kerckhove
 
Diversity training is practically useless when it comes to helping companies diversify their management ranks, according to a recent study by Harvard University sociologist Frank Dobbin.

After poring through 30 years of data from more than 700 corporations, Dobbin concluded that the most successful programs were those that established direct accountability for diversity. Networking and mentoring programs also had a modest positive effect. But diversity training was by far the least effective initiative at increasing the number of white women, black women, and black men in management.

Frankly, I’m not surprised by Dobbin’s findings.

From what I’ve seen, diversity training rarely succeeds at reducing stereotyping and bias within organizations.

Why? Because many diversity trainers actually teach people to hide their racism. » Continue reading “Diversity Training Is About Protecting the Company, Not Educating You”

By Carmen Van Kerckhove
 
People of your racial or ethnic group are stereotyped as good employees with a solid work ethic. That should bode well for your career, right?

Not necessarily. Even so-called “positive” racial stereotypes could spell trouble for you in the workplace. Here are some adverse effects you could experience.

1. You get pigeonholed

If people at your workplace buy into a racial stereotype, it could influence the type of positions for which they think you are best suited. Say, for example, you’re Asian-American, and your colleagues believe that all Asians are good at science and math. You could have a hard time moving into a client-facing position because your boss thinks you’d be better suited crunching numbers in a back office. » Continue reading “Why Positive Racial Stereotypes Can Be Harmful Too”

By Carmen Van Kerckhove

To get ahead in a crowded field, it isn’t always what you know, it’s frequently who you know. This is why networking is crucial, especially for women and people of color who want to break through the glass ceiling.

If you’re like most people, you probably hate the idea of networking for a number of reasons. Perhaps you’ve attended networking events where people shoved their business cards at you, fake-smiled, and then — when they realized you couldn’t help them land a job — immediately found another victim to assault just an arm’s length away.

Relax! It doesn’t have to be like this. In fact, if you wait until you need a job to start networking, as in the above instance, you’re going about it all wrong. Networking should be an on-going part of your working lifestyle, not a last-ditch tactic when you’re in dire straits.

As you change the negative notions you associate with networking, you’ll actually become a much better networker. It’s not about trying to get what you want as much as it is about helping other people get what they want.
 
Career expert Penelope Truck says, “Networking is about being nice. It’s about figuring out what someone needs, and determining how to help him get it. Be aware of what people are trying to accomplish in their lives so that you can help them reach their goals — either by helping them yourself or putting them in touch with someone who can help them.” » Continue reading “The Introvert’s Guide to Networking Like a Pro”

By Carmen Van Kerckhove

Do your colleagues’ eyes glaze over every time you bring up race or diversity?

Do your coworkers tell you that they, too, believe in the importance of diversity, but when you ask them to participate in any way, they’re “too busy” to help out or even return your phone calls?

Do some of your colleagues avoid you altogether, considering you a member of the PC police, waiting to catch them saying something offensive?

If you resonate to any of the above scenarios, perhaps it helps to know that you’re not alone. It’s a real challenge for diversity professionals to get colleagues involved in the ways we hope they will.

Many diversity professionals get into the field because it’s something they’re passionate about on a personal level. They realize that eliminating racial inequalities is a first step to ultimately achieving social justice.

It’s important to feel passionate — without it, we’d burn out faster than a single match when brought up against the sluggishness with which change occurs in this field.

But consider this: sometimes our biggest strength — passion — can become our biggest weakness. We can get so caught up in the “why” (doing the right thing, the whole matter of justice) that we fail to see that our passion isn’t necessarily translating into results.

Recruiting reluctant people to address diversity initiatives is no easy matter. If you’re not making as much progress as you’d like, here are four ways to reset, recharge, and rebuild.

1. Stop thinking of yourself as the opposition » Continue reading “How Diversity Professionals Can Gain the Influence They Need to Create Real Change”

By Carmen Van Kerckhove

If you’re like most people, the idea of self-promotion makes your stomach turn. But in today’s business climate, the reality is this: unless you make your accomplishments known on a regular basis, you may find yourself with a pink slip because your managers don’t realize the value you bring to your organization.

Do you assume that your boss sees your every move and notices your every contribution? Think again. She’s just as worried about job security as you are, and focuses more on justifying her own existence than on tracking your accomplishments.

But how do you toot your own horn without coming across as an arrogant jerk? Here are a few suggestions.

1. Be sensitive to your environment

If your manager is scrambling to meet a deadline, or upset about a project gone awry, it’s probably not a good time to dazzle him with tales of your accomplishments. Instead, offer an encouraging word or some real relief for their situation. If you can find a way to eliminate or alleviate his immediate pain, he’ll remember it later on when it counts the most. » Continue reading “How to Toot Your Own Horn Without Sounding Like a Jerk”

By Carmen Van Kerckhove

Did you know that people who have well-chosen mentors are twice as likely to be promoted as those who don’t? Or that executives who had mentors earned more money sooner than others?

Working with good mentors is especially important for professionals of color, as it can shortcut your way to the top and help you break through the old boys’ network.

If you’re ready to put the power of mentoring to use in your career, here are 6 ways to get started.

1. Define your goals.

Before you embark on finding an effective mentor, you first need to decide what your goals are. » Continue reading “Skyrocket Your Career by Finding and Working With Effective Mentors”