As career growth and advancement remains a critical topic for millions of working professionals and as always, Black History Month puts a much needed spotlight on the lack of diversity in senior levels across many industries in Corporate UK.Â
A 2021 survey by the Parker Review showed that 124 out of the 998 board positions, across the FTSE 100 companies that responded to the survey, are held by 118 ethnic minority (12%) directors, compared to 95 directors in 2020. There is even further disparity between ethnic minority groups when it comes to leadership positions – in the UK, just 1.5 percent of managers, directors and senior officials are Black, according to A Business in the Community (BITC) report, ‘Race at the Top’.
These are truly disappointing stats especially considering the diverse, multi-cultural society we now live in, however, there are a number of steps that Black professionals can take, to even the odds and position themselves for career advancement and a rise to the C-suite.Â
Build competence
To advance in your career, you must know your onions and be technically competent. Developing a growth mindset, asking questions and learning from others within and beyond your team are quick ways to build competence. Going the extra mile to get certification or an additional qualification can also give you the knowledge you need to stand out.
Tomi Ibirogba, Founder, Career Couch UK says “Knowledge will help you enjoy your work because it boosts your confidence and leads to improved performance. This in turn earns you a seat at the table of rewarding projects, increases your influence and reputation, and ultimately leads to recognition and promotions.”
Knowledge is an asset. It makes it easier to land a job, to succeed in your chosen career path and to prepare for change.
Grow your confidence muscle
Confidence is very important to personal and professional progress. Often people from an ethnic minority background underplay strengths and skills at work for fear of perpetuating negative stereotypes such as being labelled aggressive or angry. Similarly, cultural norms around respect for those in authority are perceived as timidity and a lack of confidence in the workplace.
Learning how to communicate with confidence in the workplace can amplify your competence tremendously, and give you a seat at the table. Dupe Akinsiun, a Global Diversity Talent Manager in the UK Chemical Industry says, “Black working professionals in the UK need to build their Competence, Character, Confidence and Composure so much that the Colour of their skin doesn’t stand in the way of their Career progression.”
Volunteer for stretch assignments
A stretch assignment refers to a project or task that is currently beyond your level of knowledge or skill. Such assignments serve to stretch you developmentally by placing you in a challenging position in order to learn and grow. They can also get you noticed by decision-makers within your firm and place you on the path of growth.
While it may seem uncomfortable to be pushed out of your comfort zone, you might find yourself better positioned for internal and external opportunities as a result of stretch assignments. Don’t be afraid to take on the extra load, as Thomas Edison said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”Â
Seek out mentors and sponsors
Any black professional who is serious about growth and development should seek out sponsors and mentors. Mentorship is a mutually beneficial professional relationship in which an experienced individual imparts knowledge, expertise and wisdom to a less experienced person (the mentee). For ethnically diverse professionals, mentors can serve as role models, mirroring the potential and possibility for career advancement.Â
Sponsorship is even more important and involves developing a relationship with a person who has authority or influence they can use to help you in your career development or advancement. A sponsor is an individual who can open up opportunities for you. They are not only more experienced but can lift you to a higher level in the company. This can be done in a number of ways, including talking to you about internal opportunities, nominating you for boards or projects, and advocating for your advancement within the company to senior leaders or decision-makers within the company. Â
Anu Adejoro, a Global HR Consultant with a multinational oil and gas firm added, “As a black immigrant in the UK, I had to learn quickly the importance of speaking up for the things I desire, deserve, and will not accept, but most importantly finding the people who will do this for me in the rooms I have no presence”.
Get rid of impostor syndrome
Many black professionals struggle with the voice of their own internal critic, which makes them doubt their competence despite evidence that they are highly skilled. If you’re struggling with impostor syndrome, then you’ll almost never put your hand up for opportunities you’d excel at, because you just don’t think you’re good enough, or ready enough.
Silence the critic! Change the internal conversations within your head. Keep a brag list of all your accomplishments and review it often to remind yourself how capable you are of doing great things.
As you practise these 5 tips, you will see that as you grow in capacity, the opportunities will come knocking at your door, and career growth will be the result. The tips have been sourced by Career Masterclass (www.careermasterclass.com) and shared by speakers who attended its fifth global career development conference, STRETCH.
About Career Masterclass
Career Masterclass is on a mission to democratise career growth and support the career progression of ethnically diverse talents worldwide. Its aim is to become the one-stop career development platform to level the playing field for professionals from under-represented or under-served groups by preparing them to grasp today’s opportunities and those in the future.
It was founded by Bukola Adisa, a senior governance, risk and controls expert who has held leadership roles in global financial services organisations such as Barclays, RBS (now NatWest), JP Morgan and Deloitte.
