Sarah Manley’s Post

Had a thought-provoking conversation yesterday with a close friend and fellow Blox judge. We discussed the challenges faced when people don't take you seriously due to preconceived notions based on appearance. It's disheartening to encounter biases like being underestimated for looking young or being labeled as a "pretty girl" who might not know their stuff. However, my friend pointed out something that resonated deeply. He highlighted the importance of substance over superficial judgments. He shared an impactful moment from when we first met in Tulsa, acknowledging that while initial impressions might raise eyebrows, it's the depth of knowledge and proven track record that truly impresses. Reflecting on these insights, it's a reminder of the obstacles one may face in breaking through stereotypes. It prompts me to consider how many opportunities might have been missed due to snap judgments. Let's challenge ourselves to look beyond appearances and give credit where it's due based on merit and expertise. Moral of my post- I'm not going to change who I am to fit what anyone thinks I should be like. I am goofy, I am genuine, and I love hard. I care about the relationships I have and continue to build on both ends of my business. #Diversity #Inclusion #Professionalism #Bias #BusinessChallenges #AppearanceVsSubstance

Implicit Bias…Do You Have It? By Dr. Rico D. Short WHAT IS IMPLICIT BIAS?? Implicit bias: tendency to process information based on unconcious associations with a certain social group. Everyone has implicit bias. Some are aware of them. Some try to be conscious of them. Most are unaware. Examples: 1. She looks young she must be young, therefore she must be inexperienced. 2. He is black/Asian/Hispanic therefore he must be ______(stereotypical behavior of a social group) 3. She looks little therefore she must be weak. 4. He looks quiet therefore he must be passive. 5. She is new she must not know as much. 6. He dresses like ______he must be _______. We all have built in implicit bias based on our internal frame of reference which is built from past experiences. The most difficult part is to realize that there are implicit bias and help to be more open-minded and objective about it. #culturalcompetency #DrRicoShort #implicit #bias

My tell-tale sign my inner critic is running the show- I start thinking in black and white....... Anyone else 🙋♀️ ? The kind of thinking, where everything is: - Good/Bad - Win/Lose  - Right/Wrong When we think about our inner critic in terms of “it’s true” or “it’s not true” our brains latch onto the small piece of truth in our critical thoughts and then file it in the “it must be true” category.... Instead of assuming that a molecule of truth = the whole truth It helps to put thoughts on a spectrum of truth  And ask  “HOW true is it?” This helps you see your thoughts more clearly, so you can understand things better and find a way to move forward. The next time you feel like things are either all one way or the other, try this: - Pause - Notice the black-and-white thinking ( victim to you Inner Critic) - Ask yourself, “HOW true is it?” This gives you space to be human, make mistakes, and grow. Don’t let black-and-white thinking limit your potential. ------- I'm an ex-corporate Recruiter turned Inner Critic Career Coach who knows what it's like to feel limited by the voices in our heads. We are meant for more! 🎯 I'm here holding you to your highest potential!

Are you REALLY Self-Aware? Most people believe they are self-aware, but actually they have a lot to learn… When you are truly self-aware, you can begin to identify your Black Dots. People who are self-aware do the following: ⚫ Reflect and engage in introspection regularly ⚫Understand their triggers ⚫Know their values and priorities ⚫Are open to feedback ⚫Assess their satisfaction with their life overall Do you do all of these things? Tell me below which one you do most often

What do you see on the image? is it the black Dot or the White background A person who sees the white background instantly predicts the present and future better. that's because they focus on more opportunities, factors, events, challengers rather getting distracted on one problem which indicates the black dot. In life you will come through so many happy moments but we human always intend to think on that one problem which cause you so many failures. Make sure you're not distracted on that one change but make it a lesson and move forward to create better ways in living!! it could be your personal life or work life #quotestoliveby #learningandgrowing

My claim to LI fame moment So, on the 5th of June 2021, I woke up and decided to post a milestone on LI and it went VIRAL. At the time, I probably had around 500 connections, which was quite a lot back then. There is so much that I didn't share which preceded this moment. For example, I didn’t share that I registered on the last date to start the re-qualification process. To be honest, I didn’t want to put my intellect on the line - expose myself to the possibility that I may not be as smart as I believe I am. In addition, my self-limiting belief that I had no confidence that I would become an Australian qualified lawyer. And, for valid reasons. There just aren’t that many black Australian lawyers. If I could go back in time and restart my Thought Leadership and personal branding journey, I would: ⚫️ Be authentic - I really wish I shared more about my experiences because I would have probably felt less lonely and isolated. ⚫️ Post consistently - I would share more about my journey. The good and the bad because duality exists in most circumstances. ⚫️ Socialise - It's called social media for a reason; you actually have to socialise. So, don't be egocentric and expect others to engage with your content, if you don't reciprocate. ⚫️ Network - make more of an effort to continue expanding my network. For anyone who may still feel uncomfortable with posting on LI, remember, courage precedes confidence. And, to gain confidence, you must go where you have none.

"You have the right to take up space" --- is a verbal statement I make to myself at least once a week. Here are three reasons why it is important to make this statement to yourself.   1. It is a reminder that your thoughts and opinions are valid.   My specialty in psychology is health psychology and I believe that Black voices matter in helping to reduce the health disparities that occur in medicine and healthcare.   2. I say it to challenge my automatic process of holding back thoughts because I am worried those thoughts are not fully polished or perfectly organized.   Not everything you say will be perfect, put it out there and take feedback accordingly.   3. Taking up space is not selfish but can be a sign of authenticity.   I firmly believe having more opportunities to express your authentic self does wonders for one's mental health. This quote is not only limited to work, but it also extends to personal spaces and relationships.

Linkers, Let's Talk About Microaggressions in the Workplaces. Microaggressions can happen to anyone, regardless of race or ethnicity. They're often unintentional, but their impact can be cumulative and harmful. Here are some examples: 💥Mistaking passion for aggression 💥Mispronouncing or disregarding names 💥Attributing strong emotions to a lack of professionalism. These behaviors can create a hostile work environment and hinder collaboration. What can you do? Practice empathy: Consider how your words and actions might be interpreted. Be mindful of unconscious bias: We all have them, but self-awareness is key. Learn and grow: Educate yourself about microaggressions and their effects. Remember, the goal is to create a workplace where everyone feels respected and valued. What are you going to do it different? #microaggressions #diversityandinclusion #workplaceculture

I don’t know about you, but when I thought of privilege, I did think unearned—however, only from the perspective of what people had, like wealth, and then white people.⁣ ⁣ But privilege goes beyond just wealth or race. It can be about gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, and more. It’s about unearned advantages that shape our experiences and opportunities in life.⁣ ⁣ Let’s dive deeper into this conversation. Consider these questions:⁣ ⁣ If privilege bothers you, why does it make you uncomfortable?⁣ ⁣ How have you used your privilege to support and uplift others?⁣ ⁣ In what ways have you benefited from unearned advantages in your life?⁣ ⁣ Are there areas where you’ve overlooked your own privilege because it’s uncomfortable to acknowledge?⁣ ⁣ How can you expand your perspective to recognize different forms of privilege beyond just socioeconomic status?⁣ ⁣ I’d love to hear your thoughts, comments, and experiences.

BIAS Let’s normalize that, first and foremost, in any situation what others think of you is not a reflection on you. It is a reflection on them. More importantly, being a young, black woman in HR, the stereotypes and biases that others place on me is not a reflection of me. It’s a reflection of them. My job is to lead with kindness and compassion. Have you ever considered that others have biases because they haven’t had much experience? That’s sad. And it’s your job to change the stereotype, correct the bias, and switch the narrative. Even more so, be aware of your own biases because we all have them. Educate yourself and then educate others. Do your job and the next time someone places a stereotype on you, correct them and show them your character.