Black Women in the Workplace

This was last week at the University of Limpopo where we were delivering the UCTGSB Women in Leadership Program for the Professors and Doctors HOD’s at the University of Limpopo . I am so grateful to get to do this work. I enjoyed the vigorous debates, the vulnerability, the sisterhood and more importantly the Ubuntu/ humanity that we were showered with at this institution. It was such a beautiful fulfilling experience. #womeninleadership #womenintheworkplace #blackwomenintheworkplace #gratitude #leadershipdevelopment

Get in the Room: The Meeting Is the Arena One of the most effective ways to grow your strategic alliance or personal board of directors is by elevating your brand. Interestingly, while a strong alliance with influential individuals can enhance your brand, you also need a certain level of brand recognition to attract high-caliber connections. Understanding the importance of meetings is crucial. These gatherings are where careers are made or broken, and decisions about who gets promoted often happen in these settings. Therefore, you must be intentional about how you present yourself in meetings. Start by ensuring you’re visible—don’t hide in the background. If you have valuable insights that could benefit your organisation, speak up! Hiding in the background or avoiding participation can undermine your brand visibility. Losing your cool in a meeting due to unregulated emotions won’t help your cause either. Your elite personal brand won’t matter if you’re not present for others to see it. Prioritise getting into strategic meetings, or at the very least, make sure those in attendance know who you are and what you can achieve. Otherwise, you risk remaining the best-kept secret, missing out on opportunities to increase your influence and create impact. Engage actively in meetings, showcase your capabilities, and build relationships with others. This proactive approach will help you establish a strong presence and ensure that you are recognized for your contributions. Remember, being in the room is just as important as what you bring to the table. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Are you a Black Woman in the Workplace who is called to the next level of leadership, income and impact? My name is Busisiwe Hlatswayo and I coach Black women to position themselves for leadership, navigate race and gender bias and be effective leaders in the workplace and the marketplace. For a Free 30 Minutes Career Strategy Consultation: https://lnkd.in/dZKvQ555 Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/dZTatcm4 #careermindset #careeradviceforwomen #careeradvice#careerinspiration #corporateadvice #corporateleadership #blackwomenincorporate #corporateworklife #blackwomenempowerment#blackwomenarepowerful #blackwomenmotivational #blackwomenintheworkplace #blackwomen##WomenInLeadership #Inspiration #BlackWomenInBusiness #Empowerment

Success Loves Success: Elevate your brand to attract your strategic alliance Success attracts success. People naturally want to associate with those who are thriving. Even those driven by a desire to uplift others often seek to support individuals with potential. Just as dogs bark at a moving car, some may only notice you once you achieve visibility and success. This doesn’t mean they are haters; it simply reflects that you weren’t on their radar before. To attract a strategic alliance that enhances your influence and impact, you must actively work on your personal brand. This involves intentionally defining your brand and ensuring you consistently present yourself in alignment with it. Visibility is key; being the best-kept secret and relying solely on your immediate boss to promote your brand is naive. While we must acknowledge the less savoury aspects of self-promotion, it’s crucial to recognise your responsibility to ensure you are seen and known. Proactively create a brand that others want to support and be associated with. This is how you will attract mentors, sponsors, and allies who can help form a robust strategic network. Invest time in networking beyond your comfort zone. Engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds, industries, and experiences. Remember, your success is not just about your achievements—it's also about how well you are known and recognized in your professional community. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Are you a Black Woman in the Workplace who is called to the next level of leadership, income and impact? My name is Busisiwe Hlatswayo and I coach Black women to position themselves for leadership, navigate race and gender bias and be effective leaders in the workplace and the marketplace. For a Free 30 Minutes Career Strategy Consultation: https://lnkd.in/dZKvQ555 Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/dZTatcm4 #careermindset #careeradviceforwomen #careeradvice#careerinspiration #corporateadvice #corporateleadership #blackwomenincorporate #corporateworklife #blackwomenempowerment#blackwomenarepowerful #blackwomenmotivational #blackwomenintheworkplace #blackwomen##WomenInLeadership #Inspiration #BlackWomenInBusiness #Empowerment

A Strategic Alliance vs. vs Relying on One Mentor or Sponsor As a Black woman in the workplace, it's crucial to have a strong support network to navigate challenges and advance your career.You may have a mentor, possibly your boss, who wields significant power in the workplace. By virtue of your association, people treat you differently—bullies back off, and your access to resources and support is smoother. You may even be positioned as their successor.But then, they leave the organisation. Despite being chosen as their successor, their departure weakens their influence. Not only do you lose a potential promotion—but the leverage and favour you once had, all because your power was tied to a single individual. This is the risk of relying on one lone sponsor rather than building a broad strategic alliance. While loyalty is essential in any strong sponsorship relationship, it’s crucial to expand your network beyond just one person. A broader network also strengthens your sponsor’s ability to advocate on your behalf because others at the decision-making table also know and view you favourably. This collective influence safeguards you in the event that your primary sponsor leaves. You won’t be left isolated, scrambling to build relationships that should have been nurtured while they were still around. Diversifying your alliances ensures that you have multiple sources of support, influence, and advocacy. When one connection shifts, you’ll still have a network that empowers you to move forward. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Are you a Black Woman in the Workplace who is called to the next level of leadership, income and impact? My name is Busisiwe Hlatswayo and I coach Black women to position themselves for leadership, navigate race and gender bias and be effective leaders in the workplace and the marketplace. For a Free 30 Minutes Career Strategy Consultation: https://lnkd.in/dZKvQ555 Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/dZTatcm4 #careermindset #careeradviceforwomen #careeradvice#careerinspiration #corporateadvice #corporateleadership #blackwomenincorporate #corporateworklife #blackwomenempowerment#blackwomenarepowerful #blackwomenmotivational #blackwomenintheworkplace #blackwomen##WomenInLeadership #Inspiration #BlackWomenInBusiness #Empowerment

Navigating Cultural Differences for Black Women Seeking Top Leadership Roles As a leadership coach for Black women, I discuss the impact of cultural differences in the workplace. We often come from a collectivist, hierarchical background, but enter an individualistic Western culture that values self-advocacy and self-promotion. I advise using first names to view colleagues as equals, rather than using honorifics that can reinforce hierarchy. This can be challenging, especially for those seeking top leadership roles, where Black women often face additional barriers. I'm here to help Black women position themselves for success in senior leadership. …………………………………………………………… Are you a Black Woman in the Workplace who feels called to the next level of leadership, income and impact? My name is Busisiwe Hlatswayo and I coach Black women to position themselves for leadership, navigate race and gender bias and be effective leaders in the workplace and the market place For a Free 30 Minutes Career Strategy Consultation: https://lnkd.in/dZKvQ555 Enrol now for any of my free webinars : - Promotion webinar: https://lnkd.in/g9zRrM7g - Next level webinar: https://lnkd.in/gmqjgQhb Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/dZTatcm4 #BlackWomenintheWorkplace #LeadershipDevelopment #CulturalDiversity #CareerAdvancement #TopLeadershipPositions

Expand Your Network Beyond What Is Comfortable As we continue this month’s theme of collaboration, it's important to highlight the role others play in your career success. One key lesson is to become comfortable collaborating with people outside your usual circles. We tend to gravitate towards people who look like us, share similar backgrounds, and are easy to connect with. However, the individuals who can truly help you gain influence, impact, and career advancement may not always be these people. To grow, you’ll need to expand your network beyond age, race, gender, sexual orientation, political, or religious affiliations. I’ve personally faced discomfort when engaging with those who are older or hold more power in my career, especially if they are of a different gender. I missed out on valuable mentorship and sponsorship opportunities because I had been socialised to avoid these relationships. Looking back, I realise that people in power who admired my talent and work ethic wanted to build these connections with me, but I let my discomfort hold me back. Additionally, I’ve seen this dynamic play out in religious contexts, where biases against those with different beliefs can hinder strategic relationships. Avoiding connections with individuals who lead lifestyles you might not agree with can keep you from opportunities that could advance your career. The lesson? Stretch beyond what feels comfortable. Build relationships with a diverse range of people who can offer different perspectives and open doors you might not have access to otherwise.Embrace the discomfort of expanding your network; it can lead to unexpected opportunities and valuable insights. Remember, growth happens when you step beyond what feels familiar. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Are you a Black Woman in the Workplace who is called to the next level of leadership, income and impact? My name is Busisiwe Hlatswayo and I coach Black women to position themselves for leadership, navigate race and gender bias and be effective leaders in the workplace and the marketplace. For a Free 30 Minutes Career Strategy Consultation: https://lnkd.in/dZKvQ555 Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/dZTatcm4 #careermindset #careeradviceforwomen #careeradvice#careerinspiration #corporateadvice #corporateleadership #blackwomenincorporate #corporateworklife #blackwomenempowerment#blackwomenarepowerful #blackwomenmotivational #blackwomenintheworkplace #blackwomen##WomenInLeadership #Inspiration #BlackWomenInBusiness #empowerment

Be Vigilant About Your Allies in the Workplace In the workplace, you’re going to need allies—a personal “board of directors” or strategic alliance that includes coaches, mentors, sponsors, peers, and sources of information. These are the people who will support you, challenge you, and help you grow. However, it’s crucial to remain vigilant about who forms part of this alliance and whether they truly have your back. Many of us have experienced the disappointment of a mentor who initially provided guidance, wisdom, and sometimes even sponsorship, only to switch on us when we began to succeed in ways they didn’t expect. When your success, independence, or vision surpasses what they are comfortable with, a mentor can suddenly become an anti-mentor. Another type of ally to be cautious of is the “benevolent sexist” mentor, often a direct manager. While they genuinely consider themselves your ally and are supportive. They may harbour unconscious biases, believing that women, particularly those with small children, should be shielded from challenging assignments or opportunities that involve hard work, or travel. It’s vital to recognize that having a great relationship with such a mentor doesn’t guarantee they are your ally. Their intentions may be good, but their actions can still hinder your progress. Out of misplaced concern, they may withhold opportunities that could advance your career and impact. Be mindful of these dynamics. Your success depends on having allies who truly advocate for you and see your full potential. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Are you a Black Woman in the Workplace who is called to the next level of leadership, income and impact? My name is Busisiwe Hlatswayo and I coach Black women to position themselves for leadership, navigate race and gender bias and be effective leaders in the workplace and the marketplace. For a Free 30 Minutes Career Strategy Consultation: https://lnkd.in/dZKvQ555 Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/dZTatcm4 #careermindset #careeradviceforwomen #careeradvice#careerinspiration #corporateadvice #corporateleadership #blackwomenincorporate #corporateworklife #blackwomenempowerment#blackwomenarepowerful #blackwomenmotivational #blackwomenintheworkplace #blackwomen##WomenInLeadership #Inspiration #BlackWomenInBusiness #Empowerment

Who are your ‘Sources’? I’m a fan of ‘Survivor , and while it’s not real life, the game’s design—complete with constant twists—does mirror some aspects of the corporate environment. In Survivor, players are evaluated based on three key elements: social skills, strategic sense, and physical ability. In the workplace, I equate physical ability to competence and work ethic. In both contexts, social skills and strategic sense are crucial. Your ability to read the room and strategically position yourself, combined with strong interpersonal skills, can significantly impact your career advancement. Your competency and work ethic gets you in the room. However, Understanding what drives different people and how to effectively communicate with them enhances your influence and effectiveness. To navigate the corporate landscape successfully, it’s important to not only hone these skills but also to curate your “Personal Board of Directors.” Just as information is power in Survivor, you need trusted individuals who can provide you with insight—both into how you’re being perceived, including your blind spots, and into the inner workings and dynamics of the business. While we’d all love to believe we can focus solely on doing great work, the reality is that perception matters. Engaging with the workplace as it is—rather than how you wish it to be—will be better for your mental health. Acknowledging these dynamics and actively managing your perception can empower you to thrive in your career. You have some agency to shape how you are seen and to advocate for your own success …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Are you a Black Woman in the Workplace who is called to the next level of leadership, income and impact? My name is Busisiwe Hlatswayo and I coach Black women to position themselves for leadership, navigate race and gender bias and be effective leaders in the workplace and the marketplace. For a Free 30 Minutes Career Strategy Consultation: https://lnkd.in/dZKvQ555 Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/dZTatcm4 #careermindset #careeradviceforwomen #careeradvice#careerinspiration #corporateadvice #corporateleadership #blackwomenincorporate #corporateworklife #blackwomenempowerment#blackwomenarepowerful #blackwomenmotivational #blackwomenintheworkplace #blackwomen##WomenInLeadership #Inspiration #BlackWomenInBusiness #Empowerment

Sponsors - who is banging the table on your behalf? In her book ‘Sit Over There’, Francine Parham shares an important question she was once asked: “Who is banging the table on your behalf?” The reality is, decisions about your career are often made at tables where you are not present. It’s essential to have people at those tables who are banging them in your favour. As a Black woman in the workplace, navigating the challenges of a marginalised identity, you are often underestimated and hold less power and influence, even when you are in a position of authority. That’s why mentorship alone is not enough—you need sponsors. These are people who will actively advocate for you, using their influence to advance your career. Sponsorship is different from mentorship because when someone sponsors you, they are putting their personal brand and reputation on the line. If you fail, their reputation can take a hit. This makes sponsorship relationships more high-stakes, and therefore, harder to come by. As a Black woman leader, it’s also important to consider becoming a sponsor for junior employees in your workplace. Sponsoring someone isn’t just a generous act—it can be a powerful, reciprocal strategy for career advancement for both you and your protégé, especially if they are strong in areas where you are not. Building sponsorship relationships is crucial for career growth, both for yourself and for the next generation of leaders. Is sponsorship part of your career strategy? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Are you a Black Woman in the Workplace who is called to the next level of leadership, income and impact? My name is Busisiwe Hlatswayo and I coach Black women to position themselves for leadership, navigate race and gender bias and be effective leaders in the workplace and the marketplace. For a Free 30 Minutes Career Strategy Consultation: https://lnkd.in/dZKvQ555 Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/dZTatcm4 #careermindset #careeradviceforwomen #careeradvice#careerinspiration #corporateadvice #corporateleadership #blackwomenincorporate #corporateworklife #blackwomenempowerment#blackwomenarepowerful #blackwomenmotivational #blackwomenintheworkplace #blackwomen##WomenInLeadership #Inspiration #BlackWomenInBusiness #Empowerment

What a privilege it is to have been part of this momentous event.