Black Women in the Workplace

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.

Coaches: Your Strategic Thinking partner A lawyer once posed a thought-provoking question: How are Black women navigating this world without a lawyer, when life constantly throws curveballs and bullies seem to lurk everywhere, looking to exploit you? I couldn’t agree more—and I want to ask Black women in leadership a similar question: As a Black woman in the workplace, navigating the landmines of bias, stereotypes, microaggressions, hypervisibility, unfair labour practices, and challenges associated with being a trailblazer. How do you confront these obstacles daily without a ‘strategic thinking partner’? Coaching is often misunderstood as a developmental tool for those who are struggling to manage on their own. This is an unfortunate and limiting perception of what a coach truly offers. I see a coach as a ‘strategic thinking partner’. A good coach creates a powerful environment for reflection—your personal strategy session. A good coach challenges you, holds you accountable, and calls you out when you’re limiting yourself. They offer a window into the “unknown unknowns” in your Johari Window, helping you see the blind spots, biases, and limiting beliefs you may not even realise are there. A coach provides the space to lay everything out on the table, enabling you to gain clarity on your goals, strategies, and decisions. ‘It takes a village’, and including a coach in your support system can help you play to win while maintaining your sanity. Coaches can empower you to articulate your goals, navigate complex dynamics, and build resilience against workplace challenges. Invest in yourself by seeking out a coach who understands your unique experiences. Together, you can strategize for success and ensure that you are equipped to thrive in your career. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 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

The Importance of Mentorship for Black Women in the Workplace In my language, isiZulu, we say “Indlela ibuzwa kwabaphambili,” meaning when taking a journey, you must seek guidance from those who have gone ahead of you. This reflects the concept of mentorship deeply woven into our culture. In Zulu tradition, younger women would have an “Iqhikiza,” an older woman, often engaged to be married, who served as a trusted advisor and guide. For Black women in the workplace—many of whom are the first in their families to navigate corporate spaces and leadership roles—the value of mentorship cannot be overstated. There’s a saying: “Black women are over-mentored and under-sponsored.” While I agree that more sponsorship is needed, access to mentors is also often overstated. Many mentors in positions of power do not share the same gender or race as Black women. This can create barriers, as gender dynamics may complicate mentorship relationships, especially in the wake of the #MeToo movementresearch has shown that some men avoid situations where they are alone with younger women, further limiting mentorship opportunities. Additionally, affinity bias can hinder mentorship opportunities, as people tend to feel more comfortable mentoring those who resemble themselves.Since most people in power do not look like Black women, this makes finding mentors more difficult. Even Black women in positions of power face hypervisibility and often hesitate to mentor young Black women to avoid scrutiny. Despite these challenges, having mentors is crucial at every stage of your career. They can provide guidance, support, and connections that are essential for your growth. Consider filling this role in your “Personal Board of Directors” with individuals who can demystify your professional pathway, challenge your goals, and support you in claiming your space. Your journey matters, and having the right mentors can make all the difference. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 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

Allies in the workplace In the workplace, the importance of having allies cannot be overstated, especially for Black women who often navigate unique challenges due to their intersecting identities. I recently watched the 41st season of “Survivor”, where one of the Black participants, Deshawn, spoke about the burden he felt when faced with the prospect of voting out another Black contestant. His white counterparts reflected sympathetically, admitting they hadn’t considered that additional weight. This mirrors the double bind that Black women often face in the workplace. As both Black and female, they carry additional burdens that often go unrecognised by their colleagues.. Seemingly everyday actions, like voicing a dissenting opinion in a meeting, advocating for themselves, or expressing their boundaries and ambitions, can have far more serious implications than for others. This is why having allies in the workplace is crucial. Black women are often both admired and penalised for speaking up in the workplace. Having allies who can step up in these situations helps reduce the penalties for being vocal. Allies actively support and advocate for colleagues from marginalised or underrepresented groups using their privilege and influence to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and supportive work environment for everyone. Moreover, Allies with more power and privilege can provide crucial protection from workplace bullies and those who seek to exploit or undermine those with less power and privilege. To be effective allies, it’s essential that they listen and educate themselves about the challenges Black women face. True allyship requires action and commitment to fostering an environment where Black women can thrive without the weight of unconscious bias. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 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

Pay parity is still a pressing issue for women, especially women of color and Black women. Even after 20 years, the problem persists. There are still employers to this day who still think like how Oprah’s bosses used to think. It's high time we do away with pay confidentiality. Companies should be able to justify why they pay each employee what they pay them. Women must equip themselves with negotiation and office politics navigation skills to have control over their earnings. It's also crucial to choose employers who value what we bring to the table. Video credit: @ womennsoul #PayParity #GenderEquality #Womenintheworkplace #blackwomenintheworkplace

The CEO of Your Career The traditional career model, where you worked for the same company from graduation until retirement, relying on the company to drive your career progression based on merit and life stages, is a thing of the past. Today’s career landscape demands a different approach, where professionals must think and act like entrepreneurs—or intrapreneurs, as it's often called in the corporate space. We have all become the CEOs of our own "company of one." Your employer is your customer, and you’re offering your talent and expertise in exchange for rewards, which go beyond just a paycheck. That’s why organisations are heavily investing in talent attraction, engagement, and retention strategies—they recognize they’re in a competitive market for top talent. So what does this shift mean for you as a Black woman in the workplace? It means you must take full ownership of your career advancement. You need to understand what it takes to remain competitive in this new marketplace. This starts with identifying your unique value proposition—your personal brand. How are you communicating your UVP in a way that sets you apart in the corporate marketplace? You need a clear strategy for how you will succeed and thrive. And just like any CEO, you also need a personal board of directors—a group of mentors and advisors who will guide, challenge, and hold you accountable for your growth and impact. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 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

South Africa is well represented at the ICABA World Network Black Professionals Month-Oct. 2024 Kickoff event. Jerome Hutchinson, Jr. Nqobile Pamela Xaba Nonkosi Creatives Monde Lot Ndlovu (MBA), (PD) SA Black Management Forum Black Women in the Workplace

New Month, New Pillar: Collaboration. As we begin the new month of October, we're focusing on the seventh and final pillar of the Reimagined Black Women in the Workplace program: ‘Collaboration’. In my work as a coach, I often see a common thread among my clients, many of whom don’t come from privileged backgrounds. They are frequently the first corporate professionals in their families, which means they didn’t have mentors to guide them on what to expect from a corporate career. Even if they did, conversations about workplace dynamics and political savvy are rarely part of their upbringing. We’re often taught by our parents to get an education and work hard—and that’s exactly what we do. This can lead us to work in isolation, accumulating qualifications without the necessary support. This approach may yield initial results but can leave us unprepared for the complexities of career advancement, which is often not solely merit-based. The reality is this: it takes a village to build a successful career. You can’t do it alone. Diverse perspectives, mentorship, and guidance are essential. Decisions about your career will be made when you're not in the room. It’s crucial to ensure that you are well represented by the people ‘in the room’. Just as every village has unwritten rules, corporate environments have their own norms and expectations, often subtle and unique to each organisation. Understanding these dynamics is vital. Your role is to perceive these nuances and be intentional about how you present yourself. Here’s to embracing collaboration as we continue to navigate our careers with intention. Happy October! …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 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

Happy Heritage Day to my South African friends