The Model Black: How Black British Leaders Succeed in Organisations and Why It Matters

Description

This book is for anyone who wants to understand what being more inclusive at work means, especially as it relates to black leaders. It is intended for those people who are saying "I don't know where to start," "I don't know what to do" and "I don't know what to say" when understanding and talking about race at work. Based on candid interviews with 30 successful black leaders, it peels away the multifaceted layers of black British leaders in organisations to offer a new way of thinking about the black British experience. This book provides the insights and ideas required to have positive conversations about race at work and to create work environments where black leaders can thrive. In identifying the attributes and behaviours that successful black leaders have in common, this book offers new ways of thinking about black people at work that help to further inclusion. It shines a light on the daily reality of being a black leader in the workplace, providing an alternative entry point for conversations around inclusion and explores what individuals and organisations can do to increase inclusion in the workplace. Through first-hand stories this book explores the challenges, compromises, struggles and successes that black people encounter, and the range of strategies they employ to achieve success as they navigate the "white" workplace. It is essential reading for business leaders in the private, public and third sector, human resources professionals, students, anyone teaching or mentoring black students or leaders and everyone interested in understanding race and furthering inclusion in the workplace. Cover Half Title Endrosement Title Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgements About the author Abbreviations Introduction Owning my identity as a black British leader Why I wrote this book Written for white readers, embraced by black leaders Please call me "black" We are not all black or white Black British leaders: private, varied, yet similar The business case for inclusion How this book is structured Section 1 How we got here 1 "Anywhere except the meat counter" Learning to need to navigate race at work The SCAN: how black people navigate race in the moment A good time to be black in the British workplace? Talking about race: filling the silence Successfully navigating race at work 2 "Girls like you ..." Teacher expectations: a headwind for Aspirers and Drivers Home life: a tailwind for all Resilience: an important tailwind for Aspirers Identity: a tailwind for Deservers and Risers Versatility: A tailwind for Aspirers, Drivers Economic, social and cultural capital: Aspirers navigating the headwind of being both black and working class 3 "This is the queue for business class" Introducing the Jolt The "overt" stranger Jolt The "covert" stranger Jolt The close colleague Jolt The mistaken identity Jolt The "failed to get promotion" Jolt The "there isn't a problem" Jolt Section 2 How we get on 4 "You fit in well here": The Model Black The profile of the Model Black ... knows who they are ... has cultural capital ... knows how to respond to white fragility ... is part of a strong, reliable black community ... is strategic about their career ... is emotionally intelligent ... understands their broader responsibility ... accepts they have to perform better to be equal ... needs to be resilient "Weathering" and the Model Black Racial tropes and the Model Black leader Apprehension around the black male body The black female as obedient carer The black leader as unintelligent and lazy The black female as sexually available Model Black behaviours: a response to the tropes 5 "You are not one of the loud ones" The Model Black: the new trope How black leaders be the Model Black Squaring How do I come across? Squaring through assimilation Squaring by covering Squaring by avoiding affiliation Squaring by avoiding association 6 "You are not chippy" Self-silencing at work To speak or not to speak? Assume positive intent Strategy 1: "Suck it up" Strategy 2: Deal with it in the moment Strategy 3: The informal complaint Strategy 4: The formal complaint 7 "You have such a lovely, welcoming smile" Softening and the Model Black Softening black masculinity The Sensitivity Quotient (SQ) Softening anger Softening power Softening intellect and achievement The Model Black matters Section 3 How we will get there 8 "Treat me the same; value my difference" Working it out with Carry How to do it differently: the individual level Educate yourself Understand white fragility Recognise and leverage your advantages Build a relationship based on mutual curiosity Know what behaviour might not be okay ... and then "call it out" or "call it in" Stay OPEN: challenging racism in the moment Developing inclusive leaders From "doing" different to "being" different Consequential transitions 9 "We all want equity - don't we?" Best practice: understand what DOES work Use best practices in recruitment, retention and promotion Do not ignore the power of bias in the organisation Understand the "black tax" Do not assume a quid pro quo Allow me to bring more of myself to work And please see - and respond to - my colour! Be OPEN as an organisation 10 Beyond the Model Black? Coming out as black Millennials: a different workplace experience? The Model Black is still alive and kicking! Greater comfort with talking about race at work - but challenges remain Companies are trying harder - but there is still a lot of subtle unpleasantness They understand how to leverage their blackness No more Model Black? Vision for the future: The Middle Black? Ten things to consider now that you have read this book Index