Whose vulnerability is allowed in the workplace?
In a discussion with a coaching client, she told me about a situation at work where the leadership called an open forum to air the employees’ concerns so that they could respond honestly to those concerns.
While attempting to air her grievances she was overcome by emotions and cried. She worries that this may have created a perception about her incompetence as a potential leader.
This is a classic example of an organisation that creates spaces that calls for courageous conversations while their cultures that have not done the work to create safe spaces for marginalised people who already have to deal with an ‘inherent’ competence bias.
It is cruel to invite your employees to be vulnerable when you have not created a psychologically safe space to hold their vulnerability. You are further marginalising them in your attempt to create an inclusive environment. Organisation need to do better and marginalised people have to unfortunately look out for themselves and prioritise their safety in these types environments.
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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
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