Tech Women of Color in Europe

by | Sep 9, 2024 | Trainings and Workshops | 0 comments

Tech Women of Color in Europe face unique challenges, including systemic barriers and biases that extend beyond gender diversity issues.

Listen to the voice in this 2 minute description. What picture does your mind create for this person?

How this person has covered in their work, and experiencing Acts Of Inclusion?


 

Patterns of Experience: Covering

Patterns of Experience refer to the recurring challenges or advantages that individuals
from different groups encounter throughout their personal and professional lives.

 

Covering is the behavior of downplaying or hiding aspects of one’s identity to fit into a workplace culture. It often means people feel pressured to minimize their needs or abilities to appear more “normal”.

For women of color, this can mean minimizing their ethnic background, opinions, or even work style to align with the majority group.

While covering may seem like a protective measure, it creates stress and prevents individuals from fully contributing their unique perspectives to the organization.

Danielle,  reflects on how covering has shaped her work life. “I’ve never fully shown up as myself in a professional setting,” she shares. “I’m almost always the only person of color in the room.”

She also notes how being American can offer a slight privilege, but it doesn’t change the immediate judgment based on her appearance. “Before I even speak, I’m already assessed by my skin color.”

 

 

Acts of Inclusion: 

An Act of Inclusion is any gesture or behavior that you can use to invite and welcome a person
(and their perspectives) into your environment.

 

It’s more than hiring the “lonely only” diverse talent. Create space for more diverse voices. Danielle’s experience shows that diverse talent are looking for respresentation in their work environment.

 

 


 

What Leaders Can Do to Interrupt The Bias 

  • Lead Effectively: Educate Yourself on Bias
    Don’t leave it to others to fill the gaps. Invest a little time in understanding implicit bias and systemic inequality. It’s crucial for being an effective leader.

 

  • Lead by Example: Demonstrate Acts of Inclusion. .

 

 

 


Conclusion

Tech’s women of color in Europe are isolated in their work spaces.  Many leaders are unaware of the covering their employees feel pressured to adopt. There are missed opportunities in these situations.

Hear more voices from the Diverse Talent Mastermind series.

Learn more about the Inclusive Hiring Clinic.

Schedule a call with us

 

 

 

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