International development organizations tout their commitment to diversity and inclusion as core to their mission, seeking to bridge lines of geography and difference. And yet, too many organizations are stuck in a single leadership archetype trap, leading to missed diversity gains and talent flight that compromise this agenda.
“Speak up more.” Early in my career, this is what I consistently wrote in performance reviews. As an Asian woman, I struggled to do that. I’d rehearse words in my head and then try to find a respectful moment to interject — but having a tendency to wait too long between comments, due to my cultural values, I usually missed my opportunity.
My parents were immigrants to the United States, and I was raised with traditional Japanese values: honoring elders, listening intently, displaying humility, and not calling attention to myself. Those values served me well in school, where I was seen as a model student. In the workplace, however, my quiet, reflective nature prevented me from being seen as a leader.
Read the full article on Devex, originally published March 16, 2021.
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