Study Reveals Cycle Of High Risk, Low Reward

Black women continue to face an uphill battle in their pursuit of leadership roles within American organizations, study by the National Library of Medicine has found.

Despite efforts in diversity and inclusion, race and gender biases persist, hindering their progress and creating a cycle of unachieved aspirations.

Struggles facing Black women leaders

For Black women, the intersection of race and gender biases leads to “intersectional invisibility” where their contributions are often overlooked. This forces them to take greater career risks to advance.

An analysis of leadership rhetoric data spanning 200 years reveals a pattern: Black female leaders have been grappling with the same issues for generations. 

High-risk career moves often fail to yield the desired outcomes, leading to burnout, job dissatisfaction, and even decisions to leave the workforce altogether.

Furthermore, the focus on risk-taking can sometimes result in Black women being perceived as too aggressive or ambitious, further alienating them from opportunities for advancement.

Fostering an inclusive leadership culture

The study suggests that organizations should move from just improving outcomes for specific groups to fostering an inclusive leadership culture.

Creating positive experiences for future female leaders is crucial to break the cycle of high-risk career moves that don’t yield proportional rewards.

Focusing on cultural transformation can reduce racial and gender biases, leading to more equitable leadership opportunities.

Feature Image Credit: Geoffrey Marshall