26: The experience of female leaders of colour in the corporate world - Simi Rayat, Rhonda Williams

In this podcast Leadership Coach, Simi Rayat and Rhonda Williams, CEO of Dream Life Academy share the key challenges that female leaders of colour face and how to best overcome these obstacles.

You can also read the full transcript at: https://social.hays.com/2021/03/04/podcast-26-experience-female-leaders-of-colour-corporate-world/

Related content:

• Four ways women can be braver, bolder and more successful - https://social.hays.com/2017/03/07/four-ways-women-can-be-braver-bolder-and-more-successful/

• How one organisation helps disadvantaged women get back into work - https://social.hays.com/2019/11/05/organisation-helps-disadvantaged-women-work/

• Podcast 19: Why D&I is important right now, and as we enter the new era of work - https://social.hays.com/2020/07/13/why-diversity-important-throughout-covid-crisis/

• When applying for a job, who are more confident – men or women? - https://social.hays.com/2018/08/20/job-confident-men-women/

Timestamps:

(01:02) Please could you introduce yourself to our listeners?

(02:39) Rhonda, what has been your experience of being a woman of colour in the corporate world so far in your career?

(04:33) Has your experience changed during the course of the pandemic and as a result of the Black Lives Matter movement?

(06:06) For those listening who may be of other genders and/or races, how can they go about truly understanding what the unique experiences of women of colour and indeed those of other minorities in their organisations are? What role do organisations have in facilitating this?

(08:53) In 2020, it was reported that of all Fortune 500 CEOs, 1% were black, 2% were Asian, 2% were Latino, and 5% were women. What do you think has led to this and what steps do those at the top need to make to improve these statistics?

(12:31) Many organisations have hired heads of or directors of diversity and inclusion. How important is it that these people have a regular communication to the C-suite?

(14:28) And what do you think are the unique challenges and issues faced by women of colour in the workplace, regardless of role or seniority? What role do leaders and organisations have in helping overcome these?

(21:59) Do you think women of colour in particular feel they can't call out any bias or inequality they may be experiencing in the workplace? And what can employers do to help their employees feel comfortable raising concerns and opening this conversation?

(28:05) How important do you feel sponsorship and mentorship is in helping women of colour progress their careers and helping leaders advocate for this?

(32:59) What role does allyship play in really tackling inequality in the workplace?

(37:36) Many women of colour may feel they're not given the same personal development opportunities as others in the workplace. How can leaders tackle this and remove any bias in these processes?

(39:10) The Black Lives Matter movement has shone a light on the inequalities that exist within their organisations. Which organisations have most impressed you in their response?

(45:29) What do you think are the three qualities that make an inclusive leader?