Recently a highly accomplished person who I very much admire, was “knocked down” by an abrupt and shocking act of gender and racial discrimination.
This person is on the forefront of a new business venture. This fledgling company with substantial financial potential requires capitalization from major investors.
My friend took this position a few years ago, based on a professional relationship with the founding investor. She built a team of brave colleagues over this period of time and they have worked very hard, against challenging odds in a difficult industry!
They all left lucrative positions to build something they believe in.
They pitched to numerous investors and finally found one that was:
- ready,
- willing,
- and able to help the company reach it’s next level.
My friend was proud and I was awestruck by this major accomplishment.
After this major “win,” several weeks passed. Paperwork and strategy were being pulled together.
The investors grew silent and stopped responding to my friend and her team.
Then suddenly, a message came from the potential investors to the company founder and board members …”we don’t have confidence in the leadership, we will only invest when she is replaced.”
Not only do they require her to be replaced (a woman of color) but also the only other person of color on the team (an Asian male – a trailblazer in this industry) was also to be replaced.
The messages being “we want someone more seasoned” (regarding the CEO) and we need a more “effective communicator” (regarding the trailblazer).
Additionally, another colleague (a white male), who by all accounts was hired based primarily on his failures to perform his duties effectively in the founder’s other company, and a desire by the founding investor to move him out of the way but keep him employed) was also included in this request to be “replaced” by the potential investors.
The founding investor of this company made the immediate decision to recommend “suitable” replacements. All four potential replacement CEO’s are white males. All four were found to be acceptable by the potential investors.
I am aware that many who read this might suggest that me and my friend are jumping to conclusions! How can we know the motivation? How can we know the intent?
I say the outcome is the same. Two minorities of accomplishment in their field with outstanding career accomplishments are not afforded the opportunity that others are given without even seeking.
The results are the same regardless of the motivation or intent.
- My friend was knocked down;
- is being removed from a well-earned and much deserved position;
- and the suggested replacements have the race and gender that matches what the potential investors recognize as “proven and capable” leaders.
While I know she has the to courage and the will to “get up,” it still stings!
There are biases that exist in each of us. We have a responsibility to support and nurture
- gender,
- racial,
- sexuality,
- national origin
- religious,
- and age diversity.
There were no women among the investment group. There are no women on the company board.
Perhaps among a more diverse group of people, someone would have spoken up?
I don’t know what the future holds for my friend. But what I do know is that:
- it is her talent,
- integrity,
- and character that will lead her to something even better than what was shattered.
I know that she is determined to do work that matters… to make a difference in the world.
I know that few things matter as much as how we stand up when we are knocked down!
I know that eventually anything built on a foundation as weak as the personal and professional values on display by those investors and the founding investor and board… will not yield its full potential!
What will you do if you are knocked down?
I hope you will get up, shake it off, and never be deterred by those who doubt you are equipped!
Copyright © 2015 Ruby Blow. All rights reserved.
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