Shades of Success

April 17, 2009: The Day of Silence

Have you ever been bullied, taunted or harassed by others? Most of us have in one way or another. Whether in school or at work, we have either been the witness, perpetrator or recipient of someone's mean comments or actions. Sometimes it make have been a subtle comment or a blank stare. Other times it may have been a more explicit action like an insult.

Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover could not take the bullying anymore. The eleven-year-old boy hung himself last week. The Day of Silence is an effort to create awareness about the bullying, harassment, name-calling and violence that students see and face in our schools. Consider participating tomorrow and help raise awareness by remaining silent as much as you can throughout the day. Say a prayer for Carl and his family. Click on the banner above or go to http://www.dayofsilence.org/index.cfm to learn about other ways to lend your support.

Lessons from the Obama Victory

Wow.  What an election night.  Even our ten-month baby boy knew that something was happening.  He would not go to sleep until the election results were in!

To watch the video of Obama's speech on election night click here.  To read his remarks on election night click here.

All jokes aside, regardless of where your political inclinations fall, here are my personal take-aways from Obama's victory:

1.  Victory (or success) is always a collective effort.  Obama could not have done it without the armies of people who contributed in every small and large way to his election.  Similarly, we need to rely on others (colleagues, friends, partners) to achieve goals.  Do you know who your allies are?

2. Focus is necessary to succeed.  Obama remained focused on discussing issues (yes, there were negative ads around, etc.).  When instigated to get personal during debates, Obama did not give in.  He took the high road.  It is so easy to get sidetracked by unexpected circumstances and lose track of our ultimate goal.  Let's not.  When faced with challenges that threaten to alter our course, ask yourself:  What do I want to accomplish?  How can I get back on track? Who can help me get there? 

Reflections on the World Diversity Leadership Summit

Early June hundreds of senior corporate, non-profit and higher education leaders, along with government officials and diversity practitioners, gathered at the United Nations headquarters in New York City to share best practices and establish a global diversity collaboration network.  Speakers included CEOs from Adecco, the Jackie Robinson Foundation, MGM Mirage, HSBC among others and Bud Selig, the Commissioner of Major League Baseball.

Below are quotes that capture key messages from the conference:

• "Diversity is getting the mix and inclusion is making the mix work." Andrés Tapia, Chief Diversity Officer, Hewitt Associates.
• "A sound global diversity strategy encompasses three constituencies: employees, suppliers and customers." Douglas Freeman, CEO Virtcom Consulting
• "[There are two approaches about diversity] one says this is the way we do things and we have to fit this [diversity]in it; or what is the bottom line and what do we have to do or change to get there." Nikki Cicerani, Managing Director, Upwardly Global.

True Power is Shared Power

It resembled a huge family reunion. Latin rhythms filled the air with joy.  Adults from all ages, races, and professional backgrounds chatted and laughed.  And everyone waited in anticipation for the main attraction.

There was plenty to celebrate.  The Partnership Inc., a talent management organization based in Boston had reached its 20 year milestone.  Other milestones took place that night:  $1.2 million were raised and 1,000 people gathered to honor Diane Patrick, the First Lady of Massachusetts.

By grooming professionals of all backgrounds for leadership positions, The Partnership is creating a power platform that will elevate the visibility and value of the minority professional in Boston and beyond.  Three cheers to you, The Partnership!

Live...from the United Nations

"We need business to give practical meaning and reach to the values and principles that connect cultures and people everywhere." Ban Ki-moon Secretary General of the United Nations

I am writing from Conference Room 4 at the United Nations where I am attending a two-day conference on global diversity.  It has been a phenomenal experience to learn and exchange best practices with professionals from the U.S. and all over the world. To see people from as far as Ghana, Brazil and the Czech Republic gather to discuss the challenges and opportunities that the changing demographics bring to business, government and the non-profit sectors has been fascinating.

To learn about how the United Nations Global Compact Initiative and their ten principles to foster and achieve global diversity around the world go to http://www.unglobalcompact.org.

Stay tuned for later postings from my experience at the United Nations.

New Voices for Boston: A Leadership Exchange

The scene resembled a regular after-work networking event with its usual elements:  a handshake, a business card exchange and a bee line for the food table.  But there was nothing ordinary about the people in the room.

Ninety percent of the people in the room were, according to community leader Hubie Jones (holding microphone, far right), the "new leaders of Boston." These men and women have shown the motivation and desire to participate in leadership training programs to become more effective change agents in their communities and organizations.  The remaining ten percent were representatives from the various programs, from UMass Boston Emerging Leaders Program, to The Partnership, to LEAD Boston among others.

Why meet then if training has already happened? Because "we need to hear your voices," said Jones referring to the need to create an accessible environment for the next generation of leaders to reach the sources of power and influence. "I have been doing this for fifty years and I need to bring in others to carry the torch." Jones challenged the group to "have a personal program to get to a different place." In other words, use the tools learned during training to do something sustainable that has impact--big or small--in their immediate environment.

The event brought together Boston professionals from all races, ethnicities, ages and industries. Four panelists addressed the audience:  Eduardo Tobón from Sovereign Bank, Candelaria Silva from ACT- Roxbury, Liz Callanan from The Math Works, Inc. and Ron Bell from the Governor's Public Liaison Office.

Collaboration, ongoing learning and support, and community building were topics that dominated the panel discussion and informal conversations throughout the evening. Among this crowd, leadership is a lifestyle that is inclusive, evolutionary and relational.

Questions to ponder:

• What does leadership mean to you?
• Do you see yourself as a leader?
• Do you know what your leadership style is?

Living a Hyphenated Life

Diversity training and cross-cultural awareness are two of the most popular ways to address workplace dynamics given the changing workforce demographics in the U.S. These efforts deal with issues at the organizational level so that changes occur in a systematic fashion. 

Have you considered, however, the type of change this approach creates at the individual, personal level?  It gives birth to a hyphenated identity.  In terms of race and ethnicity, we become Hispanic-American, African-American, Jewish-American, Armenian-American, Irish-American, etc, etc. You could mix and match any other label and create many combinations based on political affiliation, sexual orientation, age, gender and any other type of differentiation you could identify in a group of people.

How does having a hyphenated identity help us become better professionals? I do not have a straight answer.   Some say it facilitates the creation of stereotypes. Others claim it helps define and cement our identities.

The way I see it, having a hyphenated identity is like owning a hammer. You can use it to hit someone in the head or you can use it to hang a picture.  It is all up to you.

For more on race, ethnicity and the changing face of America, go to:

http://www.gonewz.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=70&cntnt01origid=15&cntnt01returnid=15

Happy Birthday, Dr. King!

For the past twenty-something years, I have spent every January 15th singing, humming or dancing to the tune of Stevie Wonder's  'Happy Birthday.'

It was a cold January evening about 20 years ago, when I saw Steve Wonder in concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.  He performed 'Happy Birthday' as his last song and asked the audience to honor the legacy of Dr. King by continuing to sing as we exited the hall. 

As the crowd walked slowly through the hallways towards the main exit, you could hear them sing in unison: 'Haappyyy birthdaaay, happy birthday, happy birthday.' I could barely sing. I merely watched as others were transformed by the power of a song.  Some shed a few tears and others embraced while singing. New Yorkers and tourists alike gathered to see a show and emerged as brothers and sisters bonded by the memory of Dr. King.

Happy birthday to you, Dr. King!

First Timers, Trail Blazers and Role Models

What do Deval Patrick and Nancy Pelosi have in common?  They are both trail blazers.  On January 4, Deval Patrick became the first African-American to be elected Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  He is the second African-American in the United States to be elected to this office. On the same day, Nancy Pelosi became the first woman Speaker of United States House of Representatives. As Speaker, she is third in line of succession to the presidency.

These accomplishments have catapulted Pelosi and Patrick to the international limelight.  Closer to home, they have been elevated to role model status by many who relate to either or both of them.  Pelosi raised five children and was a stay-at-home mom until her youngest child was college bound.  Patrick grew up in one of Chicago's toughest neighbordhoods. 

As we witness these unprecedented events in the history of the United States, let's reflect on the lessons we can draw from them:

• Who are the role models in your life? Why?
• How are you blazing trails in your family, in your community, in the workplace? Are you the first to graduate from college? Have a "professional job?" Leave your hometown for better opportunities?
• What are the rewards and challenges of being the 'first' to accomplish a milestone?

Washington D.C. Recognizes the Power of a Diverse America

Five hundred gathered at The Mayflower Hotel in Washington D.C. on November 14, 2006 to honor the work of ethnic journalists during the First Annual New America Media Awards.   Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton welcomed the group and acknowledged the emerging influence that ethnic media has in mainstream America.  "Ethnic media represent the way the new Washington needs to connect to the new America." Clinton said.

Why should we pay attention to this event?

Putting political views aside, this event reminds us that workforce diversity is impacting all industries not only Fortune 100 companies.  Ethnic media outlets give voice to a diverse America, a new America.  They cover stories that fly below the radar of mainstream media.  According to a 2005 study conducted by Bendixen & Associates, 63.8 million Americans fall under the category of "ethnic." These are our colleagues, business partners, students and services workers.

Questions to ponder:

• Where do I fit in the new America?
• How am I preparing professionally to manage, work with or interact with new Americans?