“Rock the Boat”: Analyzing Assertiveness as Women of Color in Leadership
Loading...
Author
Mathews, Jennifer
Date
2020
Degree
Graduate Certificate in Women's Leadership
Abstract
While African American women leaders
in the pharmaceutical industry
represent a small percentage of
industry leadership, they are impactful
as contributors to the business.
Research has shown that for
pharmaceutical companies when
diversity is a top leadership priority
where employees feel comfortable
creating, transforming, and being
themselves at work, that women are
four times more likely to rise to senior
management positions. For Black
women it is not just a pipeline issue.
Once in the door, they need to feel
supported and that it is okay to be
assertive without feeling alone or that
trouble is being caused. This is a
journey of the awareness of an African
American woman in leadership in the
pharmaceutical industry after receiving
the Gallup CliftonStrengths. This
woman discovers that she needs to
challenge herself to set boundaries for
her peers to align with responsibilities
and that it is acceptable to advocate for
oneself and be assertive without
feeling guilty when faced with
challenges from Senior Leadership.