PROFESSIONAL EDGE with columnist Kim R. Wells, from the WWW.BLACKCOLLEGIAN.COM Career Center

Monday, April 30, 2007

Learning to Work with Your "Peoples"



Over the years I have found that one of the greatest skills of successful Black professionals has been their ability to work as well with other African Americans as they do with professionals from other races. This may sound a little backwards to some of you, but to some, I have just "pulled you out of the closet." The inability of some African American professionals to work well with their own has caused many to miss out on excellent career opportunities, hindered their ability to lead comprehensive initiatives, and created a disconnect for many Black professionals from critical networks, personal support and other resources that could have advanced their careers and businesses.

Like many Black professionals, some of my best and worst experiences have come from working with other Black professionals. I am not convinced by anybody's race that they are the best or worst at what they do--I just want to know if you can step up and deliver. If you can deliver, we can work together, but if you are a messy and inconsistent "bit-ness" person, you can waive your Black business flag all day, I don't want to work with you.

Black professional excellence is at the core of our people's ability to strive and succeed through decades of harsh personal and professional discrimination. As a matter of fact the recent census reports show a 45% jump in African American owned businesses since 1997. We have all also felt a sense of pride seeing the growing list of African American CEOs and senior executives in the private, public and other sectors. So don't hate a brother or sister who is trying to strive for professional excellence, and don't try and question the "Blackness" of others because of their verbage, or because they are not willing to tell you all of their business. Some of you need to stop seeing the workplace (and even school) as a place to make a lot of friends, and need to concentrate more on the business at hand. Work is not high school and if you intend on being successful you will need to examine your own social and professional concepts, and for many of you it will start with how you deal with your own people.


Another issue I have observed over the years has been that some Black professionals don't respect the position or authority of other African American professionals they work with. Don't assume that because a senior person in your organization is Black that you can speak out of term with them. Respect his or her position, accomplishments, and authority, and maybe he or she will work with you as mentor in your career. Getting "too common" with anyone too quickly is usually a sign that you haven't been anywhere, or that you simply aren't ready for prime time as a professional.

Some of you also need to pull down that iron curtain you raise every time you have to work (study) with other African Americans...especially if you have an open door policy for everyone else. As some of the old timers at Howard have shared with me, eventually you will need your own people in life for personal or professional support, don't burn that bridge trying to fit in with some other groups. Some of you don't realize that you are acting like the blind man in the famous Dave Chappelle skit who was a racist and didn't know that he too was Black---when you discriminate against your own you look just as ridiculous.

If you are going to succeed as a young African American professional, you will need to be culturally competent just like everyone else. Don't think you will get away with "color-coding" other Black people to get ahead; instead focus on professional performance and healthy working relationships with all professionals you work with.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Virginia Tech: A Heartbreaking Reminder to Pursue Your Dreams Everyday

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

I would like to encourage you to join me in committing a time of prayer in remembrance of the precious lives lost in this week's heartbreaking tragedy at Virginia Tech.

The senseless act of violence carried out by the deranged perpetrator not only stole the lives of the students, but the precious dreams, talents, and unrealized potential that must now
be buried with them.

We must always remember that tomorrow is never promised. Take a moment, consider the precious talents and dreams you have. Be vigilant in protecting your talent and dreams, and those of others around you--everyday! This world desparately needs you to completely fulfill your life's journey and purpose. ---This is my prayer.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Lessons from Jackie Robinson

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Isn't it ironic that within one week we witnessed the destructive power of irresponsible and mean-spirited behavior from one man, and yet reminded of the heroic behavior of another who faced down the hostilities of racism and went on to change professional sports and some would say our nation.

60 years ago today Mr. Jackie Robinson was the first African American to integrate Major League Baseball. From the first day he stepped on the field Jackie Robinson consistently delivered "Hall of Fame" excellence in the face of what was perhaps the most racist and hostile crowds ever in American sports. Jackie Robinson's courage and excellence on the ball field may have inspired more than just integration of professional baseball, but also the birth of the modern civil rights movement that would soon follow.

Great lessons Jackie Robinson showed us:

Preparation is critical - Jackie Robinson was the first athlete in the history of UCLA to letter in 4 sports.
  1. Get in the game - You can't change the game, and certainly not the world, intimidated on the sidelines.
  2. The best way to silence your critics is with excellence. It's very hard to criticize talented people who deliver.
  3. The power one person has to inspire change through courage, great performance, and professionalism.
  4. Thank you for the great career and life lessons Jackie, they are just as powerful today as they were 60 years ago!
For more information on Jackie Robinson's Hall of Fame career see the following link: http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/robinson

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

A Career Lesson From Don Imus

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

After working for many years in the world of human resources and career development, it still shocks me how some "so-called" professionals like Mr. Don Imus believe they can publicly attack and devalue the dignity, credibility, and accomplishments of young African American achievers.

Maybe Mr. Imus didn't approve of the "hair-styles" of the young ballers from Rutgers, because as we all know Mr. Imus has set the bar pretty high for all of us when it comes to hair styles.

Unfortunately after all has been said and done, Mr. Imus' comments have stolen a precious moment from a talented group of young women who should be celebrating their great run for a national title, but instead are forced to address the ignorance of the misguided Mr. Imus. But let's consider this as a career development lesson for us all. We will call it "The Imus Factor."

I am often told stories by talented African American professionals that have been blind-sided by the "Imus Factor" in the workplace. You probably already know this "factor," it's a sarcastic, mean-spirited, and undermining behavior, often masked in humor and can be directed at you by insecure and intimidated individuals in the workplace.

Some thoughts to consider when you encounter "The Imus Factor":
  • Consider that it has probably been a long time since your "Imus" has won any "big games" themselves, if they ever really won anything at all.
  • Due to your different background, perspective and style, and yes... how you look, most "Imus-types" don't believe you should have ever been "in the game" in the first place.
  • Your successful performance scares your "Imus" who probably struggles with diversity and the thought of competing with you on an equal playing field.
  • Most employers do not support "Imus-types." Once his or her behavior is exposed, most employers will pull their support and eventually show them the door (can you say, "lost clients, sponsors and million dollar law suits").
Don't let your Imus take you out of your game or steal your moment, you are a talented and accomplished performer and have earned your place in the champion's circle. Shut them down by winning the next big game, and enjoy their entertaining "apology tour

Friday, April 6, 2007

BEEP! BEEP! Successful Black Executives Are Calling You to Step Up!

Friday, April 06, 2007

At Howard University we just finished hosting our 2007 Black Executive Exchange Program (commonly referred to as BEEP). The Howard BEEP program is part of a national career and professional development initiative hosted by HBCU institutions and the National Urban League around the country. If you are looking for excellent career strategies, and direct face-time with with top African Americans in the corporate world, than you need to find a BEEP program at an HBCU campus near you!

At the 2007 Howard University BEEP Conference we were dazzled by a riveting series of presentations by the National Urban League, President and CEO, Mr. Marc Morial. The youthful "40-something" Marc Morial, a University of Pennsylvania and Georgetown Law graduate, and former Mayer of New Orleans, is clearly a "New Generation" African American leader who is real, engaging, and has "lived" the issues of the "post-Dr. King" African American generation. Mr. Morial is an excellent role model for any future African American leader. And guess what, Mr. Morial didn't come out of the hip-hop community, or professional sports world...imagine that...somebody like the rest of us mere mortals!

Barack who?...Look out for Mr. Morial to someday stake his claim to the White House. If you are looking for a real road map to professional excellence, see Marc Morial's amazing bio at http://www.nul.org/marchmorial.html.

For more information on the Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP) see: http://www.nul.org/blackexecutiveexchangeprogram.html