walk tall. speak softly. carry a big stick.
so i’ve been in the corporate game, officially, for three years now. i’ve learned some valuable lessons since my first start as an intern to my current position of landing a new job that pays 65k plus.
while i’m definitely not an expert by any means, this guide has always been about frank and honest discussion while empowering the young black professional.
african-americans have always had to wear many hats in the corporate space. it was always an unwritten rule that i had to blend in just enough to not be noticed unless i knew the situation would positively reflect upon me during review time. it is in that sentiment that i offer these words of advice.
- walk tall : never apologize for who you are and the history that is behind your legacy. it is real easy to downplay and sidestep conversations that tend to turn towards race. now, do remember that this line is very fine and that i do not encourage you to constantly engage in debates about race. for me, i enjoy sharing with colleagues that i author a blog anchored to young black professionals and encourage all of my colleagues, regardless of creed, to check it out. i explain how focusing on my demographic feels most familiar to me and how i feel like i’m giving back to my community through it. just because you acknowledge who you are doesn’t mean that you are putting down others. hopefully, we will all become secure enough in ourselves to reach that point.
- speak softly : as a black male, i recognize the stereotypical aura that i project. if i’m not constantly smiling and laughing, a lot of my colleagues assume that something is wrong. when i am on a client site that requires support and patience, this is even more apparent. while i know in the back of mind who i am, sometimes i get more bees with honey than i do vinegar. this means that a smile, softer voice, bigger personal space, and positive demeanor accomplishes my goals and asserts my authority a lot more than a direct, hard-ass approach. you’ve seen it in movies, but having that switch that can go back and forth is a MUST for any african-american professional. no lie.
- carry a big stick : simply put, know your shite. all of the dancing, politic-ing, and shmoozing gets you nowhere at the end of the day, especially if you’re not best friends with the owner. when review time comes or an opportunity presents itself, putting in that extra time to excel is an investment that will payoff ten-fold. you will become the ‘go-to’ person on your team or in your organization. it will become habit-forming and pay-off in any other opportunities you may pursue. most importantly, you will be able to form a solid argument when you want a raise. you can rely on that character trait in many other aspects of your life. put in the hours, ask questions, listen intently, and answer the call when called upon.
i’m sure our friends over at black in business have many other tips, but seeing as how i just went through this process and landed a new gig, i wanted to drop the knowledge.
watch your feet!
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Comment by JD on 7 May 2007:
Congrats on landing an outstanding opportunity.Your advice is sound and should help. It is a shame that we have to be so careful. Networking is another key, make sure you have people to speak with that are postive thinkers.I wish you the best.
Pingback by Young Advice - Black In Business on 8 May 2007:
[...] Young and black at work! [...]
Comment by Paula Neal Mooney on 8 May 2007:
Hey — Over 65K? You’d better go!
And yes, my mother kinda taught me these concepts. I’m glad she did.
It’s funny, some people find my blog by typing in questions like, “Why are black people so loud?”
But every opportunity to teach is good…
Comment by ETS on 8 May 2007:
Congrats on the new job.
The walk tall advice is so important. I come in contact with too many YBPs who take pride in the fact that “they look white” if you just look at their resume (i.e. their name, no involvement in black orgs, etc.). I understand the need to convince an employer that you can do the job given how people of color are discriminated against in hiring decisions, but your ethnicity - and everything else that makes you, you - is an asset and should be used as such, not hidden. It could be the advantage you need to succeed. At the risk of sounding crass, shake whatcho mama gave ya!
Comment by Jim Legington on 10 May 2007:
Congrats again brethren in your new opportunity
to do good in the neighborhood. Please delete
the prior post we were not finished proofing that.
Please Forgive, no error intended, sometimes seeing
this computer screen with One eye You miss beloved.
James Brown is one that motivated me as a young
man singing “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud”
and still is a treasure today.
When You grow up as I did without a earthly Dad
since 12 years old you learn that God really is
Our Father and he is a Father to the fatherless.
You need postive examples that God did supply like
also Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., my own elder
brother Dr. Willie H. Ross, Sr., Muhammad Ali.
Raised on Social Security if You can image then
You know that President John F. Kennedy and
Senator Robert F. Kennedy and many more means
much to me. Yes by the grace of God Almighty
we graduated Paul Quinn College, became a
Fire Fighter In Houston, Texas for 28 years.
I really don’t understand how any human being
can have hatred of another. Being a Fire Fighter
showed me some other valuable lessons about
life and other people are more important than
myself. Yes the bell rings loud. Let’s Roll!
Been practicing learning how to use the internet
Our God allowed in creation for the Word of Life
for seven years now to give glory to God Our Father.
I don’t know everything, but I trust
that Our Lord will supply. Kind Regards!
I’m reading here frequently Fred and linking
from my Blog at “A lad’s Lunch with Favor”
Presenting to some and Introducing to others
“Path of Life Newsletter-FaithWorks”
Be Blessed always!
Comment by The_individual on 23 September 2008:
This is good information. I can agree with the above statements. I have worked in the Information tech filed and it's the same way across the board with us.
The Individual, Calm Hill