Black and Accomplished

There was a task that needed to be done. A white male SVP was scouring the office looking for the right "expert" to execute. Funny enough, I ran the division, as a VP,  who could handle the task he was looking to execute, but for some strange reason, he didn't think to come to me first. Instead he went to 3-4 other people in the office asking for their help. What did they all do? Each and every one directed him to me. Reluctantly, he dropped into my office, no appointment and unannounced, and just started talking. No "hey, do you have a minute?" or "Is this a good time?", because I couldn't possibly be doing anything more important than what he had to offer. 

So, being the bigger person, I obliged. He launched into his problem and as I started to offer solutions he looked at me perplexed. You see, he wanted me to do the work FOR him. I made it very clear that I am happy to give him counsel, but I have my own work to do, so he will need to handle his own project. 

Unimpressed with my answer he began to question my pedigree. Poking around my past. How does this black girl feel she has the right to tell me what and how to do something, let alone the expertise to solve his problem.

I like games, so I decided to play along. Over the course of this part degrading, part vindicating conversation, other employees (superiors and junior staff) popped in to ask for guidance and approval on their projects and problems (apparently it still wasn't enough to validate my experience).

As I continued to stand in front of the firing squad, I became more bullet proof with each questions asked. Until I got to an undeniable (at least in his eyes) source that he felt validated my existence.

You see, he felt I needed to prove myself to him before he could take me seriously. The truth is, he isn't the first and he certainly won't be the last white man that I have and will encounter who will consider me less than.

I got the last laugh, because I was the only person in the office who knew how to execute on his initiative. Guess who ended up with the credit (It was me).

You see, sometimes it isn't worth the fight. When you know you are accomplished and you know your stuff, it will work out in your favor.

***disclaimer, this isn't always the case, but in corporate America, you have to learn to pick your battles and manipulate the game to your advantage.

Author: Anonymous