DEI and blaming feedback on racism

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking for some genuine advice and perhaps just ranting.

I am someone who definitely believes systemic rasism exists and is pervasive. But I also think it’s being used as a crutch and I don’t know how to reconcile the two.

I am a senior leader at my company. I have to make hard decisions on things, deciding how we move forward with strategy and where we invest. In other words, I have to say no a lot. I always work to explain my decisions and paths to getting to a yes. Most of the time folks are understanding. But in recent months I’ve had three separate times where I’ve had to say no or give feedback to a staff member of color (typically on the senior end of mid level). In each of these cases I’m met with the response that I’m being racist and only say no or taking action or whatever it might be because that staff member is Black. I am very careful to check my biases, and I’m confident that I would make the same decision regardless of who the staff member was given the circumstances. But it doesn’t stop accusations of racism from flying and a true guilt trip to get me to say yes.

I admit I may have more internal bias than I realize but I am confident racism was not at play in these decisions. It is had for me to not feel like I have to tip toe around these staff members for fear of being accused of racism… and that just makes things worse because then I am treating them differently.

I just feel like I’m damned if I do damned if I don’t in this situation.

YOU are confident, that does not mean that you are not. Cold hard reality. Others would have to make this determination, not you.

This. You are using a lot words to say, people of color who work for me have told me I’m coming across as racist, but I’ve determined they’re incorrect.

What you aren’t saying is what resources outside your apparent omniscience you’re bringing to bear to assess this. Are you accepting similar proposals when they’re brought to you by “senior mid level” people who look more like you do? Are you talking it over with your in-house counsel?

[Anonymous]

What is your question? Yes people absolutely abuse DEI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking for some genuine advice and perhaps just ranting.

I am someone who definitely believes systemic rasism exists and is pervasive. But I also think it’s being used as a crutch and I don’t know how to reconcile the two.

I am a senior leader at my company. I have to make hard decisions on things, deciding how we move forward with strategy and where we invest. In other words, I have to say no a lot. I always work to explain my decisions and paths to getting to a yes. Most of the time folks are understanding. But in recent months I’ve had three separate times where I’ve had to say no or give feedback to a staff member of color (typically on the senior end of mid level). In each of these cases I’m met with the response that I’m being racist and only say no or taking action or whatever it might be because that staff member is Black. I am very careful to check my biases, and I’m confident that I would make the same decision regardless of who the staff member was given the circumstances. But it doesn’t stop accusations of racism from flying and a true guilt trip to get me to say yes.

I admit I may have more internal bias than I realize but I am confident racism was not at play in these decisions. It is had for me to not feel like I have to tip toe around these staff members for fear of being accused of racism… and that just makes things worse because then I am treating them differently.

I just feel like I’m damned if I do damned if I don’t in this situation.

What happened when you were guilted into a "Yes"? Did it harm the business?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking for some genuine advice and perhaps just ranting.

I am someone who definitely believes systemic rasism exists and is pervasive. But I also think it’s being used as a crutch and I don’t know how to reconcile the two.

I am a senior leader at my company. I have to make hard decisions on things, deciding how we move forward with strategy and where we invest. In other words, I have to say no a lot. I always work to explain my decisions and paths to getting to a yes. Most of the time folks are understanding. But in recent months I’ve had three separate times where I’ve had to say no or give feedback to a staff member of color (typically on the senior end of mid level). In each of these cases I’m met with the response that I’m being racist and only say no or taking action or whatever it might be because that staff member is Black. I am very careful to check my biases, and I’m confident that I would make the same decision regardless of who the staff member was given the circumstances. But it doesn’t stop accusations of racism from flying and a true guilt trip to get me to say yes.

I admit I may have more internal bias than I realize but I am confident racism was not at play in these decisions. It is had for me to not feel like I have to tip toe around these staff members for fear of being accused of racism… and that just makes things worse because then I am treating them differently.

I just feel like I’m damned if I do damned if I don’t in this situation.

YOU are confident, that does not mean that you are not. Cold hard reality. Others would have to make this determination, not you.

This. You are using a lot words to say, people of color who work for me have told me I’m coming across as racist, but I’ve determined they’re incorrect.

What you aren’t saying is what resources outside your apparent omniscience you’re bringing to bear to assess this. Are you accepting similar proposals when they’re brought to you by “senior mid level” people who look more like you do? Are you talking it over with your in-house counsel?

Oh ok, as long as YOU believe they are incorrect. You really are clueless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking for some genuine advice and perhaps just ranting.

I am someone who definitely believes systemic rasism exists and is pervasive. But I also think it’s being used as a crutch and I don’t know how to reconcile the two.

I am a senior leader at my company. I have to make hard decisions on things, deciding how we move forward with strategy and where we invest. In other words, I have to say no a lot. I always work to explain my decisions and paths to getting to a yes. Most of the time folks are understanding. But in recent months I’ve had three separate times where I’ve had to say no or give feedback to a staff member of color (typically on the senior end of mid level). In each of these cases I’m met with the response that I’m being racist and only say no or taking action or whatever it might be because that staff member is Black. I am very careful to check my biases, and I’m confident that I would make the same decision regardless of who the staff member was given the circumstances. But it doesn’t stop accusations of racism from flying and a true guilt trip to get me to say yes.

I admit I may have more internal bias than I realize but I am confident racism was not at play in these decisions. It is had for me to not feel like I have to tip toe around these staff members for fear of being accused of racism… and that just makes things worse because then I am treating them differently.

I just feel like I’m damned if I do damned if I don’t in this situation.

YOU are confident, that does not mean that you are not. Cold hard reality. Others would have to make this determination, not you.

This. You are using a lot words to say, people of color who work for me have told me I’m coming across as racist, but I’ve determined they’re incorrect.

What you aren’t saying is what resources outside your apparent omniscience you’re bringing to bear to assess this. Are you accepting similar proposals when they’re brought to you by “senior mid level” people who look more like you do? Are you talking it over with your in-house counsel?

Oh ok, as long as YOU believe they are incorrect. You really are clueless.

PP here. Yikes, I misread your response!! Please disregard my response. I am so sorry. I will slow down and read more carefully down the road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is your question? Yes people absolutely abuse DEI.

Interesting. Maybe kind like how WM abused WS back in the day (and to this day)??

[Anonymous]

You need weekly unbiased training