When Leadership Matters Vol 2 2025 New - Flipbook - Page 26
Robert Britten
often-overlooked aspect of growth, we aim to spark
conversations and inspire change towards a more inclusive
and equitable environment to work, live, and play.
In this section, we uncover the origins of the concept of
professionalism and examine how dominant cultural
norms and values have shaped it. These norms and values
directly impact how we see others and what opportunities
we afford them based on those norms. We inherently have
a desire to do things that make us feel comfortable and not
upset the apple cart, so to speak. That is especially true
when hiring, selecting individuals for advancement,
lending money, and even providing access. We must
challenge the notion that professionalism is a neutral
standard and explore how it can inadvertently exclude and
marginalize individuals from historically
underrepresented communities.
People of color are held to these “white” idealized
ways of being professional. You must be clean-shaven,
have no visible tattoos, wear a suit and tie, and be
articulate. Women are told to be quiet and “cute,” wear a
dress or a skirt and be quiet while men are talking. Well,
what about the person who wears dreadlocks in their hair,
