When Leadership Matters Vol 2 2025 New - Flipbook - Page 28
Robert Britten
Identity also plays a significant role in how
professionalism is perceived and experienced. When the
lens we use is rooted in judgement, it clouds our
perspective, perception, and our sense of normality. It
leads us to what makes us comfortable, thereby the path of
least resistance. As we delve into the intersectionality of
race, gender, and other social identities, as well as how
these intersections influence one's professional
opportunities and success, we must also consider what has
shaped our own deeply held beliefs around identity and
take inventory of what and who is around us. It is
important to explore the unique challenges faced by
individuals who do not conform to the traditional
professional archetype and what ways we have
contributed to the norms that shape our personal decisionmaking.
Despite claims of meritocracy, bias and discrimination
persist in professional environments, and we must be
careful as leaders not to fall prey to the perceptions of
culture that may marginalize individuals who should be
given an opportunity. Leaders should always keep an open
mind regarding how microaggressions and subtle forms of
