Why Companies Should Invest in Leadership Training
When leadership sucks, everyone suffers…
Bad managers are scaring great employees away with their lack of empathy, inequitable practices, and insufficient leadership training. Professionals aren’t settling for less anymore, impressive benefits and “cool” job titles aren’t enough to keep them in a harmful work environment that is short of career advancement opportunities and support.
It’s time that companies address why they can’t keep their talent for long and commit to creating a workplace that is more transparent, inclusive, equitable, wellness-centered, and safe.
Data shows that women and BIPOC employees are more likely to quit due to a lack of support in career advancement, well-being, and inclusion. Managers play a huge role in facilitating those things by giving helpful feedback, helping them manage their workload, and showing interest in their professional goals (e.g.: becoming future leaders).
There’s a leadership and opportunity gap for BIPOC professionals
Equal Pay Days throughout the year serve as proof that racial and pay inequity still exists for historically marginalized communities. In addition to that, data shows that there is also a leadership and opportunity gap for BIPOC women in the workplace.
“The biggest obstacle women face on the path to senior leadership is at the first step up to manager. For every 100 men promoted from entry level to manager, only 87 women are promoted, and only 82 women of color are promoted.” (Women in the Workplace 2022 report, McKinsey)
In other words, the leadership and the pay gap is an opportunity gap. Some of our communities simply don’t have access to the resources, education, network, and opportunities they need to grow and elevate their careers.
Leaders need support and resources to succeed
Although some people have “natural leadership qualities”, the act of leadership is a set of skills that needs to be practiced, nurtured, and supported. “Compared to men at their level, women leaders do more to support employee well-being and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion—work that dramatically improves retention and employee satisfaction, but is not formally rewarded in most companies.” (Women in the Workplace 2022 report, McKinsey)
With this additional emotional labor, there are too many women of color leaders who are being overworked and under-recognized, eventually leading to burnout.
Here are some other challenges that women of color leaders face that need to be addressed:
Microaggressions that undermine their authority and expertise which leads to being passed over for promotions
Being appointed to additional volunteer work (like DEI initiatives and ERG groups) without compensation
Lack of opportunities to advance and unclear steps toward career advancement
Unmanageable workloads, lack of autonomy/micromanaged, and interrupted time off
Investing in leadership training and development is a win/win for both the employer and the employee. Especially in today’s climate, where remote and hybrid work is becoming more common, it’s important that leaders are being trained to meet the new demands of the workforce.
How Real You Leadership’s leadership training services can help
Helping company leaders create meaningful behavioral change in order to center and elevate their BIPOC employees is our zone of brilliance. Through our unique workshops, intensives, and coaching programs, we empower leaders and companies to show up authentically to create equitable and inclusive spaces.
We’ve recently worked with co-founders of a WOC-owned business to create effective feedback loops, design a healthy, collaborative work relationship, and mindset coaching to overcome inner blocks and fears that stop managers from having critical conversations with their teams. (aka having those difficult, but necessary talks)
We serve as a guide and co-creator in the work dynamic you desire and need to thrive, we’re there to support you and your leadership team in developing your vision and bringing it to life.
Here’s what co-creating with the Real You Leadership could look like:
Booking one of our signature workshops with topics ranging from navigating feedback loops to creating psychological safety in teams
Hiring us to facilitate half-day or full-day intensives so your team can integrate the coaching lessons, mindset, and strategies in real-time
Sponsoring your BIPOC women employees’ enrollment in our group coaching program
Sponsoring group coaching cohorts for your BIPOC and marginalized team members for their career and leadership development
Investing in private leadership coaching sessions to focus on specific areas of relationship building, mindset coaching, and leadership training
Marketing Strategist & Career Coaching Content Writer
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