Whether you are a middle manager aiming for executive leadership or a seasoned healthcare executive navigating new challenges, rising above bias demands strategy and resilience. As corporate environments shift away from inclusive progress, self-advocacy and strategic leadership have never been more critical. Women of color must intentionally claim their space to drive meaningful change.
Here are 7 key strategies to help you break through barriers, advocate for yourself, and create the career you deserve.
1. Own Your Expertise and Leadership Value
You must own your expertise and leadership value to avoid being underestimated or overlooked. Keep track of your achievements, collect positive feedback, and highlight measurable successes in a success journal. This will help with reviews and to remind you of your value when negotiating or moments of self-doubt. Position yourself as a thought leader by speaking up in meetings and contributing to industry conversations.
2. Cultivate a Strong Support Network
Bias navigation is not a solo journey. Build a network of mentors, sponsors, and allies who understand your challenges and can advocate for you in key decision-making spaces. Seek out affinity groups (within and outside of your organization), leadership forums, and executive coaching programs that provide community, guidance, and career advancement strategies.
3. Set Boundaries and Prioritize Well-Being
Healthcare is a demanding field, and as a woman of color, the pressure to overperform can lead to burnout. You know the saying we all heard: “work twice as hard.” That twice as hard is not sustainable. Work-life integration is essential. Set boundaries around your time, delegate responsibilities, and make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine. Real success requires sustained well-being.
4. Address Bias with Confidence and Strategy
Implicit, explicit, unconscious biases can affect performance reviews, hiring decisions, and leadership opportunities. Bias must be addressed strategically using a combination of awareness, advocacy, and action. Use data and performance metrics to demonstrate your value objectively to advocate for yourself in evaluations and promotions. Compare feedback, pay, and opportunities with colleagues to identify disparities. Engage in direct, constructive conversations when you encounter microaggressions or exclusionary practices using calm, fact-based responses (e.g., “Can you clarify what skills I need for advancement?”). Understand your company’s policies on discrimination and be prepared to advocate for systemic change if necessary.
5. Develop Executive Presence and Influence
Your leadership impact extends beyond your title. Executive presence, meaning how you communicate, lead meetings, and inspire confidence can elevate your influence. Work on communicating with clarity and conviction. If you doubt yourself, others will doubt you too. Position yourself as a strategic thinker and problem solver.
6. Leverage Executive Coaching for Career Advancement
Executive coaching can be transformative in helping you navigate bias, develop leadership skills, and advance in your career. Look for certified coaches with a whole person coaching approach to ensure that your career success aligns with your personal well-being. Time spent with a good executive coach can help you break through self-limiting beliefs, refine your leadership strategy, and create a sustainable career path.
7. Redefine Success on Your Terms
Take the time to define success on your own terms. What does fulfillment look like for you? Whether it’s achieving a specific leadership role, making an impact in health equity, or balancing career and family, align your professional aspirations with your personal values.
Final Thoughts
Rising above bias requires confidence, strategy, and a strong support system. As DEI initiatives face resistance and organizations shift focus, it is important for women of color to advocate for themselves, build their leadership brand, and create opportunities on their own terms. By owning your expertise, setting boundaries, leveraging advocacy tools, and embracing a whole-person approach to leadership, you can break through barriers and thrive in your career.
As you continue your leadership journey, remember: You belong in every room you step into. Your voice matters. Your leadership is needed.
Are you ready to take the next step in your leadership journey? Explore executive coaching opportunities designed specifically for women of color in healthcare.