LibraryScenariosWhen teams struggle with evolving beyond tokenism
Scenario

When teams struggle with evolving beyond tokenism

Our team hired me as the 'diversity hire' two years ago and everyone knows it, and now I've proven myself and gotten promoted, but I still feel like I have to choose between being seen as the Black team member who represents that perspective or just being seen as a regular team member, and my colleagues seem confused about which version of me they're supposed to interact with.

Juana
Online
The coach is replying

More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

A team member's growth beyond their initial tokenized role is creating uncertainty about authentic identity expression for everyone involved.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with Self-concept and how it forms?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.