THE RUBIK CUBE and the SISTERHOOD

Did you know that there are 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 possible variations to solving the rubik cube. That is 43 quitllion, 252 quadrillion, 3 trillion, 274 billion, 489 million+ variations. (source: www.metacafe.com) These numbers can only be calculated by a super computer, in n-dimensional hyperspace. In other words, the human mind cannot possibly comprehend or grasp the vastness of that challenge.

I believe the same is true of the complex challenges we face when trying to crack or remove the glass ceiling for diverse groups. There are just as many variables. One of the variables that is not given enough attention on our Diversity & Inclusion journey are the glass walls we raise within and between groups. We cannot focus our energy fully on the glass ceiling because we are too busy exercising our attitudes and beliefs towards people in other groups and people in our own group.

It is an open secret that when a woman gets promoted it is often other women who criticize her and question how she got there; perhaps going so far as to say "I don't like to report to a woman". It is perhaps not so well understood that that same phenomena, known as "internalized oppression" is alive and not well in all groups. African Americans, Latinos, Asians, and GLBT all have their own version of this exclusionary behavior. Whether the argument is about the color line or the use of derogatory self deprecating language within the group, all of these factors serve to keep us focused horizontally and not vertically. We are collectively, and albeit unconsciously, colluding in a process that prevents us making more progress. As Willie Lynch told the slave-owners 300 years ago "turn them against themselves and you will have control of them for years to come".

Human Facets consultants have expertise in addressing this complex phenomenon. If you are interested in discussing this further please contact me at the email address listed below. I believe passionately that this is the next frontier. Join me in overcoming it.

FORGET THE GLASS CEILING...at least for now

We have been working on the challenges of breaking the Glass Ceiling for many years and yet, I am sure you would agree, we are still a long way from having achieved our goals.

I want to suggest another frontier that I believe will offer an accelerated route to breaking through the glass ceiling. Remove the GLASS WALLS and the Glass Ceiling will crack faster. If you think about the architectural structure of a building you would normally build the walls first and then add the ceiling/roof. Conversely, if you were to dismantle that building you would take off the roof and then remove the walls. On the other hand, if you wanted faster progress, removing the walls first would certainly bring the ceiling tumbling down faster. Metaphor can only take us so far, but I am sure you catch my drift. We have work to do on the walls we have built between us both within diverse groups and across groups. Read my next blog ..."The Rubik Cube and the Sisterhood" for a roadmap on how to reframe this journey.