The disconnect with Asian Americans
May marks Asian American Pacific Heritage Islander Month! It is a time to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and societal contributions of #asianamericans hailing from across the Asian continent as well as the Pacific Islands like Polynesia. It is a time to acknowledge the struggles and challenges that these communities have faced and continue to face, and to honor their resilience and perseverance…and let’s not forget the delicious food from these areas!
In all seriousness, in the business world, I’d like to specifically highlight the disconnect between the PERCEPTION of Asian Americans being successful and the REALITY that this population faces with inequitable representation and lack of advancement into senior positions. The diagram here showing details around this disparity was published by my former employer, #mckinsey, in an interesting paper on Asian Americans in the workforce. As you can see in the diagram, Asian women experience the greatest drop in representation at senior levels.
As a leadership coach working with many women Asian clients, and as a woman of South Asian descent, I found the research fascinating and disturbing. They state that “these challenges are pervasive, particularly for people with intersectional identities: our research shows that gender, immigration status, and ethnicity all play a role in creating obstacles.”
Luckily, the paper also outlines some practical ways corporate leaders can better support Asian American workers. I only hope more companies and leaders use some of these tactics to further the Federal Asian Pacific American Council’s theme for 2023: Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity.
Another trap many fall into is viewing the Asian American population as a single unvarying group. In reality, this group is not only ethnically diverse, but varies by generational proximity to their country of birth, which influences a range of behaviors and beliefs.
This month reminds us of the importance of diversity and inclusion, and the value of embracing different perspectives and experiences. Let us use this month as an opportunity to learn, grow, and celebrate the unique and beautiful tapestry of our nation, especially the Asian American Pacific Islanders.
Reply to the email below if you would like a copy of the report, "Asian American workers: Diverse outcomes and hidden challenges."
Warmly,
Bijal
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Bijal Choksi, MA, CHPC, ACC