Recently, I encountered a Nigerian American couple at a social gathering, and it felt like a homecoming as we bonded over suya and jollof rice. Within five minutes of that encounter, I was relishing homemade chicken puffs with a South Asian friend and trading recipes.
I share that story to highlight the intersectionality that exists within each of us. None of us are one dimensional; we are not just the labels we see and give each other. We need to promote that intersectionality or diversity profile transparently because we need to see others like us—to inspire us, to break barriers, to transcend expectations and to rise higher together as healthcare leaders.
Stereotypes and myths of any kind, particularly related to the “bamboo ceiling,” are my special kryptonite. “Petite Asian woman.” “Must be a math-nerd/doctor/computer-geek because you are Asian.” “Must be the nurse/tech/secretary because you are a brown woman.” “Should be seen and not heard.” “Fly under the radar, work hard, but quietly.” These aren’t just words I have read; these are real lived experiences in healthcare that Asian, Latino and African-American colleagues and I have experienced. In our quest to be strong and move forward, we tend to sweep these stereotypes under the carpet and say, “let’s move on, work hard, show up and don’t worry about the rest.”
As a healthcare leader and an advocate of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, I believe it is our responsibility to pull up that carpet and look for these dust bunnies. However, what exactly can you do as a healthcare leader, whether you’ve experienced them or you’re an ally/friend of someone who likely has? Here are three practical and tangible steps to take, from my perspective.
Find your tribe—because there is strength and peace in numbers.
If you’ve experienced them: Your experiences, positive or negative, are not isolated. Have you heard the saying, “troubles shared are halved, successes shared are doubled?” In a similar concept, find your friends and allies within your professional and personal networks to validate your experiences, but also to guide you with resources and advocacy.
I found mine within my personal network and within ACHE’s diversity programs. As an active member of ACHE of North Texas and ACHE, I discovered my tribe within ACHE’s Career Accelerator Program, Asian Healthcare Leaders Community NTX, and my chapter’s DEI committee and education committee leaders who listened to my experiences, advocated for my voice to be heard, and shared their own stories with me. ACHE is committed to diversity and inclusion and offers several resources such as the Thomas C. Dolan Executive Diversity Program, the Career Accelerator Program, and the Asian Healthcare Leaders and LGBTQ+ Healthcare Leaders communities. Our partners at the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives and the National Association of Health Services Executives also offer tangible opportunities to connect and grow in this area. I highly recommend you deepen your existing friendships in these communities as you embark on this path.
If you’re an ally/friend: Seek out those who are willing and ready to share their stories and give them support. Show up when they are hosting these conversations with an open mind. Connect them to appropriate ACHE, NALHE and NAHSE resources. Be open to gaining their trust slowly, as their experiences may have affected their ability to trust in you easily. In other words, consider how you can become part of their tribe.
Start where you can—every little drop counts.
If you’ve experienced them: Validation or advocacy is about finding your voice and doing something, anything, to make it better for you, for others around you and even for whom you’ve never met. It can be as simple as sharing your story and your intersectionality, sharing data across your organization, hosting conversations with board members, or even mentoring or sponsoring programs to aid others. You do not have to wait for someone else to step up first—your voice may be the kindling that is missing to light a bonfire.
If you’re an ally/friend: Attend a local event on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, or even host one of these conversations in your own team or department to help nurture their advocacy. Consider processes, policies and metrics within your own organization to see if they actively support diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Are they being monitored regularly, are they being shared transparently and are strategic plans aligned with the identified gaps? Seek those willing to speak up, invite them to the table and truly listen to what they are sharing with you. Borrowing a leaf from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, ask these advocates what rules they would break to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and to increase their joy in being a healthcare leader.
Define your voice and stance—and share it.
If you’ve experienced them: I believe in peacefully promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, while others have a much more persistent and vocal voice. One isn’t better than the other. Be sure to identify what works for you, your tribe, your challenges, your organization and your community to define your voice. Be flexible, authentic and improve continuously. Evolve your voice if needed, without judgment.
If you’re an ally/friend: It’s not easy for someone to share their personal experiences, challenge stereotypes or even break cultural barriers. As an ally/friend, your support of their voice and stance is invaluable. In a lot of scenarios and organizations, the voices of those who speak up are left voiceless until an ally/friend speaks up in support. So this is a great opportunity for you to also identify your voice and stance as an ally/friend and share it!
The winds of change aren’t going to clean out those dust bunnies of stereotypes, microaggressions or racism. It requires consistent effort and courage from each of us as healthcare leaders.
Angela Vincent Michael, FACHE, is a member of ACHE’s Asian Healthcare Leaders Community Committee and chair of the Asian Healthcare Leaders Community of NTX, ACHE of North Texas.