Vote on Desiree Davidson's Story
Were they afraid we were planning a coup d'etat?
I spent my first summer during Columbia Law School at a firm in Philadelphia described as one of the best places in the city for black lawyers. I believed that if there was any place where I would have an equal chance at opportunities, be treated fairly and succeed, this would be it. There were three black female summer associates out of sixty that year but any time all three of us were in an office talking, one of the partners would knock on the door to see how we were doing. It happened too often to be a coincidence that sometimes we would purposely agree to meet in so-and-so's office to test our theory that we were being monitored. Like clock work, ten minutes after we would get together a partner would stop by.
Telecommunications
It was insufficient for me to just be excellent in the performance of my position, it was also necessary to be aligned with a rising star and to test my proposals within the context of the current political climate.
Ethnic minorities tend to manage their environments and nurture supportive relationships
Following my resignation from big corporation, I went to work with several small consulting firms which have allowed me to apply my strategic planning and business development capabilities.
Viewed as an excellent turnaround manager, leader, and developer of people by my direct reports, I was often sought out by aspiring younger managers to work in one of my departments.
I had sought out the coaching and grooming to play the corporate political game; but as a technical marketer, I underestimated the importance of corporate politics until it was too late.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills were required to make the internal sale pitch
In the field of technical marketing within my previous employer, it took strong communication and interpersonal skills, patience and the ability to build broad support before moving forward with a project.
Having been raised in a small blue collar town, I was the first in my family to hold a professional corporate position.
Michael Tanner
I learned to shake hands like a man with a firm grip and to speak louder and with more conviction. In some ways, that experience helped me to become less invisible and more grounded in my own power.
I would have stayed if I didn't have to do the corporate dance. I always felt that promotion was based on how well you could mirror movements of your supervisor and my supervisor and I weren't dancing to the same drummer.
My advice to others is to believe in yourself and go with your intuition if the situation doesn't feel right.
