Скачать или смотреть The BIPOC Manager #51 – Getting Over the 'Diversity Label'

Something that many minority professionals face is being seen ONLY through the lens of diversity.

This when the only role they serve is to be the “diversity hire” or the “diversity voice” around the table.

What does that sound like?

“We think your background would add diversity to our team.”
“It’s great that we’re getting more diverse voices at the table”
“You’re a good fit for helping us connect with underrepresented communities”

Diversity is great, but it’s frustrating when that becomes your only label or way for people to interact with you.

I experienced it when I was asked to contribute to an organization’s revenue strategy. When I shared some insights, I was told that I should let other professionals handle that, and I should keep my comments focused on connecting with Muslim and Indian communities (which I am part of).

Ignoring the statements didn’t help, because it pushed me further into the corner of being “the diverse” person. Getting flustered or defensive didn’t help me either because how do you explain to someone that you’re sometimes tired of dealing with what is a very obvious part of your identity.

It took me some time to realize that no one said what they said from a bad place. It was actually a positive thing they were saying that they valued my diversity and what I could bring. But I knew I could bring more than just my diversity to the conversation.

Through trial and error, here’s what I figured is the best way to handle this.

Step 1: Acknowledge the statement without dismissing it
Why: This allows you to show you’re aware of diversity’s importance while keeping the conversation professional and respectful.
Example: “Thank you for recognizing the importance of diversity at your organization.”

Step 2: Reframe the focus toward your skills and contributions
Why: This step is crucial because it moves the focus away from your identity and back to your qualifications. It also highlights what you’ve accomplished or are capable of achieving in the role.
Example: “I’d love to highlight how my digital marketing experience increased revenue at my last role.”

Step 3: Redirect to future action or impact
Why: This positions you as a results-oriented professional who’s there to make a difference based on your abilities, not just your background.
Example: “I’m excited to leverage my expertise to help grow this team’s impact.”

This way you’re seen for your full value—not just your background.

If you're interested in learning more, I highly recommend Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. It's about a man who feels invisible in society because of his race.