ELC and African American Leadership: The Best of Times

A few weeks ago I spoke to Steven Williams, Director of The Executive Leadership Council’s Institute for Leadership Development and Research, who invited me to observe the group’s Mid-Level Manager Symposium in Washington D.C. Since I planned to be in the area for consumer work, I decided to stop by to meet Steven and Brickson Diamond, COO of The ELC.

The Executive Leadership Council is the preeminent member organization for the professional development of global black leaders. Their mission is to increase the number of successful black executives—both domestically and internationally—by adding value to their development, leadership, and philanthropic endeavors throughout the life-cycle of their careers. This value ultimately strengthens their companies, organizations, and communities. Additionally, the ELC’s reach extends to countless educational and leadership entities through grants and scholarships awarded to groups and individuals committed to African American achievement.

I agreed to serve as a subject matter expert for the MLMS product-focused functional dinner, where a table of middle managers from various Fortune 100 companies shared their perspectives on breaking through workplace barriers, building their personal brands, and effectively leading change. This memorable experience would be the first of many over the course of a mere 36 hours. By the end of the Awards Gala celebration the following evening, my head was spinning with insights and opportunities. Since I can’t help myself, I’d like to share a few of those thoughts with all of you.

1. Game-changing African American candidates CAN be found, if you’re looking in the right places.

I found myself in the midst of over a thousand brilliant, experienced, and inspired African American leaders who were driving meaningful progress in their companies and adding significant value to the bottom line. They were CEOs, Directors, and Managers. They were Boomers, X-ers, and Millennials. They were men and women. Surgeons and supply chain leaders. Entertainers and publishers. Artists and business owners. With every encounter, I found more reasons to believe in the talent available to companies seeking high-caliber African American professionals to lead them into the future.

2. The value of a safe harbor should not be underestimated.

On day 2, I observed a series of collaborative presentations by teams of mid-level managers who were assigned to address a real or hypothetical leadership challenge. This exercise was meant to highlight and hone their strategic thinking skills, executive presence, and ability to clearly convey a vision and a plan. I was personally encouraged by every single one of them. They were vibrant, driven, thoughtful, curious, and open. They were experts in their respective functions and dedicated to enhancing their leadership impact. The ELC members and I who provided feedback pulled no punches, and when we later debriefed, we reiterated the importance of giving and receiving honest feedback. Some African American professionals may never hear executives’ honest impressions, but other leaders in the company will, and the stories that circulate—good and bad—can make or break a career. We all need truthful insight into our effectiveness from people who are willing to provide us grace as we learn. I have no doubt the next time these leaders share their ideas in presentation form, they will recall what they heard this week and raise their game. As culturally dynamic as today’s workforce has become, every company would be well served to create a safe place where employees can learn both the written and unwritten rules, and be coached as they grow.

3. We must lift as we climb.

Being among so many successful black leaders is an experiential reminder that we are a force to be reckoned with. Coming together to remind each other of this fact is paramount to our collective progress. I was extraordinarily moved by the number of times I heard this very philosophy reinforced, and equally affected by seeing it in action. These are generous leaders. They were open to sharing their expertise, their experiences, and their most valuable assets within that environment—their connections. We can’t fall into the mental trap that there’s only room for one or very few of us at the top. In an increasingly diverse society, it should be as “normal” to have multiple leaders of color at the top as it is to have multiple white ones. Women and people of color must support each other’s advancement. There’s no justifiable reason to be selfish with our gifts. When we give, we receive. Plain and simple.

4. When you invest in black leaders, you invest in the future.

There were 800 African American mid-level leaders who attended the symposium, and well over 1,000 attendees (of all races, including CEOs at some of America’s Fortune 100 companies) at the Awards Recognition Gala. These weren’t ordinary executives. These were trendsetters in their fields. At dinner, I sat beside a cancer surgeon who is engaged in research that could transform our ability to contend with the disease. I also spent quality time with the female CEO and Founder of Mirror Digital, a growing business that helps companies reach multicultural markets via social and digital channels. And there are many more who are or have been catalysts for change and innovation. They were ahead of the curve within their industries, and brought new and divergent thinking to age-old problems.

I intuitively knew the importance of the above points before I attended the ELC’s events, but being there gave me an unforgettable opportunity to see these truths in action. If you’re an African American leader, I encourage you to explore the Institute for Leadership Development and Research’s programs. If you represent a company that needs to better understand the unique needs and perspectives of African American leaders and you desire to reap the associated benefits, I encourage you to become a partner.

I’ve been around a bit and have seen some pretty cool things, but as I said to a few friends yesterday, this was a “whole ‘nother level”. I highly recommend you find that out for yourself.

Special thanks to Subriana Pierce, Trudy Bourgeois, Regenia Stein, Todd Brown, Ken Wilcox, Maurice Cox, Robbie Solomon, and Cheryl Washington, whose generosity toward me inspired this article.

Interested in your thoughts. Especially if you were present at the MLMS!