“Make The Boardroom A Fruit Salad”

We all get our inspiration from different places. But in business it is so often from the other people we see and meet during our careers. It is for this reason I created our very first Role Model lists and, several years on, I know for a fact that the hundreds of diverse executives we have featured have inspired thousands of others to achieve their own career goals. Some of these individuals are now themselves appearing on our Future Leaders lists, and will go on to inspire so many others.

It is this kind of momentum and energy we need if we are going to shift the status quo. And the status quo needs shifting. A recent analysis by INvolve revealed that the FTSE 100 has more CEOs called Steve, than ethnic minority CEOs. The situation in the US and many other European countries is just as disappointing. For all the talk we hear about equality, simple facts like this make the need to drive change so clear.

Last night, INvolve opened nominations for our EMpower Ethnic Minority Role Model Lists 2019 at our launch event at Gilead Sciences. At the event, our #1 2018 EMpower Future Leader Role Model, Claudine Adeyemi interviewed our #1 2018 EMpower Executive Role Model, Karen Blackett OBE. Both of these inspirational leaders are not only achieving so much in their own careers, but are also dedicating so much energy into empowering the next generation of ethnic minority leaders.

While their conversation acknowledged many of the obstacles still facing minority groups in business, both were absolutely clear on one thing – celebrate your difference and never compromise on who you really are. Authenticity isn’t just important for you and your own ‘personal brand’, but it is also vital for others to see and appreciate that talent comes with so many different faces.

There is only so long that business can ignore that the world is changing, and a talented, motivated and diverse workforce is the only way to meet the challenges and capitalise on the opportunities of the future – as Karen said last night, make your boardroom like a fruit salad, not a smoothie. Lots of different things, not just one blend of the same thing.

#FruitSaladBoardrooms

So I would like to ask everyone who is reading this to help us show the world the massive amount of ethnic minority talent that is already out there and making a difference. If you are an ethnic minority executive or future leader, then nominate yourself for our EMpower Role Model Lists.

If you know or have been inspired by an ethnic minority leader in business, then nominate them. 

If you know of an executive who isn’t an ethnic minority themselves, but has stood up and been vocal in support of minority talent, then nominate them for our EMpower Advocate Executive List.

After all, this kind of change involves everyone in business – even those that are called Steve.