Navigating Leadership as a Black Woman: The Dual Edge of Accountability

The concept of accountability is undeniably crucial in any leadership role. It serves as the foundation for a responsible and efficient team. While accountability is the backbone of responsible leadership, its dynamics change when, as a leader, efforts to enforce it transform you into an unintended antagonist. This becomes more pronounced when, despite your best intentions, you find yourself victimized by the very accountability you seek to uphold.

Now, imagine adding another layer – you are a black woman leader. The challenges faced by leaders are already complex, and intersectionality amplifies the complexities. Society often casts a different hue on leadership styles based on gender and race, leading to a unique set of challenges for Black women. With what we’ve witnessed in recent weeks, i.e., a campaign utilizing "three primary points of leverage" which lead to the resignation of a distinguished scholar and university president, and the suicide of a university administrator, the struggle for equality, compassion, and empathy is more evident than ever.

As a black woman the journey becomes a delicate balance of asserting authority while navigating preconceived notions. Accountability, when wielded judiciously, can be a force for positive change. However, when it backfires, reflection on the underlying dynamics is essential, especially the ones making the leader the problem or a threat to psychological safety.

Martin Luther King, Jr. famously stated, "The time is always right to do what is right.”

Leadership requires resilience, self-awareness, and clarity of intention. While accountability is judicious, the pathways for marginalized leaders is not straight and smooth. Because of the hazardous terrain, the journey for black women leaders, must focus on being self-assured, courageous, and speaking truth to power. That isn’t always easy, but what should be even harder is second guessing ourselves, or allowing ourselves to be convinced that we are the problem.

I don't have answers, only questions. What needs to happen for talented and accomplished black women leaders to be given the benefit of the doubt? To be given support rather than reprimand? For their value to be recognized and appreciated by the organizations in which they desire to contribute?? Our journey is not just about personal success; it's about paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable leadership experience. "The time is always right to do what is right."

The leadership race is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires endurance, energy, and self-confidence. Click on the link in the comment section to download my e-workbook, "Embracing Bold Authenticity with Confidence" for ideas on building and strengthening your endurance.