Rethinking Privilege: A Leader's Journey to Self-Awareness

I've always considered myself aware of social issues. However, my recent experience with a privilege walk activity completely transformed my perspective on privilege and its role in our professional lives.

The Journey Begins

My journey started with a @Factor DEI book study of "What If I Say The Wrong Thing?" by @Verna A. Myers. A chart on page 3, titled "Historically Advantaged and Disadvantaged," caught my attention. It listed 11 types of "isms" or oppressions. To my surprise, I found myself in the "One-Up" (advantaged) category for 7 out of 11 variables. This was eye-opening, but it was just the beginning.

The Privilege Walk: A Moment of Truth

The real paradigm shift came during our Factor Privilege Walk. For those unfamiliar, a Privilege Walk is a powerful exercise where participants:

1. Line up side-by-side across a room
2. Listen to statements about various forms of privilege
3. Step forward or backward based on their experiences
4. Reflect on their final positions and what they represent

As we progressed through the activity, I found myself moving forward more often than not. When we finished, I was shocked to find myself fourth in line among all participants. The realization hit me like a tidal wave – I had significantly more privilege than I had ever acknowledged.

From Denial to Responsibility

This experience fundamentally altered my perception. I went from believing I wasn't "privileged" and that others held more power, to questioning what I should do with the privilege I clearly possess. The shift was profound:

• Before: I associated privilege primarily with "white male privilege."
• After: Now I recognize the multifaceted nature of privilege and my place within it, I see that it includes attributes like being white, straight, Christian, middle class, U.S.-born, English-speaking, and able-bodied. All these things I use to define myself, but I didn't previously see them as advantages.

The Path Forward

As leaders, we have a responsibility to understand our privilege and use it to create positive change. Here are some key takeaways from my experience:

• Self-reflection is crucial: Regularly examine your own biases and advantages.?

?? I recommend doing a book study with your team and conducting your own Privilege Walk. It might change your perspective, but I guarantee that you'll learn more about your team beyond their delivery which is key to building relationships and strong team dynamics.

• Education is ongoing: Seek out resources and experiences that challenge your perspectives.?

?? At Factor, we've engaged DEI consultants who speak into our organization and give us tools to continue our growth.

• Use privilege responsibly: Look for ways to amplify underrepresented voices and create opportunities for others.?

?? Prior to this exercise, I thought I'd been doing this in my current and past jobs. However, I realize now that I had an extremely narrow view on whose voice I amplified and created opportunities for. This isn’t uncommon; we focus on what we know and what our experiences have taught us.?

?? In my case, my focus was on women and people of color. Now I see the world differently and realize the focus needs to include other variables such as sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, immigration, education, and ableism.? Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t perfectly figured this out for myself, but now I’m aware of my biases.

• Foster inclusive environments: Implement policies and practices that promote equity in your organization.?

?? After the summer pause, we at Factor are rebooting our DEI efforts. I don't know what it will entail yet, but the reboot will be team-led and executive-sponsored, and I get to be a participant. I'm looking forward to continuing to have the opportunity to dig into my own biases and engage with the Factor team on what DEI means to us.?

I encourage all professionals, especially those in leadership positions, to engage in similar exercises. Understanding our privilege is the first step toward creating more inclusive and equitable workplaces.

What are your thoughts on privilege in the professional world? How can we use our positions to drive positive change? I'd love to hear your perspectives and experiences in the comments below.

#Factor #InclusiveWorkplace? #Privilege