See.
A recent report from the Washington Area Women’s Foundation came to a (not so) shocking conclusion: an increasing number of Black women don’t trust their workplace leadership.
According to the report, reasons for this distrust include “a lack of robust pipelines for younger leaders; daunting obstacles, such as navigating unrealistic expectations, microaggressions, and unacknowledged efforts; [and] limited opportunities to display vulnerability in their workplaces without their leadership authority being undermined.”
While the report offers calls to action to support Black women, the actions sound more like self-help tips politely telling us to “get over” our trust issues.
When Black women have unlimited receipts proving how devalued we are across industries, how can we trust anyone? Our caution isn’t a flaw — it’s protection.
As we move forward in this turbulent work climate, I encourage us to trust our skills, education, and lived experience, more than we trust leadership with a track record of playing in our faces.
Use discernment as leverage when interviewing, reviewing offers, or stepping into new roles. Tap your network for the real tea behind the polished job descriptions. Ask about culture, work-life balance, and how leadership responds in times of crisis — all the truths you won’t find on a company website.
Not everyone has your best interests at heart. Doubt will tell you, “You’re paranoid. If you pass this up, you’ll never find better.”
Challenge that voice. If you’re wrong, the worst case is waiting a little longer. If you’re right, you’ve avoided disaster.
In my career, the times I got burned were the times I ignored my instincts. Black women’s ability to see through the bullshit, is a superpower.
A superpower that accelerates our rise.