In Focus/Diversity: Latino leaders can gain insights from black colleagues

In the research that culminated with the book, Leading in Black and White: Working Across the Racial Divide in Corporate America, 6 areas in which the experiences of black leaders differs from those of their white colleagues were discovered. These experiences are also directly relevant to Latino leaders. They are: 1. identity, 2. responsibility, 3. race and gender, 4. networking, 5. mentoring, and 6. political savvy. This combination of stressors or challenges that blacks face over and above their normal job responsibilities is called miasma - a debilitating cloud that disturbs, disrupts, or distorts the work environment. Miasma is created by the introduction of difference into the workplace and the subsequent reaction of the organization. It's important for Latinos to recognize that their African American counterparts can provide valuable insight into minority experiences and challenges and that if Latinos and blacks work together, the opportunities for creating a more accepting workplace are tremendous.