Recognizing Racial Stereotypes and Their Impact on the Workplace

Carmen Van Kerckhove Co-Founder and President New Demographic is an anti-racism training company. www.newdemographic.com

What we’re discussing today Common racial stereotypes Why positive stereotypes are just as harmful How racial stereotypes can impact client relations Your clients and employees are becoming more diverse – can you adapt?

Common racial stereotypes

Why positive stereotypes are just as harmful

How racial stereotypes can impact client relations

Your clients and employees are becoming more diverse – can you adapt?

Racial stereotypes are all around us. There’s no way not to be affected by them.

Stereotypes: Success and Intelligence

Stereotypes: Success and Intelligence

Stereotypes: Physical and Athletic

Stereotypes: Personality

Stereotypes: Personality

Why positive stereotypes are harmful Can result in a “halo effect”

Can result in a “halo effect”

Why positive stereotypes are harmful Can result in a “halo effect” Can lead to pigeonholing

Can result in a “halo effect”

Can lead to pigeonholing

Why positive stereotypes are harmful Can result in a “halo effect” Can lead to pigeonholing Can adversely impact employee morale and motivation

Can result in a “halo effect”

Can lead to pigeonholing

Can adversely impact employee morale and motivation

How racial stereotypes can impact your external relationships Anecdote 1: “You look just like…”

How racial stereotypes can impact your external relationships Anecdote 1: “You look just like…” Anecdote 2: Thanksgiving

It doesn’t matter what your intentions are. It’s how your words and actions are perceived by others.

Your clients and employees are becoming more diverse. Can you adapt?

Today: whites comprise 68%

In 2050, half of U.S. will be people of color

By 2050, the numbers of Asian-Americans and Latinos will triple

By 2026, boom in mixed race population 25% of Los Angeles’s population 20% of New York’s population 1 in 6 babies born will be of two or more races

25% of Los Angeles’s population

20% of New York’s population

1 in 6 babies born will be of two or more races

Your clients and employees are becoming more diverse. Can you adapt?

Questions to consider Assumptions?

Assumptions?

Questions to consider Assumptions? Race in the workplace?

Assumptions?

Race in the workplace?

Questions to consider Assumptions? Race in the workplace? Client’s attitude towards diversity?

Assumptions?

Race in the workplace?

Client’s attitude towards diversity?

Racial stereotypes are all around us. There’s no way not to be affected by them. But you can challenge these stereotypes.