When we think of the term “leader”, some common words pop into our heads: Extroverted. Charismatic. Powerful. Bold. Driven. All of which are fantastic characteristics to hold. However, not everyone holds them and, typically, some groups of people benefit from this ideal more than others.
We see this everywhere, in businesses, in politics, in movies and entertainment. The constant exposer to only one prototype of what a leader looks like has become ingrained in our minds. For me, a common image that pops into my mind when I envision a leader is a wealthy, white, educated, cisgender man. This image is accurate to a certain degree, since it represents massive majority of folks who hold leadership roles. However, it does not represent the population they lead.
Growing up with a lack of representation of your identities in the leadership field deters folks with marginalized identities from viewing themselves as leaders. This feeds people to believe they were just not “born a leader” and will never become one.
This schema is immensely harmful as it perpetuates the lack of equity in leadership positions.
We commonly see that males are more encouraged by society to take up space in a room compared to a non-male identifying person who are made to feel small and take up little space. Non-male identifying folks are pressured by societal norms to be petite and fragile. When they do take up space, they are deemed bossy while their male counterpart receives praise for his outspokenness. This only heightens itself when the non-male identifying person holds another marginalized identity.
In American culture, People of Color (POC), specifically Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) hold far less leadership roles compared to white female. While a white male may be told he is passionate and a go-getter, in the same situation, a POC may be seen as being overly aggressive.
Society tells us to actively conform to these norms and then directly turns down folks for acting in the same way as the “traditional” leader. We are all born with unique identities and qualities that shape how we experience the world. How can one type of person represent and lead us all?
A leader is not born looking a certain way. Leaders can be anyone from anywhere with any background. Our identities shape how we perceive and interact with the world, giving us all beautifully unique strengths that make us true leaders.
The Holden Center for Leadership and Community Engagement works to empower all folks apart of the UO community and beyond to view themselves as leaders in their own lives and within their communities. Acknowledging that your identity and your lived experiences brings you strength and an individuality that no one else can bring to the table.
by Ellie Cairns, Junior, CliftonStrengths Consultant
