From Ghettos to Corporate Sanctums: A Caste Lens on Leadership

Abstract

Previous research on leadership diversity has generated rich insights on the benefits of diversity to organizations, but the challenges in achieving such diversity, particularly in understudied contexts are relatively less known. In this paper, we examine the challenges faced by low-caste managers in India, compared to others, in reaching leadership positions in their careers. Our qualitative study of senior managers revealed that family background, availability of role models, and formative opportunities influence the differential approaches that individuals from marginalized and privileged groups bring to their corporate careers. Further, low-caste managers find lower opportunities for advancement, fewer mentors, and experience difficulties in developing and leveraging professional and social networks, even when they attempt to hide their caste identity. These findings have important implications to research on leadership diversity and inequality, as well as to the unique challenges organizations face in achieving diversity along caste lines.