Reflections on a black woman’s management learning

Abstract

During the Autumn of 1991 the author became involved in a process of “conscientization” (awakened critical consciousness) as she sought to gain understanding of herself, of other black women managers and the realities of their status and positions in organizations, and UK society at large. The author, a Black British woman manager and educator of Afro‐Caribbean origin, shares her particular reflections on her personal management learning process ‐ a journey towards self‐knowledge and “liberation” unleashing blocked potential. The reflections are primarily intended to provide black managers and professionals ‐ past, present and potential seekers ‐ with a vicarious experience of important challenges encountered; an attempt at “theorizing our experience”. The reflections are also intended for white managers who seek better intercultural understanding and relationships in the workplace. Important challenges included the identification of an appropriate research methodology for researching and understanding the black experience. Outlines the author’s process of identifying strategies for overcoming the fear of addressing and confronting the issues of race and “silence” in the workplace.