Nothing entirely focuses on the mind, like unemployment. The fear of losing your job and the threat to the security of your family forces people to pay attention. The current four years have tied people into existential knots. COVID-19, insurrection against a free and fair election, the return of inflation, and business leaders forcing people back into office are enough to rub a person's nerves into a raw nub. I feel it and see similar behaviors in many professionals around me. If that is not enough to worry about, Forbes magazine published an article earlier this month, and I feel compelled to talk about it.
The term "woke" has become a loaded term in public discourse. For many, it represents a social movement to be respectful to others and the many variations we encounter. To those with a more right-wing perspective, it is a threat to the values of western civilization. Suppose you genuinely want to understand the history and controversy around the debate. In that case, I strongly recommend Lewis Walter and his video about the subject on his YouTube channel "Then and Now."I look at the controversy, and I scratch my head in puzzlement. As Elvis Costello sang over forty years ago, "What so wrong about peace, love, and understanding."
Forbes magazine pointed out that middle managers at corporations are embracing woke culture to advance in their careers and that there needs to be more study on the subject. There should be more research on the subject, but we should be okay with this trend.
According to Florida General Counsel Ryan Newman, the meaning of woke is "…the belief there are systemic injustices in American society and the need to address them." This quotation seems like an accurate definition, so middle managers are trying to combat injustice in the office one cubical at a time. You will know why if you have spent time in the professional world. The diversity of the workforce is changing, and it is becoming a lighter share of brown. More people from Latin America, the Indian Subcontinent, Korea, China, and the Middle East are joining the workforce. Not only are they recent immigrants but first-generation college graduates who overcame tremendous obstacles to become professionals. I feel a deep kinship with them because while I am a white cisgender straight guy, I was also a first-generation college graduate who became a professional person. I have made it my mission to help others avoid the mistakes I have made in my career.
This kind of diversity is a net benefit for the business. The economy is global, so we need to understand the needs of various people. Can food be sold in Muslim countries because it respects halal dietary restrictions? Green is associated with infidelity and black with darkness in ethnic Chinese communities, so it might be a good idea not to market those car colors in those countries. Finally, software engineers often ignore women because they make up a significant minority. In each of these scenarios having people from a different backgrounds would improve the chance of customer success. It is just smart money to have a diverse workforce.
Companies realized that sexual harassment could be a huge financial and public relations risk after the confirmation hearing of Justice Clarance Thomas. These early efforts also included training on racial, sexual, religious, and generational categories. Over the last thirty years, this movement has been part of being a working professional. Naturally, managers are learning that treating people with dignity and respect is becoming a growing trend.
A more diverse workforce means better delivery of customer value. Being able to lead this kind of workforce is not an optional skill, so we should embrace this trend. I have met plenty of mediocre people in business. Along the way, I have also encountered some toxic and intolerant people. Making the office more "woke" will help remove these people from the work environment. If we want a more sustainable, sane, and satisfying work environment, this is a trend we can all get behind.
Until next time.
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