Unveiled: Breaking Barriers
Empowering First-Generation Leaders Through Sponsorship
The term "first-generation" in a professional context refers to individuals who are pioneers within their families and communities, achieving significant milestones in education, leadership, or success in various fields. These leaders often face unique challenges arising from limited access to resources, unfamiliar corporate landscapes, and cultural disparities. In this context, it becomes crucial to recognize and address the obstacles first-generation leaders encounter in their career progression.
Why Your Story Matters…
As leaders, it's crucial to recognize the challenges faced by "firsts." First-generation leaders encounter unique cultural barriers stemming from differences in upbringing, values, and experiences. Recognizing these stories helps us to delve into the cultural scripts that shape diverse experiences in the corporate world. Acknowledging these challenges is vital, and sponsors play a key role in enabling first-generation leaders to overcome these barriers.
Share Your Story of Transformation!
We invite you to share your story of when a mentor, sponsor, or advocate believed in your potential when others might have hesitated. If you helped someone to thrive by being part of that support system for them, share what sparked your attention to notice their potential.
Your narrative could be a beacon of inspiration for others navigating paths to break barriers as the ‘first generation’.
Use the hashtag #StoriesUnveiled and let's build on the power of transformation.
Why is this important?
We need to get to the core of why behaviors are different, and we need to familiarize ourselves with the various cultural scripts that come with being underrepresented in corporations. That’s why it is just as important to acknowledge the challenges faced by first-generation leaders and to highlight the tangible actions of sponsorship can enable them to overcome those barriers.
The Role of a Sponsor: What does Good look like?
A sponsor can play the critical role of ensuring a great, and equitable, experience for navigating the corporate environment for FGPs. Here are 3 tips for sponsors looking to champion first generation professionals:
Sponsors can actively connect people to diverse support networks, creating opportunities for career advancement, mentorship and community-building.
Sponsors can provide insights and guidance on navigating corporate structures, helping FGPs understand and adapt to hierarchical norms.
Sponsors can advocate for inclusive leadership styles, recognizing and valuing diverse approaches to assertiveness.
It is also important to note that workplace demographics are shifting and many employees in the United States today fit the description of a first-generation leader:
The American Immigration Council report “New American Fortune 500 in 2022: The Largest American Companies and Their Immigrant Roots” found that 43.8% of Fortune 500 companies were started by first generation Americans.
A 2012 White House report states that immigrants are 30 percent more likely to start a business in the US than non-immigrants & form 18 percent of all US small business owners. Immigrants added $2 trillion to the US. GDP in 2016 & about $460 billion to state, local and federal taxes in 2018. And this is only for the immigrant dimension of first-generation.
In a 2019 survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau first-generation professionals indicated not having mentorship or orientation on how to navigate office culture as one of the top challenges of FGPs . The majority of the survey participants did not come from households with role models and mentors to orient them to the corporate workplace environment. They described being left to their own mechanisms to learn office culture and career path navigation while on the job, resulting in periods of adjustment to a professional work environment that initially felt foreign and uncomfortable.
First-generation leaders are crafting new norms, succeeding in environments where they might not seem to fit. They become the role models within their communities, inspiring others by demonstrating that it IS possible to succeed and thrive despite the lack of familial or social precedence in leadership positions. They often navigate their careers with determination, resilience, and a strong drive to create paths for themselves and for those who come after them.
By taking tangible actions to bridge the gaps, sponsors contribute to creating an environment where first-generation leaders can thrive, break cycles, and motivate others in their communities. Organizations typically promote programs such as bias training and initiatives that facilitate equality in hiring practice; but, are we doing enough to understand the unique differences of multi-dimensional underrepresented communities? And, what else can we do to help break the cycles and co-create a new cultural script?
By sharing your story, you contribute to a collective understanding of the transformative power of sponsorship. Let's explore together how we can enable first-generation leaders to uplift others as they rise. Join the conversation and share your story with #StoriesUnveiled—because your journey is a catalyst for change!
‘Tis the season to give! We hope you consider us for making a tax-deductible donation this year. As a ‘thank you’, all donations of $10 or more by December 15th will be entered into a chance to win a gift! Donations in $50s will be entered multiple times!
Got questions on sponsorship for career advancement? Let us know in the comments!
Author Credit: Wanda Shoer is a senior executive, strategist, and thought leader in the healthcare industry. She is a value based, driven leader, committed to empowering and supporting others on their career journey. Wanda is a proud Latina of Dominican descent and lives in NJ with her loving husband and two children.