Ideas worth spreading

The workplace, redefined by women of color

1,614,131 views |

Deepa Purushothaman |

TED Membership

• March 2022

Corporate inclusion visionary Deepa Purushothaman shares how women of color can advocate for themselves in workplace settings where they are undervalued, discriminated against and overlooked -- and how companies can foster working cultures that empower everyone to achieve success. (This conversation, hosted by TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers, was part of an exclusive TED Membership event. Visit ted.com/membership to become a TED Member.)

Corporate inclusion visionary Deepa Purushothaman shares how women of color can advocate for themselves in workplace settings where they are undervalued, discriminated against and overlooked -- and how companies can foster working cultures that empower everyone to achieve success. (This conversation, hosted by TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers, was part of an exclusive TED Membership event. Visit ted.com/membership to become a TED Member.)

Learn more about real solutions for women of color or join our community of women of color.

Learn more about This Same Sky and Sofiya Deva's work with global artisans.

About the speaker

Deepa Purushothaman

Deepa Purushothaman

Author, corporate inclusion visionary

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Deepa Purushothaman challenges and redefines the status quo of leadership success and power, centering the needs and experiences of women of color and unveiling inclusion biases in corporate structures.

Deepa Purushothaman, Deborah M. Kolb, Hanna Riley Bowles and Valerie Purdie-Greenaway | Harvard Business Review, 2022 | Article

"Negotiating as a Woman of Color"

Negotiating should be seen as a tool to overcome barriers and solve problems; however, many women of color (WOC) view it as a privilege and often overlook the leverage they have available to them. What can WOC do if they feel cornered into saying yes or feel guilty saying no when what’s being asked of them is not in their best interest?

Deepa Purushothaman and Lisen Stromberg | Harvard Business Review, 2022 | Article

"Leaders, Stop Rewarding Toxic Rock Stars"

“Toxic rock stars,” or bullies who evade consequences because they deliver results, can ruin the workplace experience for most employees, but they’re particularly harmful to women of color.

Minda Harts | Seal Press, 2021 | Book

Right Within: How to Heal from Racial Trauma in the Workplace

Right Within offers strategies for women of color to speak up during racialized moments with managers and clients, work through past triggers they may not even know still cause pain, and reframe past career disappointments as opportunities to grow into a new path.

Ruchika Tulshyan‎ | The MIT Press, 2022 | Book

Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work

Inclusion doesn’t just happen; we have to work at it. Inclusion On Purpose presents inclusion best practices, showing how leaders and organizations can meaningfully promote inclusion and diversity.

nFormation | Explore

PowHER Redefined

This research is the truth for women of color at work. It is the research paper that we reference in our TED Talk. We captured the voices of 1,500+ WOC on why current corporate systems fail to enable WOC to reach their full potential.

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Learn more about real solutions for women of color or join our community of women of color.

Learn more about This Same Sky and Sofiya Deva's work with global artisans.