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When Your Heroes Let You Down
When someone we admire disappoints us, it’s tempting to reach for an extreme reaction. Either defend them at all costs or condemn them entirely. But growing older (and wiser) usually asks something harder of us than either response. It asks for discernment. This is not an argument against heroes or role models. Human beings need…
37 out of 500 is better but not nearly enough: Representation of women CEOs who lead Fortune 500 companies must continue to climb
This year, a record 37 companies on the Fortune 500 list are led by women CEOs. Even at this record high, women CEOs only represent 7.4% of these 500 companies.
I believe any progress toward equality is good — dismantling years of misogyny in the workplace won’t come overnight — but when talking about strides in diversity, it’s important to look at the bigger picture, and be aware of how far we’ve really come.
Minority Health Month
As we continue to navigate the multiple complexities brought about through the COVID-19 global pandemic, we are shown the dedication and care of our selfless healthcare professionals, but also reminded of the unfortunate reality that health disparities still exist.
For example, half of those diagnosed with COVID-19 in the Chicago area are African-American, while this demographic makes up only a third of the city’s overall population. In Louisiana, 32% of the state is composed of African-Americans, while they accounted for nearly 70% of deaths related to the illness. Other reports indicate that COVID-19 is disproportionately impacting Hispanic communities as well. Hispanics in Oregon account for 22% of total COVID-19 cases but make up 13% of that state’s population. In New York City, Hispanics make up 34% of deaths while only accounting for 29% of the city population. These disproportionate rates among diverse populations boil down to past and present inequalities, lack of access to healthcare, and other social determinants of health.
Celebrated every April, Minority Health Month is a time to raise awareness of health disparities that affect diverse racial and ethnic populations on a national scale. This year, the Office of Minority Health has partnered with the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion for the “Move Your Way” campaign to highlight the advantages of living an active lifestyle to promote and enhance emotional wellness.
Rising Above COVID-19
November 17, 2019 marks the date of China’s first confirmed COVID-19 case. Four months later, the Coronavirus has become a global outbreak. As the world continually adapts to the developments of the Coronavirus, we must remember that even though most of us feel unsafe, isolated, and worried, we are facing this threat together. As a community, we will survive the uncertainty, illness, and financial distress caused by this pandemic. We have done it before and we will do it again — we will rise above COVID-19.
Time’s Up: Engaging Men in Gender Inclusion
While most will not admit it aloud, men feel blamed and often deemed responsible for the inequality women experience across society. It is no secret that women face uphill battles in advancing to corporate leadership positions, receiving equal pay, and being given similar opportunities as men in virtually all industry settings. And in reality, men, whether intentionally or subconsciously, are a part of the problem by enabling the ongoing systemic power structure that is interdependent and interlinked throughout societies. Simply put, male privilege is real. And as Feminism, Me Too, and other gender inclusion movements continue to spark a changing of the guard, men can make a choice to become a part of the solution instead.
Organizational Grit: The Foundation For Perseverance & Sustained Success
In Corporate America, those who have reached the highest levels of success are the ones who are not content with being average. The ones who avoid complacency, holding a deep-rooted desire to improve themselves in all aspects of life. Oftentimes, they’ve turned their passion into a profession, and remain committed despite multiple challenges, obstacles or required sacrifices that arise over time.
In essence, they are in love with the process. Not just the results.
Understanding Generation Z In the Workplace
A new generation of workers is upon us.
It’s time to meet Generation Z, the nearly 61 million individuals born between 1997 and 2012, who are entering our workforce at a rapid rate, bringing with them an entirely new set of skills, values, ideas, priorities and traits to the workplace. Don’t feel like you know this generation well? Consider, that by the end of 2019, Gen Z is expected to overtake Millennials as the largest generation in the world. It may come as a surprise, but a majority of Millennials are now young adults, some as old as 38, who are well established in their professional careers. At UPMC, Millenials make up 46% of our workforce, while Gen Z accounts for nearly 7%. Though each year, the make-up of these two generations at work continues to grow.