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Asian Americans In Corporate America:Some Questions & Challenges

ECC Brown Bag

Jim KellySenior Vice President, TDBU

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TopicsTopics Defining DiversityDefining Diversity Statistics on Asian AmericansStatistics on Asian Americans Stereotypes of Asian AmericansStereotypes of Asian Americans Working the Issue from All SidesWorking the Issue from All Sides Emerging ResourcesEmerging Resources

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What is Diversity – What is Diversity – Why Do We Want It?Why Do We Want It?

Definition of Diverse: Definition of Diverse: 11 :: Differing from one another Differing from one another :: unlikeunlike <people with diverse interests><people with diverse interests> 22 :: Composed of distinct or unlike elements or qualities Composed of distinct or unlike elements or qualities <a diverse population><a diverse population>

Synonyms: see Synonyms: see differentdifferent

We often mistake diversity for equality, equal We often mistake diversity for equality, equal opportunity -- or even opportunity -- or even samenesssameness!!

Why is diversity such a good thing for our Why is diversity such a good thing for our Company?Company?

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Harsh Fact: Asian Americans, compared with all other groups, are less likely to rise to management levels

55%

74%65%

111%

67%

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Female White Black Hispanic Asian

Minority Groups

% Chance as compared to National

Average

Comparison of Minority Groups vs. National Average on % Chance to Rise to Management level

National Average

Source: EEOC 2003

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Harsh Fact: Despite high academic achievement and Harsh Fact: Despite high academic achievement and qualifications, Asian Americans’ career and leadership qualifications, Asian Americans’ career and leadership

attainment declines after graduationattainment declines after graduation11

Time

Achievement

Point of Demarcation

Educational Trend

Career/LeadershipTrend Asian

Mainstream

Illustrative

1Source: Cabezas & Kawaguch, 1988; Chen, 2004; Committee 100, 2005; Federal Glass Ceiling Commission, 1995; Kuo, 1979; Landau, 1995; Oyserman & Sakamoto, 1997; Schmid & Nobe, 1965; Tang, 1993; U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 1988, 1992; Wong, 1982; Woo, 2001

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Harsh Fact: Asian Americans have lower leadership Harsh Fact: Asian Americans have lower leadership aspiration and confidence in their leadership abilities aspiration and confidence in their leadership abilities

than Caucasian Americansthan Caucasian Americans

Source: Dr. Sy Research

77

Harsh Fact: Asian Americans are less likely to be Harsh Fact: Asian Americans are less likely to be perceived as prototypical leadersperceived as prototypical leaders

Source: Dr. Sy Research

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NY Times: Report Takes Aim at ‘Model Minority’ NY Times: Report Takes Aim at ‘Model Minority’ Stereotype of Asian-American Students Stereotype of Asian-American Students

Report found:Report found: Contrary to stereotype, most of the bachelor’s degrees that AAs received in Contrary to stereotype, most of the bachelor’s degrees that AAs received in

2003 were in business, management, social sciences or humanities, not in 2003 were in business, management, social sciences or humanities, not in the STEM fields: science, technology, engineering or math. the STEM fields: science, technology, engineering or math.

The report quotes the opening to W. E. B. Du Bois’s 1903 classic “The The report quotes the opening to W. E. B. Du Bois’s 1903 classic “The Souls of Black Folk” — “How does it feel to be a problem?” — and Souls of Black Folk” — “How does it feel to be a problem?” — and says that for AAs, seen as the “good minority that seeks advancement says that for AAs, seen as the “good minority that seeks advancement through quiet diligence in study and work and by not making waves,” through quiet diligence in study and work and by not making waves,” the question is, “How does it feel to be a solution?”the question is, “How does it feel to be a solution?”

The under-representation of Asian-Americans in administrative jobs at The under-representation of Asian-Americans in administrative jobs at colleges. Only 33 of the nation’s college presidents, fewer than 1% are AAs.colleges. Only 33 of the nation’s college presidents, fewer than 1% are AAs.

The image of AAs as a homogeneous group of high achievers taking over the The image of AAs as a homogeneous group of high achievers taking over the campuses of the nation’s most selective colleges came under assault in a campuses of the nation’s most selective colleges came under assault in a report issued by report issued by New York UniversityNew York University, the , the College BoardCollege Board and a commission of and a commission of mostly AA educators and community leaders.mostly AA educators and community leaders.

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What Are Some American What Are Some American Stereotypes About Asians?Stereotypes About Asians?

AA AttributeAA Attribute Perception/OutcomePerception/Outcome““Model Minority”Model Minority” Ignored GroupIgnored Group

Strong work ethicStrong work ethic ““Keep your head down and don’t complain”Keep your head down and don’t complain”

Highly educatedHighly educated ““Can make their own way”Can make their own way”

Quantitative/DetailedQuantitative/Detailed ““Can’t think strategically or creatively”Can’t think strategically or creatively”

QuietQuiet AfraidAfraid

RespectfulRespectful TimidTimid

Team PlayersTeam Players Followers, not leaderFollowers, not leader

Thoughtful VoiceThoughtful Voice IndecisiveIndecisive

Others…Others… …………

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Some Questions…

Why do Asian Americans have lower leadership aspirations and less confidence in their leadership abilities?

Why are Asian Americans not perceived as prototypical leaders?

What can be done to address these issues?

1111

Working the Issues from Both Ends…Working the Issues from Both Ends…

Corporate executives must be sensitized to AA issues, Corporate executives must be sensitized to AA issues, culture and untapped potential culture and untapped potential

““Model Minority” must not be the “Ignored Group”Model Minority” must not be the “Ignored Group” Leadership pipeline must contain AAs…or corporations Leadership pipeline must contain AAs…or corporations

will not have AA leaders!will not have AA leaders! AAs must take personal and collective affirmative steps AAs must take personal and collective affirmative steps

to highlight their issues and develop leadership skills to highlight their issues and develop leadership skills necessary to break through stereotypes necessary to break through stereotypes

Supportive resources must be developed, recognized Supportive resources must be developed, recognized and seizedand seized

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Resources Are Emerging…Resources Are Emerging… AAPA – Asian American Professional Association AAPA – Asian American Professional Association LEAP - Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics LEAP - Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics Ascend (leadership development conference) Ascend (leadership development conference) Apex (Asian Professional Exchange)Apex (Asian Professional Exchange) National Association of Asian American Professionals National Association of Asian American Professionals Asian Women in Business Asian Women in Business Stanford Graduate School Advanced Leadership Stanford Graduate School Advanced Leadership

Program for Emerging Asian American ExecutivesProgram for Emerging Asian American Executives Asia SocietyAsia Society

All and others can be found on the internet!