The debate gets framed as diversity programs versus merit.

Key Takeaways

Look, I need to be direct about something that my professional and personal experience has taught me. We've been having the wrong conversation about meritocracy for decades. The debate gets framed as diversity programs versus merit, but that's a false choice. The real question is whether our supposedly merit-based systems actually measure merit or whether they measure proximity to power, similarly to existing leadership and access to networks and pedigree. I spent over 20 years in executive recruiter, including 10 years co-founding and leading Spencer Stuart's global diversity practice, and I've been inside these conversations at the highest levels. And here's what I know to be true. When companies claim they can't find qualified diverse candidates, what they usually mean is we can't find diverse candidates who went to the same schools we went to, who have the same career trajectories we recognize, who communicate in the same ways we're comfortable with, and on and on. That's not a talent shortage. That's a failure of imagination about what merit looks like. If this is stirring something up for you, I have tools that help. A career map, a community called Awaken Path, and a masterclass on perfectionism that's coming soon. Comment Awaken, and I'll send it to you.