Beyond Skin Color: Why Value and Mindset Speak Louder at Work

-

 



Yesterday, I had a long and emotional chat with an African friend of mine. He was bitterly complaining about how things are at his workplace. According to him, promotions only seem to favor Asians and European, while Africans are often ignored. He felt overlooked, unappreciated, and was already considering resigning because of this.

I truly understood his frustration, but I also felt the need to share a different perspective with him.

1. Understanding Luck, System, and Destiny

The first thing I told him was that in life and in career growth, there’s always a mix of system, timing, value, and luck. Sometimes it’s not only about racism it’s about how the system works, what the company values at that moment, and whether opportunities align with your timing.

In fact, the very same company he was complaining about has Africans who started their careers as waiters and have risen all the way to managerial levels. That reality alone shows that while bias can exist, it doesn’t automatically mean every door is closed. Growth is possible it just requires resilience, visibility, and sometimes the right break at the right time.

I shared my own story with him as an example. My first and second managerial roles before moving to the UAE were handed over to me by an Asians boss and a British boss. Later, my move to the UAE itself was facilitated by an Asian woman who believed in me, saw my potential, and gave me a platform.

Even today, I have 6 to 7 African friends here in the UAE who are thriving as HR Managers, L&D Managers, and Restaurant Managers. If racism alone defined workplace outcomes, how are they achieving these leadership positions?

2. Shifting the Mindset

The real danger, I told my friend, is not just external bias it’s the internal mindset we carry. If we constantly repeat to ourselves, “they don’t like me because of my color”, we start to see rejection even in places where there are genuine opportunities. That mindset can blind us to the chances we could otherwise grab.

Yes, discrimination exists. That is a reality we can’t completely deny. But when we keep holding onto it as the primary reason for every career setback, we unintentionally limit our own growth.

The truth is: value speaks louder than color.

  • Build your worth.

  • Sharpen your skills.

  • Carry yourself with confidence.

  • Create a presence so strong that no system can ignore you.

As Africans and as professionals in general we must rise above the victim mindset. Let’s focus on our value, our resilience, and our destiny. Because in the end, opportunities may not always be evenly distributed, but with the right mindset, we can still write our own success story.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Painful Reality of Life: When the Rain Stops, the Umbrella Becomes a Burden

-
Image
Life often teaches us some of its harshest lessons through the simplest of metaphors. Consider the umbrella, a faithful companion during a storm. It shelters us, keeps us dry, and provides comfort against the elements. But once the rain ceases, that very umbrella, so crucial moments ago, becomes a cumbersome burden. This transition captures a painful truth about loyalty and human relationships: when the benefits cease, so too does the loyalty. In our lives, many people flock to us not for who we are but for the value we bring and the benefits they can derive from us. They thrive on the opportunities, support, and advantages we offer. As long as we are useful, as long as we can provide shelter from life's storms, we are cherished and needed. But when the rain stops—when the benefits diminish—these same people often disappear, leaving us to ponder the true nature of our connections. This realization can be incredibly disheartening. We yearn for genuine relationships, for loyalty that...
Read more

Who’s Worth the Pain

-
Image
  The truth is everybody is going to hurt you at some point. No matter how much love, loyalty, or effort you give, people are human, and humans make mistakes. They’ll disappoint you, misunderstand you, and sometimes even break your heart. Your best friend might forget to show up when you need them most. A partner you trusted might say something that cuts deep. A family member might not understand your dreams, and their words might sting more than they realize. But that’s not the point of life or love. The real question is: who is worth suffering for? Because some people come into your life and leave behind scars, while others leave behind lessons. Some take from you and walk away, leaving you emptier than before. But a few, a precious few will stay. Even after the arguments, the distance, and the silence… they’ll come back. They’ll own their flaws. They’ll apologize, not because they have to, but because they care enough to try again. They’ll remind you that love isn’t perfe...
Read more

Welcome to Nigeria, Where Opinions Come with Expiry Dates

-
Image
As I was reading the comments about Tuface Idibia and Natasha, I honestly had to pause and ask myself: What exactly is wrong with people on this social media space? The hypocrisy is so loud it should have its own BVN. 😂 All of a sudden, Annie Idibia don turns angel Gabriel’s PA. The same Nigerians that dragged her like faulty Keke brake are now pretending she’s the standard for sainthood. Abeg, Nigerians will confuse even Google Maps. Nigeria is a comedy club disguised as a nation. One minute they are moral judges, the next minute they are motivational speakers, then by evening they are FBI agents with fake evidence. Nobody switches character faster than a Nigerian on social media. 😂 But let me talk to the men in the back: Please, protect your peace like your life depends on it because it actually does. If you break down, these same people will type “Omo, eyaaa. Stay strong bro 🙏🏽” while drinking cold malt and dragging someone else. 😂 Don’t let anyone stress you especially...
Read more