Synopsis
This case examines Samina’s journey from an entry-level assistant to a store manager at RetailCo, where she faces workplace bias and resistance due to her ethnicity, gender, and the company’s diversity policies. While she is highly qualified and experienced, some colleagues, especially Tom, believe her promotion is due to diversity targets rather than merit. She also faces cultural expectations from her family, which add another layer of pressure. The case raises important discussions around implicit bias, leadership strategies, diversity policies, and mentorship for women and ethnic minorities in leadership roles.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
By engaging with this case, students will:
- Critically evaluate the impact of diversity policies and implicit bias in workplace interactions.
- Identify challenges faced by ethnic minority women in leadership and strategies to overcome workplace resistance.
- Develop inclusive leadership approaches to foster team cohesion and reduce resentment.
- Examine the role of mentorship in career advancement, especially for underrepresented groups.
Target Courses and Programs
This case is suitable for: Leadership and Organizational Behavior (Undergraduate & MBA); Human Resource Management (HRM) and Diversity Management (MBA & Executive Education)
Authors: Professor Nicolina Kamenou (Heriot-Watt University) and Professor Jawad Syed (Lahore University of Management Sciences)
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