Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey Givens.
Stacey, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The idea to launch a consulting group was borne out of years of coaching and mentoring women in communities of color as they navigated corporate spaces. Having worked for global organizations like Intel, Texas Instruments, and Essilor in project leadership roles, I learned to identify influencers and champions of diversity to garner their support for my career aspirations. I developed a personal playbook to help me build my career and over the years adapted my playbook to help other women do the same. My work, whether direct or indirect, has always involved creating pathways of access for those without representation or a voice that is heard.
The Givens Consulting Group designs strategies to elevate and develop women of color as leaders in corporate spaces. This includes providing these underrepresented groups with targeted training to elevate their voice when they enter the room. The Diversity & Inclusion landscape is vast and that is why The Givens Consulting Group is focused on designing career development strategies for women of color. By building readiness in areas that are not measured (but are observed and expected), individuals with a unique set of soft skills are equipped to ascend the career ladder and once they are steady, reach down to assist a fellow traveler. With 20 years of project management and leadership experience for several multi-national corporations, The Givens Consulting Group partners with organizational leadership to translate their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts into measurable results.
Has it been a smooth road?
An uphill climb is rarely smooth and is often marked by closed doors, difficult leaders, and opportunities with little growth potential. For most of my career, I have worked in male-dominated environments (telecom, IT, manufacturing), and few women are present, let alone in positions of leadership. I learned to listen first, gather information, and speak little, but what I did say carried weight. Challenging normative behaviors, arcane methods, and yes, the patriarchy, was necessary and times unsettling (for them and me). But I realized I might be the only one holding this space and I must use my voice, my presence, and my privilege to speak up. Sometimes we think that women of color lack privilege, but the truth is, we have it and don’t realize it.
Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, I have been “the only” in many classrooms, boardrooms, conference rooms and I learned how to use my uniqueness as my superpower. When I relocated to Dallas, Texas in 2007 I realized that I bring a perspective and way of engaging that is often unexpected. I am a Black woman from the Northwest, credentialed, degreed, capable, and confident; that is not a combination that people expect and I attribute that to my upbringing, interests, and background.
Givens Consulting Group – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The Givens Consulting Group designs strategies to elevate and develop women of color as leaders in corporate spaces. We level-up an organization’s talent efforts so the people they’ve invested in remain invested in them. We rethink talent acquisition by developing and elevating the talent already present in organizations. We have observed that the focus is often on filling a talent pipeline that is damaged by holes and talent is exiting. We have observed through a series of informal interviews that organizations have not resolved the fundamental issues of attrition, specifically where women of color are concerned. We believe that when you provide women of color with sponsorship, mentorship, and development to move up and around an organization, they will earn the promotions they are due, bring others along, and be your organization’s greatest advocate.
Women already possess the leadership and behavioral competencies expected by their managers, we want to bolster the self-promotion, negotiating, influencing, and networking capabilities needed to propel them forward.
We take pride in identifying talented women of color in organizations and helping them see their potential for greater. We know the statistics that women won’t apply for open positions unless they possess 80% or greater of the qualifications and men will apply with 30% of the skills and more than likely receive the offer. We have created The 5C Career Ascension model because we believe that if women develop competence, content, confidence, connections, and coaching, they will ascend.
What sets us apart is our mindset. We see talent as consumers; consumers choose products and services that meet their needs and when service slips, consumers leave. The same is true of talent. If your organization meets your aspirational and developmental needs for growth, you’re more apt to be engaged and stay, if they don’t the competition just won.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The diversity and inclusion space is exploding as organizations recognize that their leadership does not reflect the communities they serve. As this is an election year and we have seen the current administration roll back focus on diversity in public sector, that does not change the expectations of the private sector and who they serve. Media titans, apparel and footwear giants, eyewear manufacturers must all consider that the buying power of people of color significantly impacts their bottom line.
I expect to see continued growth in women-owned businesses launched by women of color. According to an article in Fast Company in September 2019, “Women of color account for 89% (1,625) of the new businesses opened every day over the past year. The number of firms owned by African-American women grew even faster, at 50%.” And according to an online article in the August 2019 issue of Inc.com, “Black women are the most educated demographic in the U.S. when you look at the number of associate and bachelor degrees earned.”
Women are clearly ready, willing, and able to exit corporations and build their own. Obviously, this isn’t every woman of color so The Givens Consulting Group will be around to help them grow, build, and excel as an employee in their present (or future) organization.
Pricing:
- Individual Coaching for Women on the Rise. For those navigating corporate landscapes, pursuing higher education, or making a career shift, we offer 1:1 coaching at an hourly rate of $75. This is an introductory rate and will increase in 2021.
Contact Info:
- Email: Stacey@GivensConsultingGroup.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/givensconsulting/
- Other: www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-givens-consulting
Image Credit:
Photo Credit: M. Readen. Left: Ashanti Titus, Right: Stacey Givens. Event: Corporate Hair: Where Authenticity Meets Executive Presence. Event Host: Candra Sweat, Founder of Everyday Executive.
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