Asian Americans In Corporate America:
Some Questions & Challenges
ECC Brown Bag
Jim Kelly
Senior Vice President, TDBU
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Defining Diversity
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Statistics on Asian Americans
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Stereotypes of Asian Americans
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Working the Issue from All Sides
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Emerging Resources
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Definition of Diverse:
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1 : Differing from one another : unlike <people with diverse interests>
2 : Composed of distinct or unlike elements or qualities <a diverse population>
Synonyms: see different
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We often mistake diversity for equality, equal opportunity -- or even sameness!
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Why is diversity such a good thing for our
Company?
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Harsh Fact: Asian Americans, compared with all other groups, are less likely to rise to management levels
120
100
Comparison of Minority Groups vs. National Average on %
Chance to Rise to Management level
111%
National Average
74%
% Chance as compared to National
80
Average 60
67%
65%
55%
40
20
0
Source: EEOC 2003
Female White Black
Minority Groups
Hispanic Asian
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Harsh Fact: Despite high academic achievement and qualifications, Asian Americans’ career and leadership attainment declines after graduation 1
Point of Demarcation
Educational
Trend
Mainstream
Career/Leadership
Trend
Asian
Illustrative
Achievement
Time
1 Source: 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 aspiration and confidence in their leadership abilities than Caucasian Americans
Source: Dr. Sy Research
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Harsh Fact: Asian Americans are less likely to be perceived as prototypical leaders
Source: Dr. Sy Research 7

NY Times: Report Takes Aim at ‘Model Minority’
Stereotype of Asian-American Students
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 report issued by New York University , the College Board and a commission of mostly AA educators and community leaders.
Report found:
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Contrary to stereotype, most of the bachelor’s degrees that AAs received in
2003 were in business, management, social sciences or humanities, not in the STEM fields: science, technology, engineering or math.
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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 says that for AAs, seen as the “good minority that seeks advancement through quiet diligence in study and work and by not making waves,” the question is, “How does it feel to be a solution?”
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The under-representation of Asian-Americans in administrative jobs at colleges. Only 33 of the nation’s college presidents, fewer than 1% are AAs.
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AA Attribute
“Model Minority”
Strong work ethic
Highly educated
Quantitative/Detailed
Quiet
Respectful
Team Players
Thoughtful Voice
Others…
Perception/Outcome
Ignored Group
“Keep your head down and don’t complain”
“Can make their own way”
“Can’t think strategically or creatively”
Afraid
Timid
Followers, not leader
Indecisive
……
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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?
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Corporate executives must be sensitized to AA issues, culture and untapped potential
“Model Minority” must not be the “Ignored Group”
Leadership pipeline must contain AAs…or corporations will not have AA leaders!
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AAs must take personal and collective affirmative steps to highlight their issues and develop leadership skills necessary to break through stereotypes
Supportive resources must be developed, recognized and seized
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AAPA – Asian American Professional Association
LEAP - Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics
Ascend (leadership development conference)
Apex (Asian Professional Exchange)
National Association of Asian American Professionals
Asian Women in Business
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Stanford Graduate School Advanced Leadership
Program for Emerging Asian American Executives
Asia Society
All and others can be found on the internet!
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