Nothing can stop me!

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, discrimination can be defined as “the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things.” While there are laws and regulations against discrimination in most parts of the world, many would argue that mankind is still light-years away from achieving true equality. For systematic discrimination still exists, and unconscious biases remain present, even in the most progressive societies. Obviously this is a challenging topic, and I want to underline that the causes and consequences of discrimination are complex. So this article does not attempt to outline a global solution to this systemic malady.

The focus here is more specific. I want to remind readers that, whether in the workplace or in one’s profession, it is crucial to resist thought-patterns that limit your right to be present and to matter. Yes, discrimination is a powerful force; yes, it often feels impossible for just one person to overcome. For this reason some people may give up and settle for less than their dreams. That is of course understandable, but I want to say that this negative force may, somewhat paradoxically, become a powerful source of courage and perseverance. Injustice can sometimes become an inexhaustible fund for those who want to turn their professional goals and dreams into a reality, even against great odds.

What follows are five elements of a positive mindset to help you rise above discrimination in your professional life. These are lessons which I have learned from mentors and colleagues who, facing some form of discrimination themselves, were able to overcome difficulties and succeeded in achieving their career goals:

· Keep moving forward. I know how this sounds, if you are convinced that discrimination is preventing you from being hired or promoted, how can positive thinking change that? It’s true, a positive attitude will not change the rejection you have experienced. But the key point here is that neither pessimism nor giving up will help you do better in your life either. Being positive entails believing that if you persevere, if you keep knocking on doors and exploring new possibilities, industries, regions, and continue to improve yourself professionally, you will find new opportunities in due time.

· Be your self. This doesn’t mean you should go through life obsessing about what makes you different from others. That is exhausting and hardly leads to a rewarding career. Instead, dedicate time regularly to explore and align your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours to your values. Knowing yourself helps you keep your mind in the here and now, which in the professional world often leads to learning how to deliver faster and better results. In the workplace, everyone values that.

· Don’t miss a learning opportunity. When you are rejected for a job or promotion, regardless if discrimination was involved or not, call the hiring manager and respectfully ask for feedback about what you can do better next time to improve your chances. Evidently you will not be told that discrimination was the cause you weren’t hired; but if that was the case, your inquiry could, ideally, help the recruiter reflect and become aware of the impact of his or her biases. If discrimination was not involved, you may at least receive feedback to help you improve your performance in the future. Either way there is something valuable to be gained.

· Find a mentor. I cannot stress this enough. Don’t go through your professional life alone. Cultivate relationships with people who are resilient in pursuing their goals, share your values, and can offer creative ideas about how to shift your focus to new possibilities. This person might be a former colleague or classmate, a neighbour, a relative, or someone from your professional networks who shares your background in one way or another. But don’t look for this person in order to lament about your past. While it is important to acknowledge and learn from the difficulties you have suffered, don’t dwell on them, don’t get stuck. Successful people want to surround themselves with others who inspire and energize them. So should you.

· Believe in goodness. There is evil in the world, surely, and it is all-too-often in the news. But, as cliché as it may sound, there is good around us too. Don’t lose faith. If it helps, make a list of all the good things you have, starting with being alive and having a family or a friend. Look around, acknowledge, affirm, and believe that the good in the world vastly outweighs the evil. Then, look at the trajectory of your career again with fresh eyes, and plan your next move.

Obviously there is no magic formula to combat discrimination. And there can be no doubt that its effects cause significant harm to one’s career and life. Yet our story is not only shaped by the events that happen to us, but also and more remarkably by the choices we make as a result of those events. Persevere, be yourself, learn constantly, collaborate with and learn from others, and contribute to the forward motion of good in this world. Your time will come!