ABSTRACT

This chapter highlights the nuances and complexities of Women of Color in the workforce. It examines personal and institutional barriers they face based on their race, ethnicity, and culture, and the implications of such barriers on their performance. It is crucial, at this point in time, to find out how women’s intersectional identities may manifest in a group setting and how they can leverage their diverse worldviews to develop into more competent leaders. Drawing from Social Identity Theory, Minority Identity Development Model, Leader Member exchange theory, and existing research on successful diverse women in leadership, this chapter explicates the ways in which Women of Color can evolve into aware, well-rounded, authentic, and effective leaders in groups.