Women are told to do our best and we’ll be rewarded at work. However, this may be far from the truth. Researchers found that when women level up & start to own their greatness, they may become vulnerable to going from ‘Pet to Threat’. The “Pet to Threat’ phenomena describes the ways that women and especially women of color are often celebrated and supported early on in their careers. Unfortunately, from there, these women leader may be met with hostility as they exhibit mastery, confidence and honing of their skills.
Dr. Kecia M. Thomas and colleagues coined the term to explain workplace dynamics where women, and especially women of color, go from being mentored and admired to marginalized and ostracized. Dr. Thomas said, “I think it really represents some broader dimensions of organizational cultures that create inhospitable climates, especially for women of color.” Left unchecked, non-inclusive environments can give rise to Pet to Threat, the myth of imposter syndrome, or the gender wage gap, so and it’s something organizations should be thinking about.
This video illuminates the challenges that women of color experience while navigating the workplace. And it’s a helpful watch for any woman who have ever feel like they should play small and also a helpful resource for managers to identify organizational dynamics that create unfair barriers to success for women of color. Have you ever noticed the ‘Pet to Threat’ phenomena in the workplace?
UNDERSTAND THE WORKPLACE DYNAMICS THAT CHALLENGE WOMEN AT WORK
Pet to Threat
This video is a part of my LinkedIn course:
