This we cannot defend through speeches and debates but let our work speak for itself. We carry the burden of being pioneers. Firstly, we have to have our own self-development plans and we need to interact with our organisations to ensure that the necessary resources and support is there for us to achieve our plans. Secondly, we need to understand and then consciously impact on the organisation's culture and politics. It is no good only interacting at formal levels in any organisation.
All organisations have networks and informal procedures and protocols.
This is where discrimination is often most pervasive. Decisions are more often made on golf courses and pubs than boardrooms - even in gents. Thirdly, we need to assume responsibility for the advancement of staff at all levels. We need to pay particular attention to the advancement of black people, women and people with disabilities. We should not adopt an attitude that being the only black is an achievement.