On the eve of an historic event, we pose an important question, “Can the US be considered a role model to other nations with regard to diversity and leadership?”  

We asked ourselves this question after reading a recent article in the UK newspaper The Guardian  - “Race still a bar to the boardroom” (January 8th 2009), which discussed the findings of a recent UK study, Race to the Top, conducted by the charity Business in the Community (BITC).  The study concluded that “management prospects are disproportionately bleak for people from a black or minority ethnic background – and are likely to worsen over the next decade unless action is taken.” 

Sandra Kerr, National Director for the BITC’s Race for Opportunity campaign, expressed concern over the recent findings in her commentary “Race Inequality is Increasing in the UK Workforce”, on the BITC website:

“Barack Obama won the US presidential election with a message of hope, “Yes, we can!” His election showed the American dream to be alive: an African American with a very un-American sounding name won the most high profile management job in the world. “Could it happen here?” we asked. We might not wear our values so brazenly – there’s no such thing as the British dream - but surely opportunity and hope are as plentiful in UK society? Race is no barrier to success in the UK?….Depressingly this seems a long way from the truth….“

So, is the US a role model for other nations in embracing diverse leaders in political, corporate and public environments?  Those who would agree, like Kerr, believe the election of the first African-American US president is a clear indication that “Yes, We Are.” With the highest glass-ceiling shattered, it could be argued that there is now less standing in the way of success for all Americans.   

However, others believe that the US still has a long way to go before it could be considered a global role model for embracing diversity.  Despite the “headlines” of Obama’s victory and his relatively diverse cabinet, US labor statistics consistently report the under-representation of women and ethnic minorities in senior management, boards of directors, and other high-profile positions in Corporate America. 

Either way, there is an opportunity ahead.  At Bridge Partners LLC, it is our belief that leadership benefits when it draws from a diversity of thought, perspective and experience.  The election of Barack Obama and the diverse appointments to his cabinet will undoubtedly influence the manner in which US leadership is perceived, both domestically and abroad, in both public and private settings.  If the US is to be viewed as a role model for other nations, we hope that it is for this ability to embrace change and opportunity.