Hidden in Plain Sight: All Things Asian in the Workplace

To wrap up season 2, the three of us met up in NYC to record the last episode of the season in-person and debrief a recent organizational psychology conference we all attended. We share the latest insights we uncovered on topics ranging from leader prototypes to AI coaching, dwelling on the sessions that resonated with us. If you're curious about what an I/O psychology conference looks and feels like, check out this episode!  Finally, we are taking a short break and will return in July with more content on all things Asian in the workplace!

Shradha, an organizational design expert and leader, joins us in our virtual studio to chat about everything from executive coaching to the immigrant experience and what it was like for her to transition from working at a large international company in India to doing organizational design work for another global firm in the US.  Link to Shradha's podcast: Unpacking Organizations: The Practitioner's Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unpacking-organizations-the-practitioners-podcast/id1697837236]

Hidden in plain sight welcomes its first ever guest speaker, Beiwen! Beiwen, a seasoned DEI consultant, sat down with us to talk about the rewards and challenges of doing DEI work. Is there such a thing as DEI gone wrong? What is virtue signaling? Is it harmful? Is your organization doing DEI just to check the box? Lastly, where and how do Asian American and Asian professionals fit into the DEI discourse? Join us for a thought-provoking conversation!  Articles for nerds https://www.wsj.com/business/c-suite/chief-diversity-officer-cdo-business-corporations-e110a82f Link to Beiwen's podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/%E9%9B%85%E7%97%9E%E4%B8%8D%E7%97%9Eyuppieyawns/id1487023939 https://open.spotify.com/show/7ufKsdBIL3ro46wSLWkRGi?si=4yMkUJJPTIOa3TWn9hnnhA

In this episode, we talk about who we would invite as speakers in our development program. We start out by listing our dream speakers and why they are important to the community, touching on their background, and the unique contributions they can make to our program. We get creative as we chat about questions we'd ask them regarding their lived experiences, grit, motivation, as well as their racial identity journey and why and how this all matters to Asian American and Asian professionals.  What speakers would you add to the leadership development program? Let us know at hiddeninplainsight855@gmail.com!

In this episode, we discuss what roleplaying scenarios we would put leaders in to practice how to respond to typical microaggressions. Using real-life situations, we share different routes to call out microaggressive behavior. We break down the difference between ideal response and acknowledge what typically happens in reality. We also talk about ways to better communicate, model behavior, and manage up to reduce workplace microaggressions. What skills would you want to add to the leadership program? Let us know at Hipsata1@gmail.com

What would a leadership development program that speaks to the Asian  and Asian American experience look like? This episode focuses on the essential topics we would include if we could design a leadership program meant for us. Over the next several episodes, we'll cover topics, skills, and dream speakers we would feature in this program. If you had the opportunity to develop a leadership program for Asian and Asian American leaders, what other topics would you include? Let us know at Hipsata1@gmail.com

In this episode, we breakdown a white paper written about feedback and how it pertains to Asian professionals. What did the paper reveal about the type of feedback Asians receive from their managers, and how should we interpret these findings? Should we be skeptical? We discuss these questions and share how to be a savvy consumer of these types of business reports!

We've been talking about a lot of heavy topics, so we wanted to lighten the mood. This episode was extra special because the three of us recorded this in a co-located space when we got together in NYC. We chat about our favorite and not-so-favorite Asian comics, while discussing how humor can relate to the workplace!  Articles for Nerds Strategies for managing impressions of racial identity in the workplace [https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2014-31328-001] https://hbr.org/2018/11/the-benefits-of-laughing-in-the-office

In part 2, we continue our conversation about affirmative action, but in this episode we focus the dialogue on actions that we would like to take in light of the new ruling and what we can do to help make the workplace more racially equitable.

Happy new year! We are back! In our first episode of Season 2, we have an honest discussion about affirmative action. We first define it, talk a little bit about its history, and discuss the impact of the recent decision to reverse affirmative action in higher education and what downstream repercussions it may have on Asians in the workplace. Articles for nerds Asian American Discrimination in Harvard Admissions https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2022.104079 Negative action against Asian Americans https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=707624#:~:text=Jerry%20Kang,-University%20of%20California&text=By%20negative%20action%2C%20I%20mean,had%20that%20person%20been%20White

Season 1 of Hidden in Plain Sight is done! We are taking a short break but wanted to drop this wrap-up clip. Tune in for our season's greetings and a preview of what's to come!

In this episode, we talk about the ins and outs of assessments, including the MBTI and how they are used in the workplace. Tune in to hear about the research, our thoughts, and the haiku! Articles for Nerds! How The Myers-Briggs Personality Test Began In A Mother's Living Room Lab https://www.npr.org/2018/09/22/650019038/how-the-myers-briggs-personality-test-began-in-a-mothers-living-room-lab Persona Documentary Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWBXniurrA0 'If They Have It, It's Undeniable': Lorne Michaels On Casting 'SNL' https://www.npr.org/2015/10/09/446867421/if-they-have-it-its-undeniable-lorne-michaels-on-casting-snl Leadership perceptions as a function of race–occupation fit: The case of Asian Americans. (Sy et al.,  2010) https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2010-16991-001 An interview Professor Thomas Sy https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=135513478 How Women End Up on the "Glass Cliff" https://hbr.org/2011/01/how-women-end-up-on-the-glass-cliff Differential Item Functioning by Sex and Race in the Hogan Personality Inventory. (Sheppard et al., 2006) https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2006-20568-008

In this episode, we talk broadly about why some AAPI professionals don't feel supported in Employee Resource Groups (ERG) and how that feeling and experience translate to other areas. As usual, we draw from the research and our own experience to discuss what lack of support looks like; what could be driving this trend; and what to do about it. Let us know about your perspective. How supported do you feel at work?Reach us at: Hipsata1@gmail.com Haiku Amidst hate and fear Solidarity will show Love for all Asians! Articles for Nerds! Asian Americans most likely to join employee diversity groups but don't feel supported, report says https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/asian-americans-likely-join-employee-diversity-groups-dont-feel-suppor-rcna76209 AAPI Data|Momentive poll: 2023 diversity in American life https://www.surveymonkey.com/curiosity/aapi-data-2023/ Asian Researchers Face Disparity With Key U.S. Science Funding Source https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/04/science/asian-scientists-nsf-funding.html Nguyen, D. V., Block, C. J., Kim, J. Y., & Yu, H. (in press). General and Stereotype-based Microaggressions Experienced by Asians and Asian Americans in the workplace: A Qualitative Study. American Behavioral Scientist.

In this episode, we continue the conversation about stereotypes and their effects, but provide a positive spin! Specifically, we focus on coping strategies and how we've managed to deal with common workplace stereotypes. Tune in to find out more about how we coped with these experiences and whether any of our examples resonate with you! Haiku Stereotypes bind Empathy breaks the stronghold Hearts embrace what's real Articles for Nerds Inside the prism of an invisible threat: Shining a light on the hidden work of contending with systemic stereotype threat in STEM fields. https://tinyurl.com/9mbr96tf [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001879118301088?casa_token=DUkBgCMdokAAAAAA:8m5YuDxzT0EdlFjlaGKUZgxzfcYtSYZHo966pEn0-KYSb1kKRGhSyswDwFsfVIsXsn75jAHcvXM] How to Overcome Stereotypes in Your Organization https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/how-stereotypes-affect-an-organization

In this episode, we talk about typical stereotypes that manifest for Asians and Asian Americans in the workplace and how they can sometimes lead to stereotype threat. Tune in to hear about our experiences and some of the current research! Haiku Boxed mind weaves tails wild Laughter breaks through biased walls Truth smiles, stereotypes fall Articles for Nerds Stereotype Threat https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9174398/ HBR - Why Women Feel More Stress at Work https://hbr.org/2016/08/why-women-feel-more-stress-at-work

In this episode, we celebrate Michelle Yeoh's Oscar win, discuss how Asian and Asian Americans fit in Hollywood, and explore how that pertains to the workplace as well as implications on leadership outcomes.  Articles for Nerds Asian Americans Are the Least Likely Group in the U.S. to Be Promoted to Management https://hbr.org/2018/05/asian-americans-are-the-least-likely-group-in-the-u-s-to-be-promoted-to-management HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT: Asian American Leaders in Silicon Valley https://asiasociety.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/HiddenInPlainSight_Paper_042.pdf Barely Crack in the Asian Glass Ceiling https://static1.squarespace.com/static/621f898a98dc785cd663ab7b/t/6411f34f7e8c0f338f50f144/1678898001325/Barely%2BBreaking%2Bthe%2BAsian%2BGlass%2BCeiling.pdf Time Magazine: A Comprehensive Guide to the Ghost in the Shell Controversy http://time.com/4714367/ghost-in-the-shell-controversy-scarlett-johansson Washington Post: 98 times a white actor played someone who wasn't white https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/01/28/100-times-a-white-actor-played-someone-who-wasnt-white/

In this episode, we start out by breaking down a tweeted photo of Elon Musk with his "extremely hardcore" employees. We discuss the superficial meaning and the subtleties of this picture and unearth the potential repercussions and the narrative presented by this photo, questioning what options employees on visa status truly have in a "hardcore" organization. We reflected upon the concept of overcompensating/bullet proofing in our own line of work and how we have navigated the tendency to be "pigeon-holed." We share personal examples while drawing from findings from the organizational psychology research, touching on how Asians are confined to certain non-leader roles and how we as podcasts hosts are working to break that narrative. Elon Musk with "hardcore" employees https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/elon-musk-posts-pictures-with-engineers-leaving-a-code-review-on-twitter-353449-2022-11-19 Articles for Nerds: Prevention vs. Promotion Focus https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00726/full#B26 Saying "No" at work https://hbr.org/2017/01/hbrs-best-on-saying-no-to-more-work Chat GPT Haiku Break free from the mold Embrace your unique journey Flourish on your path

We are three organizational psychologists and friends who are going to give you the lowdown on the good, the bad, and the ugly on the Asian experience in the workplace. Hidden in Plain Sight covers a range of workplace topics as they relate to the Asian experience. We include perspectives from Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) and  international Asians working in the U.S. Each episode breaks down a specific workplace concept - whether it's pay negotiation, professional development, or racial microaggressions, and we discuss how they relate to Asians, bringing in relevant evidence from the organizational and psychological research, and sharing tips and advice on how best to navigate these situations. Though this podcast is about the Asian experience, we invite anyone with an interest in this topic to tune in!

In this episode, we continue the conversation about stereotypes and their effects, but provide a positive spin! Specifically, we focus on coping strategies and how we've managed to deal with stereotypes in the workplace. Tune in to find out more about how we coped with these experiences and whether any of our examples resonate with you! Haiku Stereotypes bind Empathy breaks the stronghold Hearts embrace what's real Articles for Nerds Inside the prism of an invisible threat: Shining a light on the hidden work of contending with systemic stereotype threat in STEM fields. https://tinyurl.com/9mbr96tf [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001879118301088?casa_token=DUkBgCMdokAAAAAA:8m5YuDxzT0EdlFjlaGKUZgxzfcYtSYZHo966pEn0-KYSb1kKRGhSyswDwFsfVIsXsn75jAHcvXM] How to Overcome Stereotypes in Your Organization https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/how-stereotypes-affect-an-organization

In episode 2, we talk about the Lunar New Year and how some people have to navigate it in the workplace. We dive into how organizations can play a role in spearheading changes to make a more equitable, inclusive, and safe workplace.  We discuss Michelle Yeoh and the golden globes speech and how that moment defied Asian stereotypes, and what that may mean for our community in the workplace. We play myth busting with the concept of Asians being crazy rich and dive deeply into salary negotiation and its importance.  Michelle Yeoh and the golden globes speech https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHpDqn0nlK8 Salary databases — Know your worth! Tech start ups  https://www.builtinnyc.com/salaries Salary for Industrial/organizational psychologist   https://www.newhaven.edu/_resources/documents/arts-sciences/graduate-programs/industrial-organizational-psychology/siop-income-employment-report-2022.pdf Higher Education Institutions https://www.chronicle.com/page/special-note-about-the-chronicles-faculty-and-staff-pay-data Keep in mind, if the college/university is public, there is a good chance that salary data is public in that state. Google is your friend!  Federal Salary https://www.federalpay.org/gs/2023 Article for nerds  Asians don't ask? Relational concerns, negotiation propensity, and starting salaries. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2022-58136-001 GPT Haiku Know your work, be bold Negotiate your high value Claim what you deserve