We already know the technology sector has a diversity problem. In recent years there has been noticeable and commendable progress in acknowledging and addressing issues such as racial bias in tech and tech algorithms, and inequities in tech access for Black and brown people. However, some issues remain and continue to be pernicious—namely the lack of racial diversity in the executive levels of tech companies.
A 2021 report by mthree, a Wiley brand, surveyed more than 250 tech business leaders. Their findings included
- 68% of businesses are aware of a continuing lack of diversity in their tech teams
- 46% of those aware businesses are actively addressing the issue
- 22% of those businesses admitted they do not know how to change their diversity situation
The message is clear: if you’re a Black professional working in the tech sector, then you can’t rely on your current or future employers to address the diversity issue and help you chart your course to the top of the corporate ladder.
You need to take matters into our own hands.
But the good news is you don’t have to do it alone.
At The ELC, we have reimagined professional development for technology professionals. Imagine participating in a career acceleration program where:
- You are not the only; where all the other participants are Black tech professionals
- The program staff look like you; where facilitators, coaches and program managers are all Black professionals experienced in working with other Black professionals
- Where the course content reflects your experience; where we don’t shy away from issues relevant to Black professionals. In fact, we lean into those components.
It might be more accurate to call it professional transformation instead of professional development.
The ELC’s DECODED program for Black digital professionals provides a comprehensive 5-month virtual cohort program which includes live instruction, fireside chat sessions with C-suite Black technology professionals, professional assessments, self-directed learning, and executive coaching. We do more than have engaging and useful conversations. We provide proven strategies and tactics to apply critical leadership competencies, broader and deeper professional networks, high levels of emotional intelligence and a strategic blueprint for their professional journey and development.
What is Decoded?
Decoded is a comprehensive 5-month virtual cohort program designed to accelerate Black digital professionals’ progress to the executive level. The program includes:
- Live Virtual Instructor-Led Sessions
- Up to 8 hours of 1-on-1 Executive Coaching with an ICF-certified coach
- VIP Registration to The ELC’s 2022 Mid-Level Managers’ Symposium
- Self-directed learning on The ELC’s Learning Management System
- Fireside chat sessions with Black senior executives in the music industry
- And more!
Who Should Attend?
- Black digital professionals with 5 to 15 years of experience in the tech industry
- Practitioners from across the technology sector including engineers, IT professionals, web developers, studio managers, software engineers, DevOps managers, data scientists, US/UI specialists
- Individual contributors, supervisors, entrepreneurs
Executive Coaching
Working with an executive coach can help you reach your professional goals faster than you would on your own. In fact, research shows working with a qualified coach increases an executive’s positive outcomes in five key areas including (1) work performance, (2) well-being, (3) coping skills, (4) work attitudes, and (5) goal-directed self-regulation.
Each Decoded participant will be assigned an executive coach who has been certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Providing up to 8 hours of individual-support, these ICF-certified coaches will help participants translate their Levels insights and strategies into tactics and outcomes tailored for their specific work environment.
Program participants can expect to:
- Expand their professional network with the expected 105 participating digital professionals in cohorts of 35 people
- Commit 3-5 hours during each of the six program weeks to live instruction, peer collaboration activities and self-directed learning assignments
- Leverage the support of their executive coach to turn insights and strategies into actionable tactics and behaviors
- Develop data-based insights from the Everything DiSC and Change Style Indicator assessments
- Identify high-value career advancement strategies and tactics from Black technologists who have already made it to the C-Suite
Targeted Leadership Competencies
Change Management | Creativity | Crisis Management | Developing Others | Emotional Intelligence | Influence | Political Savvy | Strategic Thinking |Verbal & Written Communication | Vision
Learning Objectives
Learning objectives provide the foundation for training development. Terminal and Enabling objectives provide a framework that organizes the program content, instructional activities, and assessments. The Terminal Objective describes the learning achieved by completing the overall program, while Enabling Objectives describe learning achieved with specific segments of the program.
Terminal Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will:
- Create a 5-year professional development blueprint that aligns vision, values, goals, networks, resources and opportunities.
- Present a viable solution a for a pernicious tech challenge.
- Clarify their professional brand.
- Expand their operational, personal and strategic networks.
- Design the “promotion packages” for their next two advancement opportunities.
Enabling Objectives
To achieve the above outcomes, participants will:
- Explore individual proclivities to change and how they impact behavior using the Change Style Indicator assessment.
- Explore the strengths and limitations of their interpersonal work style using the Everything DiSC personality assessment.
- Complete a self-directed technology learning project.
- Develop mutually beneficial relationships with their program peers, instructors, and executive coach.
- Develop a change management plan for a significant professional challenge.