Race is not a leadership challenge in culturally monolithic societies. In
the United States, Caucasian leaders do not have to deal with the challenge as
much as their African American counterparts. Society seems to accept their role
as leaders more readily than they accept Black, Hispanic, Asian or other
minority leaders. Leaders from these groups have to deal with an added
challenge of coping with racism. This paper focuses on this challenge of
racism, especially among African American Leaders, and examines how successful
African American leaders cope or mitigate this challenge, while seeking to be
effective in their leadership roles. Depersonalization of self and migrating to
a group conceptualization is a common strategy that African American and
minority leaders use effectively, but it can be tiring in the long run, especially
if the leader wants to be at peace with his or her conscience.
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