Summary
Last July Silicon Valley Business Journal named B. Pagels-Minor, Senior Data Project Manager at Netflix, to its 40 Under 40 Class of 2021. To quote the article, “B. Pagels-Minor is a thought leader on product and culture development within technology companies. They are passionate about creating a culture of accountability and sustainable processes that allow teams to do the work well.” Little did anyone know what was to come just a few months later. B. was thrust into the public eye for a stance they took on an issue that was important to them and others at their place of employment. A walk out ensued. So did termination. B. joins us as a member of the greater UX community, and speaks to us about a topic that fits squarely into our day 3 theme: Design People—Caring for Individuals and Teams. In this talk, B. Pagels-Minor will talk about their life, their experience at Netflix, and most importantly the things they’ve learned about the power of authenticity in both doing and enabling great work.
Key Insights
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Authenticity in the workplace enhances overall happiness and productivity.
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The intersection of race, sexuality, and gender identity impacts professional experiences differently for each individual.
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Media representation plays a critical role in shaping self-identity, especially for marginalized communities.
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Compartmentalizing one's identity can lead to mental health issues and reduced work performance.
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Creating a culture of inclusivity requires ongoing dialogue and understanding from leadership.
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Early experiences of racism can set the stage for how one navigates professional spaces later in life.
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Support from mentors and allies can significantly affect one's journey toward self-acceptance.
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Navigating workplace identity requires balancing personal truth with external perceptions.
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The importance of vulnerability as a strength in professional settings.
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Employers must be proactive in addressing issues affecting diverse employees instead of reactive or dismissive.
Notable Quotes
"I literally woke up and chose myself."
"How can you work at a place that makes you feel this way?"
"I can't compartmentalize who I am to be successful at work."
"It's so easy for people to really just see you as yourself when you just tell them who you are."
"You might not be able to be out everywhere you go."
"Compartmentalizing creates too much brain drain to do your best work."
"Media is such a huge part of my life."
"Every time someone mentions Harvard, my family brings up how I should have applied."
"I can't have principals' offices all the time."
"Being told that I was special changed my thought process."
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