Navigating Your Leadership Journey: Tailored Tips for Black Men in Mid-Level Roles
By Dominic George · July 19th 2025

Happy Saturday! Word Count: 1611…12.24 minutes. Copy edited by Dominic George

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Vision Leadership for Life newsletter, designed with the specific challenges faced by Black men in mid-level leadership positions in mind. We understand the unique journey you’re on, and our goal is to provide practical insights to help you thrive in your professional evolution. So, lets dive into today’s topic and Elevate Your Leadership.

Black Men in Leadership Spaces: Three Things to Know About Identity

Leadership is not just about what you do. It is about who you are while you do it.

For Black men, leadership often comes with a set of unspoken challenges that are rarely named in professional development books or seminars. You step into a room and instantly feel the tension of perception. There is pride in making it this far, yet there is also a constant undercurrent of “Am I enough for this space as I truly am?”

Your identity as a Black man is not something to downplay in leadership. It is a dynamic source of insight, resilience, and innovation. And yet, without the right strategies and support, it can feel like a weight rather than an advantage.

It does not have to be that way. Here are three truths and coaching strategies to help Black men not only navigate leadership but thrive in it.

Your identity is an asset. Stop shrinking yourself.

Many Black men learn early to adapt to the comfort levels of others. You learn to speak softly so that passion is not mistaken for anger. You learn to blend in so that your brilliance does not make anyone uneasy. But every time you shrink, you lose an opportunity to lead with your full presence.

Executive coaching strategy:

• Audit your authenticity: Write down specific moments where you have toned yourself down in meetings or strategy sessions. What would have happened if you spoke freely? What ideas might have been lost?

• Rehearse your story: Prepare three personal leadership stories that reflect your perspective and values. Use them in meetings, mentoring sessions, and presentations. Sharing them builds credibility and connection.

• Create brave spaces: Seek out peer groups, resource networks, or executive roundtables that affirm your identity and challenge you to bring more of yourself into the room. When you experience belonging, you build courage to show up fully in less familiar environments.

Your authenticity is not a distraction from your leadership. It is the very thing that makes your leadership unique.

Purpose will carry you farther than anyone’s expectations.

There is a pressure to perform in ways that meet others’ standards. That pressure can feel endless. But there is a deeper well to draw from. Purpose is what allows you to set the tone rather than constantly react to it.

When your leadership is anchored in purpose, you stop asking “Do they think I belong here?” and start asking “What legacy am I building while I am here?”

Executive coaching strategy:

• Clarify your core values: Write down five values you want to define your leadership. Narrow them down to three that resonate most deeply. Let those values guide every major decision you make.

• Design your legacy statement: Ask yourself, “When I leave this role or this organization, what do I want people to say about my impact?” Write that statement and revisit it monthly.

• Shift from proving to positioning: Instead of proving your worth in every room, position your skills and insights in ways that align with organizational goals. Frame your contributions as strategic, not simply competent.

Purpose allows you to lead from a place of vision rather than a place of fear.

Additional Tip for Black Men: Lead with purpose instead of pressure.

Solution Shift: Release the need to constantly prove yourself. Write down three core values that define how you want to lead and use them to guide your decisions this week. Let those values speak louder than the expectations placed on you.

Identity work is not a single choice. It is a lifelong practice. 

Every new level of leadership will test how much of yourself you are willing to bring. This is not a sign of weakness. It is the reality of growth. Leadership will stretch you, and if you are not intentional, it will also shape you into someone unrecognizable.

Executive coaching strategy:

• Regular reflection sessions: Once a month, take an hour to ask yourself these questions:
  1. What part of my identity showed up strongly in my leadership this month?
  2. Where did I feel pressured to hold back?
  3. What do I want to lean into more in the month ahead?

• Find mirrors, not just mentors: Seek out mentors who do more than give advice. Look for people who reflect your best self back to you and challenge you to expand it.

• Invest in identity-centered development: Attend leadership programs, retreats, and coaching sessions designed with Black men in mind. These spaces offer not only skill-building but also affirmation and belonging.

The work of honoring your identity never ends. It evolves with every season of your career.

Enhancing the experience of Black men in leadership

Beyond personal strategies, organizations can and should take intentional steps to create environments where Black men can thrive. If you are in a position to influence your workplace, here are ways to elevate the experience for yourself and others:

• Advocate for sponsorship programs: Mentorship is good. Sponsorship is transformative. Push for initiatives where senior leaders actively advocate for the advancement of Black men into higher-impact roles.

• Champion equitable feedback: Bias often creeps into evaluations. Encourage clear, measurable feedback systems so that growth conversations are rooted in facts, not stereotypes.

• Build peer networks: Facilitate or join forums where Black men can share experiences, exchange strategies, and build professional alliances.

• Normalize conversations about identity: Advocate for leadership development sessions that explicitly address race, identity, and culture. Silence on these topics isolates leaders. Open dialogue creates a culture of understanding and respect.

Additional Tip for Black Men: Commit to identity work as an ongoing practice.

Solution Shift: Set aside fifteen minutes this week to reflect on where you feel most authentic in your leadership and where you hold back. Choose one area to lean into more fully. Keep this reflection as a monthly rhythm to ensure your growth aligns with your identity.

Closing Thoughts:

In summary, here’s a word to every Black man who is leading. You are not alone in the tension you feel. You are not overreacting when you sense the double standard. And you are not wrong for wanting to lead in a way that honors who you are.

Your identity is your advantage. Your perspective is your leverage. Your presence in leadership is not just about you. It is about every door you open for those coming after you.

Lead in a way that does not require you to lose yourself. Lead in a way that proves to you, not to them, that you belong. And lead in a way that makes your identity a source of power rather than a quiet burden.

Stand tall. Lead boldly. And remember that you deserve to thrive, not just survive, in every space you enter.

That’s the new path forward.

Subscribe to the Vision Leadership for LIFE newsletter now for early access, if you want your insider guidebook before it drops, exclusive insights, and first access when pre-orders to my book when it goes live.

And as promised → You’re getting the first access to my leadership guide book. Click the link here: http://amazon.com/author/dominicgeorge 

Fellas, your journey is both unique and powerful. If you’re ready to start leading from your authentic edge, then your on the roadmap for greatness. When you’re leading from within, you are not only advancing your career but also paving the way for future leaders.

Feel free to reach out for personalized coaching or share your success stories.

Your success is our shared triumph.

Real Talk: If you’re ready to:

• Reclaim your voice in high-stakes spaces.

• Lead with strategy, not survival.

• Build a legacy that doesn’t require you to perform to belong.

You don’t have to lose yourself to lead. You just have to reclaim who you are, and lead from there.

Have a POWERFUL Day!

Dominic George

Founder, Vision Leadership for LIFE, LLC

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