StepStephen Bird, CEO of Abrdn, elucidates how reverse mentoring enabled him to gain more proficient insight into the concept of white prerogative. Reverse mentoring is where senior executives are paired with junior employees to gain insight into the differences in their perspectives and experiences. Stephen Bird was paired with a junior African-American employee, who gave him valuable insight into the concept of white prerogative, to which he had not previously been exposed. Through this mentorship, Bird could see how his advantages as a white male enabled him to succeed in business while many people of color were held back by systemic racism.
The experience opened Bird’s eyes to the need for greater diversity and inclusion initiatives in Abrdn and beyond. He believes that reverse mentoring can be an effective tool for senior executives to understand better the challenges faced by people from different backgrounds and how the impact of systemic racism can hold back diverse talent. Bird encourages all senior executives to engage in reverse mentoring, which can be an invaluable source of knowledge and insight.
Bird has since made it a priority to create an inclusive and diverse workplace at Abrdn. He has implemented initiatives that prioritize hiring people from all backgrounds, creating a safe space for employees to share their experiences, and promoting diversity in the company’s leadership. Bird is also committed to supporting the development of minority-owned businesses in his industry.
Stephen joined Citigroup in 1998 and, over 21 years, had authority functions in banking, operations, and technology through its Asian and Latin American enterprises. Before this, he served in managerial roles in the UK at GE Capital, serving as director of United Kingdom operations from 1996-1998, and at British Steel.
By engaging in reverse mentoring, Stephen Bird gained valuable insight into the concept of white prerogative and how it perpetuates inequality in the workplace. He encourages other senior executives to engage in reverse mentoring to gain knowledge and understanding. Through his efforts, Bird is helping to create a more equitable and inclusive environment at Abrdn.
Stephen Bird also recognizes the importance of creating a diverse and inclusive culture accepting different perspectives and experiences. He has taken steps to ensure that Abrdn’s policies and practices reflect this, such as implementing a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and harassment, providing employees with resources to learn more about diversity and inclusion, and creating an environment where employees feel comfortable speaking up about their experiences.