Unwavering

A pioneering warrior for diversity and inclusion shows how to make game-changing moves that will benefit you and your organization alike

When Nellie Borrero joined Accenture, bigotry and bias went unnoticed and unchecked; it was simply the workplace norm. Now, 35+ years later, this first-generation Latina shares how she led diversity strategy and developed award-winning inclusion and diversity programs that transformed Accenture into the #1 ranked employer for inclusion, diversity, and equity.

In Unwavering, Borrero draws on her experiences with remarkable candor and courage to inspire you to think bigger, know your value, and show up with it everywhere, every day. She reveals how to remove barriers and claim space not just for yourself but for others as well. You’ll become aware of:

• Biases that negatively impact professionals of color
• Recognizing that belonging and uniqueness don't have to be at odds
• Standing up and standing out: taking your career from the margins to center stage
• What to do when mentoring fails—and the power of embracing and accepting help
• Staying true to yourself when your values collide with reality
• Showing up strategically, intentionally asserting yourself, and competing

A manifesto for understanding and action, Unwavering provides a proven framework for how to create transformational relationships that make diversity and inclusion an integral part of your success and your company’s competitive advantage.

Foreword xv

Introduction The Power of One Question 1

My Early Days 3

Recognizing the Limits to Reaching My Full Potential 7

Answering the Uncomfortable Question 12

Chapter 1 The Complexities of Finding Belonging 17

Cultural Collisions 20

Belonging 23

Prejudice and Racism in the Workplace 25

Defining Moments 31

Speak Up for Yourself 33

Waiting for Permission 37

What It's Like to Experience Belonging 40

Questions for Consideration 41

Chapter 2 The Constant Work Against Marginalization 43

Marginalization in Action 46

Comfort Zone for Whom? 51

The Marginalization Effect 53

Taking Back Your Power 54

The Senior Level Is Not a Shield 57

Questions for Consideration 60

Chapter 3 Understand Your Power; Claim Your Worth 61

Control the Narrative 66

Choose Yourself 75

Bet on Your Value 77

Boosting Your Power 81

Know Your Worth 84

Questions for Consideration 86

Chapter 4 Choosing to Lead with an Inclusive Mindset 87

Access Granted, But Not Ready 91

Mentoring: An Investment and a Reward 95

Become the Best Ally You Can Be 99

A Culture of Belonging 110

Questions for Consideration 110

Chapter 5 The Push-Pull of Personal and Professional Demands 111

My New, Negatively Perceived Label:

Divorced, Single Working Mom 114

Tapping into the Village 117

Beautiful and Challenging Surprises 119

Choices 127

Adapt to the Unplanned 130

Integrate Mindfully 133

Questions for Consideration 134

Chapter 6 Asserting Yourself Through Your Brand 135

My Brand of Courage 137

Integrating Your Brand with Your Power 139

Different Setting, Same Brand 142

Setting Boundaries by Recognizing Your Brand 144

Bring Everyone In, Lift Everyone Up 147

Questions for Consideration 149

Chapter 7 Solving for Self and Clients: Assessing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 151

The Four Pillars of the DE&I Maturity Framework 157

The Maturity Framework in Action 161

We Can't Afford "Diversity Fatigue" 163

Voices Amplified for Social Justice and Human Rights 167

Building a More Inclusive Environment One Relationship at a Time 171

Questions for Consideration 172

Chapter 8 Network Like It's Your Own Dance Floor 173

Relationship Building 179

Opportunity Squandered 182

Help Me Understand 186

The Power of Elevating External Organizational Relationships 188

Questions for Consideration 190

Chapter 9 I Am Where I Earned to Be 191

Own It! 194

Now What? 199

Compete Is Not a Dirty Word 202

Are You Really Empowered? 206

Acknowledgments 211

About the Author 215

Index 221

NELLIE BORRERO is a Managing Director and Senior Global Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Strategic Advisor at Accenture. She is an award-winning DEI advocate and professional who works with leaders and teams to increase their ability to create a working environment where all people belong.

In Unwavering, award-winning inclusion advocate and executive Nellie Borrero delivers a refreshingly candid and honest account of her 35+ year career at Accenture, including the uncomfortable experiences that most authors don’t have the courage nor platform to write about. She guides you through the bold steps she took to create an inclusive work environment that set new standards for workforces everywhere.

Unwavering is a declaration of understanding and action. It demonstrates how to create impactful relationships that transform diversity and inclusion into a competitive business advantage that attracts, retains, develops, and advances talent while driving lasting results.

Borrero reveals how to remove barriers and claim space not just for yourself, but for others. As well as how to show up with the intention to strategically assert yourself and compete. It’s an ideal guide for anyone doing their best to negotiate their journeys up an increasingly slippery corporate ladder.

Borrero exposes what it really feels like to be a professional of color where daily biases adversely impact experiences within the corporate culture. She shines a bright light on the strategies to reject biases and intentionally navigate your career from the margins to center stage.

Unwavering is an essential roadmap to improved DEI practices that belongs on the bookshelves of board members, C-suite officers, executive leadership, middle management, and across junior levels. It provides frameworks for lasting change that help you make the shift from “awkward ally” to effective advocate, mentor, coach, and sponsor.

Praise for UNWAVERING

“Filled with the raw truth of what it is to be a woman of color in leadership, Nellie’s story is about challenges, passion, and making inclusion a competitive advantage. She shares her award-winning strategies, starting with smart moves everyone can make Monday morning. A must-read for people everywhere because we can’t wait any longer to get talent right.”
— Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach, New York Times bestselling author

“Nellie changed lives and a great organization by being courageous. Great companies have an uncommon proportion of leaders like Nellie, and I have the data to prove it.”
—Michael C. Bush, CEO, Great Place To Work

“Nellie’s experiences may shock some, yet they will empower all to be change agents. Get this book today and another copy for a colleague.”
—Leah McGowen-Hare, MSEd, Senior Vice President, Salesforce

“A book of lived truths. For those who wish to unleash their under-recognized greatness—whether you are an ‘awkward ally’ or you come from a diverse community—this book gives you agency to win together.”
— Sanyin Siang, Director of Duke University’s Coach K Leadership and Ethics Center

“Accenture has evolved into a globally recognized best place to work in large part due to Nellie’s grit. Get the full story, and how you can become a champion for inclusion in your company.”
— Rosa Ramos-Kwok, JPMorgan Chase Managing Director, Board Chair of the Hispanic IT Executive Council

“Talent has proven to be an engine of growth and innovation. Nellie represents the heart and soul of Accenture. She lives it and breathes it. Her book serves as a manual for how to bring together diverse talents to build a competitive advantage.”
— Sol Trujillo, Founder and Chairman, Trujillo Group; Chairman, LDC; Co-Founder, L’ATTITUDE