In her 2019 memoir, “The Truths We Hold,” Kamala Harris wrote: “Words are very powerful, and those in power, whose words can travel the farthest and fastest, have an obligation, a duty, to speak with precision and wisdom. “
He was right. Harris has less than four months to win the trust of America and ask people to get used to a wholly unfamiliar idea: a black woman occupying the highest political position in the country. And the most powerful tool in her arsenal is her words.
Harris’ coverage throughout the vice presidency has repeatedly mocked her speech. Rival presidential candidate Donald Trump often mocks his speaking style. Right-wing pundits call them “word salad.” In the example of the viral “coconut tree” line, his detractors called his language “strange” and “mystifying,” even as quotes inspired a flurry of memes.
In the face of all this, some can say that Harris should work on her words – used to show herself as a powerful and capable leader, not just a punch line.
He would be wrong.
American society closely scrutinizes leaders, especially women of color, and places them somewhere on a continuum between “dominant” and “warm.” Some leaders choose to emphasize dominance – they cross their arms, reference power and competition and rarely smile. Harris’ choice for warmth – his quick laugh, seemingly easy grin and reference to health and family in what has been called “self-help” style – is a brilliant strategy that could win him the presidency. This warmth helps them avoid the backlash that women, and women of color in particular, have to face to show their strength.
Female leaders must walk a fine line between stern leadership and pleasant friendliness. Don’t be emotional, but don’t be cold. Take responsibility, but don’t be the boss. This impossible balancing act (well described in her famous “Barbie” monologue) is an impossible test that many female leaders, including Hillary Clinton, have failed. As a woman of color, Harris faces a higher bar. And he must have known.
In a recently published study, I asked dozens of Black female managers to tell me about their approach to leadership. I first asked each imagine she was the first and only Black woman in a high-profile leadership role. I then asked them to describe whether they were trying to show dominance or warmth in the leadership style they would adopt. And how will others react to this?
The manager said he would prefer to adopt a warm leadership style – and he expected more punishment, including backlash, for dominant leadership. White women say the opposite. They say that they will not use a warm leadership style and rather expect punishment for warm leadership.
Michelle Obama, one of the most famous black women in the world, alluded to the backlash that black women can face for dominance. During her 2018 book tour, she referenced Sheryl Sandberg’s famous “lean in” mantra, joking, “it’s – it doesn’t work all the time” – a comment she received (you should).
Do black female leaders really expect punishment for showing dominance? To find out, I collected 250,000 comments made by hundreds of Black and white members of Congress, including Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Beto O’Rourke and Barack Obama. I then collected 18,000 editorials written about the same politician during his congressional tenure. Black female congressmen who more often use dominant language on the floor of the House or Senate – words such as “assertive,” “competitive” and “strong” – more often reporters write about them using cold language – words such as “rude” and “no liked.” There was no such reaction to the white women’s congress, the black congress or the white congress.
It’s not just journalists who condemn black female leaders who use dominant language — voters do, too. I asked more than 800 American voters to check the social media profiles of politicians, which they think are real. In fact, the profile was faked for study purposes. The more black women use dominant language in their profiles and tweets, the less favorable voters rate them. White women who use the same type of language don’t get that reaction.
The data is clear: Black women are hopeful and trying not to back down. For them, conveying dominance through speech can spell disaster.
Considering how accomplished he is, criticizing Harris as unserious or uncompetitive because he chooses a warm project would be stupid. It will also overlook the fact that Black women know everything very well.
Cydney Hurston Dupree is associate professor of organizational behavior at the University College London School of Management. @cydneydupree
