Dr. Ceballos Publishes as Lead Author!

Dr. Ceballos’s First Lead Pub

This research series on impression management began in 2018 during a time when Black women were being fired in the workplace for wearing their hair naturally. Dr. Ceballos found this to be deeply unjust, and, given that she had also experienced discrimination in the workplace, she wanted to do something about it. She partnered with a colleague while working at the University of Houston-Downtown, who then invited another colleague to join. Initial literature review turned up little to no research on discrimination in the workplace on the basis of hair.

Thus, using inductive reasoning, search results began to bring up articles on impression management. The research team then began to brainstorm and thought, “let’s survey both men and women of color in leadership positions”. As with all research, limitations existed and the investigators relied on snowball sampling through personal networks.

The first study focused on women leaders of colors, then male leaders of color and finally a comparison exploratory study between the two genders. Results indicated that, overall male leaders of color tended had a higher use of Impression Management (IM) tactics versus women. Additionally, they had a higher mean score in their use of supplication. Thus, furthering the conversation and need for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the workplace. Access to the full article can be found here.