Big Think An inclusion expert explains why women of color are held back | Ruchika T. Malhotra
Nov 17, 2025
Ruchika T. Malhotra, CEO and founder of Candour, shares her insights on inclusion and systemic barriers facing women of color. She critiques the 'Lean In' narrative, arguing it misplaces responsibility onto individuals. Ruchika highlights the damaging effects of imposter syndrome and introduces her BRIDGE framework for fostering inclusivity: embrace discomfort, reflect, seek feedback, avoid defensiveness, learn from mistakes, and practice patience. Her perspectives challenge norms, urging leaders to cultivate authentic workplaces.
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Imposter Syndrome Is Misplaced
- Imposter syndrome has been pathologized and placed on women to fix.
- Ruchika T. Malhotra emphasizes the long-term damage this causes to careers and selfhood.
Author Challenges 'Opt-Out' Narrative
- Ruchika shares her background as CEO and author to ground her perspective.
- She rejects the idea that ambitious women voluntarily 'opt out' of careers based on her experience.
Hypervisible Yet Underestimated
- Women of color experience both hypervisibility and invisibility simultaneously.
- Malhotra reframes the problem as being underestimated rather than merely underrepresented.
