July 18th marks Black Leaders Awareness Day (BLAD) and it made me think about my experiences as a black woman in business, and throughout my life.

For black leaders/ entrepreneurs, we are set to different standards. We are programmed to strive for perfection. Because our best is rarely good enough to win through, we have to be excellent. An example of this was clearly illustrated by the UEFA European Football Championships 2020 when three black English players, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, and Bukayo Saka, missed their penalties.

Like many black people, they are not afforded mistakes; simply put, we are judged differently. Naturally, we drive ourselves forward with such pressures and can become hard on ourselves when things do not work out as planned.

For Sancho, Rashford and Saka, their non-black teammates would have been forgiven by fans and alike. Without a doubt, there would have been anger, abuse and disappointment followed by the usually anticipated mayhem. However, at no point would skin colour be a factor.

Until more highly profiled black leaders in all sectors are present, these situations will continue until there is more diversity. Because the more we are visible, the less we will be seen as minorities or lesser.

I will always strive for excellence in all areas of my life, but it comes to a point when we are all trying our best; this should be considered good enough.