Speak Their Language, Keep Your Power

Prathan Powell
Jul 18
4 min read

Updated: Sep 23

by Prathan Powell

Hand taking chess king. Black and white photo of chessboard game.

Right now, corporate America is in another “season of shifting.” Layoffs are high, DEI budgets are low, and headlines are full of statements that sound inclusive — but act exclusive.

If you're a Black professional in HR, this isn’t new. You’ve seen the playbook. You’ve watched the enthusiasm fade after the hashtag. You’ve been asked to be the voice of the culture without being given the power to change it.

And yet — you’re still showing up. Still building. Still delivering.

But here’s the question: Are you moving strategically, or just managing survival?

In times like these, the difference between being heard and being hired — between being visible and being valuable — often comes down to one thing:

Language.

What We Can Learn From Wakanda Forever

Let’s go there for a second.

In Wakanda Forever, Shuri faces impossible odds — grief, political pressure, and enemies who speak with power, not peace. But the moment things shift is when she stops trying to reason with the system and starts speaking from her full position of strength — culturally, intellectually, and strategically.

She doesn’t just match their power. She reframes the entire conversation.

That’s the play.

Because “speaking their language” doesn’t mean giving up your own. It means learning how to translate your brilliance, your vision, your impact into terms that move decisions.

You don’t water down your message. You sharpen it.

So What Does Speaking Their Language Look Like?

It looks like understanding how power operates — and moving like you belong near it. Here's how you do that without losing yourself in the process:

Understand the Game

In HR, doing your job well is the baseline. Strategy starts when you learn how decisions are really made.

You need to know what keeps your executives up at night. Are they talking market share? Risk exposure? Headcount ROI?

If you’re still using HR-only language in your performance reviews and promotion convos, you’re missing the moment.

Start connecting your work to revenue, retention, and reputation. That’s when they start listening differently.

Build Proximity — And Learn the Dialect of Influence

Let’s be clear: networking isn’t just about knowing people — it’s about being known for something.

Proximity is power. That means being in rooms before the decisions are finalized. It means your name gets brought up because you’ve made yourself undeniable — not just visible.

Who knows you? Who champions you? Who speaks your name when you’re not there?

If you’re the only one in your org, you need a network outside of it that reminds you of your brilliance — and pushes you toward bigger tables.

Move Like a Business Leader — Not Just an HR Partner

If you want to be taken seriously in strategy conversations, show up with business insight.

Study your company’s quarterly reports. Know the difference between EBITDA and attrition. Bring people-first solutions that also hit business metrics.

The most effective HR leaders don’t just speak up when there’s a conflict. They speak the language of the CEO, the CFO, and the board — fluently.

You don’t need to change who you are. You just need to match your message to the moment.

Don’t Wait Until You’re Fluent to Make Power Moves

Let’s stop with the perfectionism.

Waiting until you feel “ready” is a luxury that often masks fear. You don’t need another certification to ask for the role. You don’t need 10 years of experience to apply. You don’t need to “deserve” strategy conversations to be in them.

Confidence is a language, too. And you learn to speak it by using it — not by overthinking it.

Join a Community That Speaks Your Language, Too

Let’s be honest. Navigating corporate culture while Black can feel like code-switching on autopilot. And if you're always translating for someone else, you forget what it feels like to be fully understood.

That’s why Black In HR exists.

It’s more than a membership. It’s your strategic ecosystem. A place where you don’t have to explain your value — you just build on it.

Inside the app, you’ll find:

Over 15,000 Black HR professionals — across levels, across cities, and across specialties
Real recruiter contacts on job posts — not just links to a black hole
Executive events, coaching, and career bootcamps built for our community
Support that’s strategic, not just sympathetic

It’s not just about connection. It’s about alignment. You walk in with experience — and walk out with elevation.

Real Talk: They Can’t Leverage What They Don’t Understand

And they won’t value what you don’t articulate.

So speak their language. Break down your impact. Show up with business insight and cultural fluency. Then pair that with strategic positioning, community, and clarity — and you’re no longer hoping for a breakthrough.

You’re building one.