How do we become the gatekeepers?

"Do you have a moment?" I turned and saw my senior colleague, Paul (not his real name), a mentor and sponsor, at my office door.

- Dr. Valentina Greco, Tribune News Service

"Come on in!" I said — excited to have a chat with him. We engaged in small talk before he said, "I am worried for your career. Would you consider taking classes to correct your accent?" The air left my body; I was stunned. Where was that coming from?! And why now, when I was thriving professionally? And why me and not my husband, a man also with an accent being considered for a senior role? After that day, I found it difficult to speak with Paul or anyone. I became painfully aware of my voice. I did not hear my accent, but after Paul's question, I began to doubt that I could speak English at all. I would say something and immediately wonder — did it come out OK? Was that expression on my interlocutor’s face an indication they did not understand me? I would stutter or find myself unable to recall words I knew well. I felt uncomfortable and alone in a world that just hours ago had been my (professional and personal) home.