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Cracking the Corporate Code: The Revealing Success Stories of 32 African-American Executives
Books: Text Books: Corporate: Item 8
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Cracking the Corporate Code: The Revealing Success Stories of 32 African-American Executivesby Price M. Cobbs and Judith L. Turnock
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: Insightful Advice for Rising [Black] Executives, November 8, 2005 Reviewer:Roger E. Herman (Greensboro, NC USA) - Over 250 Black men and women have risen to senior positions in major corporations. Along their climb, these leaders have learned, grown, achieved, and influenced as highly effective executives. They have overcome the challenges of being Black, complicating the normally difficult path of moving up the corporate hierarchy. That's the primary story of this book. At least, that's the premise of a book subtitled "The Revealing Success Stories of 32 African-American Executives." All that aside, I gained a lot from this book. I'm not Black. I'm not a high level executive of a major corporation. I'm a Certified Management Consultant. I help executives do a better job as leaders. To give developing executives the answers they need to succeed, I'd recommend careful reading of this book. Page after page delivers valuable lessons in a captivating way. The design of this book is quite effective. Chapters headed Ambiguity, Managing Your Demons, Fitting In, Reading Unwritten Rules, Making Your Mark, Managing Relationships, and several aspects of power weave meaningful lessons together into a amazing package of advice. Cobbs and Turnock teach through their own words, illuminated beautifully by mentoring lessons from the 32 selected executives. The role models are liberally quoted, giving them a powerful platform to share their experiences and advice with readers. Their testimonials give so much to those who follow them. The primary target of this book might be considered rising executives from diverse backgrounds. The demographic description goes far beyond Black men and women. Everyone can gain from this growth tool. I particularly commend it to young people in college and even in high school. You will learn, be inspired, and be freed to achieve far beyond where you ever thought you might go. My copy of this book will be donated to the library at Hiram College, the Ohio liberal arts college that gave me the boost to achieve what I have in life. I trust it will inspire others to reach for their highest potential.
From Publishers Weekly
At a time when the debate over affirmative action and quotas rages unabated, psychiatrist and management consultant Cobbs and attorney Turnock have surveyed more than 30 influential African-American executives to discuss their strategies for dealing with racial, cultural and organizational challenges. Combining strong narrative and stirring quotes from the executives, the authors tackle a number of issues, including race and gender bias in the workplace, isolation, the rules of the workplace, achievement, leadership, understanding and sharing power, competition and diversity. David Hinds, a former Deutsche Bank director, speaks of neutralizing racial prejudice at his job; Margaret Jordan, a former Kaiser v-p, addresses what she sees as the cold treatment of women employees; and veteran Salomon Brothers exec Milt Irvin explains how successful results can overcome adversity. Some contributors stress the importance of mentors, and knowing how to compete, when to focus, how to keep one's ego in check and forming an effective strategy in attaining goals. For others, the supreme achievement is acquiring enough capitalist savvy to open their own business so they can earn their fortune without the grind of corporate jockeying and gamesmanship. Happily, there are few repetitions in the opinions offered, and a lack of finger-pointing and blaming. This is a smart, memorable collection of business wisdom that should provide inspirational guidance for young African-Americans considering a career in the corporate world.
Copyright 2003 Reed business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
In 1965, African Americans were almost unknown in corporate America, except as laborers or assembly-line workers. Today, more than a quarter million black Americans thrive in the upper ranks as corporate managers and executives. Yet, despite social change and legal reform, this group faces unique challenges because unspoken obstacles still exist to outsiders of this traditionally white-male-dominated club. The 32 African American senior corporate executives who are profiled here are not household names, but they have contributed to the success of top Fortune 500 companies, such as Pepsi, Kraft, GE, Merrill Lynch, American Express, and Chrysler. Rather than telling each individual's story separately, the authors devote each chapter to a common challenge that this group faces, such as "Managing Your Demons," "Fitting In," and "Understanding Power." Framed by these common threads, the subtle issues that people of color and women face every day in the workplace are revealed; these stories are an inspiration for anyone facing self-doubt and isolation in the competitive world of corporate America. David Siegfried
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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