Cracking the corporate code : the revealing success stories of 32 African-American executives /

Cobbs (author and lecturer on African American executive leadership) and Turnock (management coach) interviewed 32 African American senior executives of major corporations such as PepsiCo and Merrill Lynch to reveal the obstacles and successes they experienced in moving to high corporate levels. Each executive mastered the corporate code--a cultural system of shared values and assumptions explaining how members of the corporation think, feel, and act. The authors organize the book through typical management topics such as dealing with ambiguity; managing race and gender discrimination; trying to fit in; understanding unwritten rules; managing relationships; engaging in entrepreneurship; and understanding, acquiring, and using power. Each chapter contains stories and quotes from the executives. Lengthy appendixes provide biographies of each executive and a summary of the Executive Leadership Council--a national organization consisting of senior African American executives promoting diversity, providing minority leadership education, and supporting this research. The Cultural Territories of Race: Black and White Boundaries, edited by Michele Lamont (CH, Jan '00), provides a wider perspective of the role of culture for African Americans in families, schools, and the workplace. An inspirational book, Cracking the Corporate Code is most suitable for corporate practitioners. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Professional and public library collections. G. E. Kaupins Boise State University

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

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. (May 27) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

How do you take a seat in the corporate boardroom when you feel that the door is shut in your face? Psychiatrist Cobbs (Black Rage) and Turnock, an executive coach and attorney, present the insights of 32 African American executives on their paths to leadership positions in prestigious companies. The authors take us for an excursion beyond the water cooler to see how these men and women figured out the game and played it successfully. The book is arranged by broad topics, such as learning to fit in, reading the "unwritten" rules of corporate culture, managing relationships, acquiring power, and leadership. As the authors note, these executives are not well known outside their immediate circles, but they have made tremendous contributions to their organizations and have blazed trails-much to the benefit of newcomers. At times, the piecemeal accounts of the executives and their careers give the book a disjointed feel. However, the authors do a great job of making the topic relevant to all corporate outsiders-those they define as lacking a feeling of entitlement and sense of belonging-regardless of race or gender. Recommended for all business collections.-Carol J. Elsen, Univ. of Wisconsin, Whitewater (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.