Cracking the Corporate Code: The Revealing Success Stories of 32 African-American Executives - Hardcover

Cobbs, Price M.; Turnock, Judith L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0814407714 ISBN 13: 9780814407714

Publisher: Amacom Books, 2003

Synopsis

Examines the lives and careers of thirty-two African Americans who have risen through the ranks of American businesses to positions of power, recounting their career trajectories, motivations, support systems, and strategies.

About this title

About the Author

Price M. Cobbs (San Francisco, CA) is a psychiatrist and management consultant, and the author ofBlack Rage and The Jesus Bag . Judith L. Turnock (New York, NY) is an attorney, executive coach, and lifelong civil rights advocate.

Reviews

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.

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

Edition details

• Publisher: Amacom Books
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0814407714
• ISBN 13: 9780814407714
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304