Breaking Through: The Making of Minority Executives in Corporate America - Hardcover

Thomas, David A.; Gabarro, John J.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0875848664 ISBN 13: 9780875848662

Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press, 1999

Synopsis

In one of the first in-depth studies to focus on minorities who have made it to the top, Breaking Through examines the crucial connection between corporate culture and the advancement of people of color. American companies may tout their equal opportunity initiatives, but with 95% of all executive-level positions in the United States held by white males, most of these programs clearly fall far short of their goals when it comes to diversifying upper management. Yet, even in the face of such overwhelming odds, some minority executives do break through to the highest leadership ranks. What can we learn from these success stories? The often surprising conclusions drawn by authors Thomas and Gabarro represent important milestones both for the study of organizational practice and for minorities planning their own course of professional achievement. Here are the determining factors—both individual and organizational—that correspond to the advancement of minority executives to the highest levels.

About this title

About the Author

David A. Thomas is a professor of organizational behavior at the Harvard Business School. John J. Gabarro is the UPS Foundation Professor of Human Resource Management at the Harvard Business School.

From the Back Cover

"It's about time someone took a serious, research-based look at what's going on with minority executives in corporate America. Thomas and Gabarro have produced a thoroughly documented, carefully reasoned work that deals frankly and effectively with the issue of race and managerial progress. This book is a must read for anyone serious about breaking through." (Morgan McCall, Professor of Management and Organization, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California and author of High Flyers: Developing the Next Generation of Leaders) "In this exciting, remarkably nuanced analysis, Thomas and Gabarro demonstrate how to create productive and equitable organizations in which all employees can flourish-a necessity for the diverse needs of the twenty-first century." (Lotte Bailyn, T Wilson (1953) Professor of Management, MIT Sloan School of Management, and author of Breaking the Mold: Women, Men, and Time in the New Corporate World) "Breaking Through sheds light on the obstacles that minorities face in corporate America and, through engaging real-life stories, provides invaluable advice for overcoming them. Thomas and Gabarro offer proven guidelines for individuals and corporations that seek to advance the contributions of minorities in the workplace." -George Herrera, President and CEO, The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce "Breaking Through provides clear insight into the issues confronting minorities in their pursuit of the executive suite. Real world examples coupled with keen analysis powerfully illustrate the obstacles to advancement. The minority executives profiled in these pages should be thanked for enriching this book with their stories." -David Hinds, Managing Director, Bankers Trust, and former President of the Executive Leadership Council "Breaking Through is a brilliant exploration of the ways that organizational diversity does and does not work. Thomas and Gabarro provide one of the most insightful and empirically grounded investigations into how diversity practices affect career development. Everyone concerned with this core American challenge must read this book." -Claude Steele, Professor and Chair, Stanford University Department of Psychology

Reviews

Against all odds, a few minority executives break through to the highest executive levels in corporate America. The aim of Thomas and Gabarro is to explain the processes of growth and advancement that produce minority executives by focusing on three companies that have been successful in developing people of color from entry level to executive. Concealing the identity of those companies in different industries, the authors examine both the individual and the organizational factors influencing minority promotion. Along with a detailed explanation of their research and findings, the authors offer lessons for minority aspirants as well as guidelines for corporations that want to develop minority executives more effectively. Advice to individuals includes building a network of developmental relationships, analyzing the record on minority promotions of a prospective employer, and understanding that race matters but that it alone doesn't determine fate. Their final counsel is that the road to the executive suite must be worth the price extracted from all individuals, especially minorities. Mary Whaley

Edition details

• Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0875848664
• ISBN 13: 9780875848662
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 368