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

by Price M. COBBS, Judith L. TURNOCK

Overview

In exclusive, eye-opening interviews, this book dives into the lives and careers of 32 notable professionals who recount their impressive and differing career trajectories, revealing what motivated and discouraged them, their sources of support and conflict, and the strategies they developed to excel in organizations and major corporations.

Over the last few decades, advances by African-Americans in the business world have been both impressive and well-documented. However, even a cursory glance at the statistics -- not to mention a look around most corporations -- reveals that, despite much progress, minority executives are still relatively few and far between. Whether in the form of insensitivity, change-averse corporate cultures, socio-economic factors, or outright racism, African-Americans still face very real obstacles along the path to professional success.

Rather than offer these inspiring stories as individual biographies, Cracking the Corporate Code have identified their common threads, analyzing what they reveal to you about:

• Reconciling the ambiguities inherent for black professionals in corporate culture
• Trusting your own abilities and potential while managing the ever-present issue of race
• Overcoming isolation to establish not only your place in the organization but also a voice that will be heard and respected
• Reading the unwritten rules and developing the "sixth sense" necessary to play the game
• Cultivating and managing the relationships that will be crucial to securing more meaningful and influential positions
• Understanding what true power is, how to compete for and acquire it, and how to translate it into substantial leadership Opportunities for success abound for African-Americans

For the last 40 years, the best of the best have been stepping up to seize -- and often create -- those opportunities. The next generation of black professionals will travel the paths blazed by the pioneers profiled in this landmark book, and will be poised to achieve even greater results?while continuing the legacy of diversity for the generations yet to come.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814431139
Publisher:	AMACOM
Publication date:	04/21/2003
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	17 Years

About the Author

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

Table of Contents

"Foreword by Steve Teinemund, CEO, PepsiCo, Inc.

Introduction: Settin the Record Straight

1. Ambiguity

2. Managing Your Demons

3. Fitting In

4. ""Reading"" Unwritten Rules

5. Making Your Mark

6. Managing Relationships

7. Understanding Power

8. Acquiring Power

9. Using Power for Leadership

10. From Big Business to My Business

11. Diversity Legacy I: Inside the Corporation

12. Diversity Legacy II: In the Community

Biographies of the Executives Interviewed

Snapshot: Executive Leadership Council"

What People are Saying About This

Kennedy

Anyone who is an "outsider"in American business can learn the real competencies& mindsets that "insiders"kids learn at the dinner table.

From the Publisher

"Publishers Weekly: "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."

Foreword: "For young African-Americans climbing the corporate ladder, this book provides excellent advice—but its usefulness doesn’t stop there. It will be helpful to anyone who has been sidelined professionally without knowing why….compelling reading as well as an excellent education in how to rise within an organization."

Joyce Lain Kennedy, syndicated columnist: "[Cracking the Corporate Code] is a work that both inspires and instructs. Anyone who is an "outsider" in American business can learn the real competencies and mindsets that "insiders'" kids learn at the dinner table…. this is a must-have guide for people of color and young women who feel as though they're swimming against the tide."

NV magazine: “Cracking the Corporate Code instills positive insight for the young and often challenged executive, presenting stories of hope, change and the ability to succeed despite obstacles….these 32 thought-provoking and motivational life lessons are must-haves for the determined urban professionals.”"

ForeWord Magazine 2003

makes for compelling reading as well as an excellent education in how to rise within an organization.
—July, 2003

Editorial Reviews

Let me say you don't have to be African-American to learn a great deal from this perceptive book about power in the corporate world.
— Connie Martinson Talks Books

The Beverly Hills Courier

Makes for compelling reading as well as an excellent education in how to rise within an organization.

Foreward Magazine

Cracking the Corporate Code instills positive insight for the young and often challenged executive, presenting stories of hope, change and the ability to succeed despite obstacles?.these 32 thought-provoking and motivational life lessons are must-haves for the determined urban professionals.

NV magazine

Offers valuable business lessons for women and people of color striving for career success...Uplifting book.
—Vernon Hills, IL June 2003

Legal Management

is a work that both inspires and instructs.
—syndicated columnist

Joyce Lain Kennedy

For young African-Americans climbing the corporate ladder, provides excellent advise [...] an excellent education in how to rise within an organization.

Foreword

these stories are an inspiration for anyone facing self-doubt and isolation in the competitive world of corporate America.

Booklist

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.
—May 1, 2003

Library Journal

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) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly