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

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.

Reading Cracking the Corporate Code (CTCC) is like having conversations with the best mentors in the world.. When I first read it, I was in the middle of my fourth year as an associate at a major law firm in Silicon Valley. I was one of very few blacks, and I was struggling through work assignments and feeling so alienated. It was CTCC that gave me the confidence to look honestly at my law firm environment. I think every African-American lawyer should read this book!

As an American lawyer in London, I often feel isolated in an alien culture, even though everyone is speaking English. CTCC was given to me by a colleague who knows Judy Turnock. I was surprised to find how much I identified with the experiences of the corporate executives interviewed there. What they shared has given me even more respect for what so many people have sacrificed to make the promise of America a reality. It also made me proud of my small part in the cultural change underway in every workplace. I find myself turning to CTCC again and again. Wherever you work, read this book.

This is a fabulous book with lots of great stories, information and strategies on being successful in corporate America. This is a must read for ALL corporate professionals especially those seeking to craft their own strategy for growth in corporate America!!!!!

As a pragmatic middle manager that has set his sights on the corporate board room, I found this book invaluable for setting a realistic course for accomplishing my goal. The book doesn't spell out any secrets for ascending to the executive washroom, however it details and profiles the characteristics and sacrifices necessary to make it in today's hostile business climate. It also forces you to look at setbacks beyond the simple stereotypical "I didn't get promoted 'cause I'm Black." It also challenges younger minority managers to take up the mantle of diversity on the journey to the top.Overall, I gave this book a 5 because I expected it to be filled with a lot of "work twice as hard, you're the future" rah rah babblings. However, it was very insightful and very well presented. Best part of the book is the executive bio's listed at the very end.