There's No Elevator to the Top: A Leading Headhunter Shares the Advancement Strategies of the World's Most Successful Executives

As a young professional who is climbing the corporate ladder, I found There's No Elevator To The Top very insightful and enjoyable to read. The stories and anecdotes shared by the CEOs were very real and down to earth. Their messages and lessons can be applied to all levels of managements and industries. Ramakrishnan did a great job of breaking down the stereotypes of what we type of people we think CEOs are. In light of what is going on in Corporate America, it was great to read about CEOs that care and are real people.

There's No Elevator To The Top, might sound like a cliché but it was actually a compelling read. Unlike many other leadership books, and I have read many, this book offers refreshing and honest tips from CEO's all over the world. Ramakrishnan interviews CEO's from various industries and regions and seems to have a sound global perspective himself. The book showcases the global leaders as "real" people who have more in common with the average employee than one realizes. It outlines tips and experiences learned which have stuck with them throughout their careers. You can tell that Ramakrishnan was able to spend valuable one-on-one time with each CEO and it shows in their responses. It seems as if each person truly wanted to share secrets of their success. The book flows and is a great read during long flights. Well worth the time.

I was pleasantly surprised by the caliber of executives that contributed to this book. They are C-Level leaders of some of the most respected and well known companies in the world. I don't think this book was meant to re-invent the wheel. At the core of the book are basic fundamentals - things like hard work, dedication, preparation, and passion. But the book offers so much more. The stories that are told by the executives Ramakrishnan interviews are honest, refreshing, and overall captivating. Everyone defines success in their own way. If you aspire to truly have an impact on your organization, work your way up to the C-Suite, and ultimately be a leader, who better to get advice from than those that have a proven track record of doing it? The author impressed me with his overall knowledge of leadership, having placed executives in critical roles for many years. But he doesn't pretend to know the answers. Rather, he has brought a multitude of ideas together in an easy to read format. I would recommend reading the book with a highlighter, as there are a number of quotes worth reviewing on a regular basis. And just when you feel like you may be getting overwhelmed with information, each chapter closes with a nifty "executive summary" that outlines the key points. I enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it to any business professional.

I have read many leadership books - in fact, I began to read this one with guarded expectations, awaiting the standard advice of "listen more than talk" and "be nice to those who work for you." Refreshingly, Ramakrishnan's book reads more like a novel than the typical leadership book, offering smart insights into the C-suite of some of the world's most successful leaders. The pages flow and you catch yourself 30, 50, then 70 pages into the book, taking note of the advice provided by these executives without finding yourself losing patience with the all-too-often tiresome words of wisdom you've received form your college guidance counselor onwards. A good long-flight book or one that you can easily appreciate on a business trip. One note - don't be surprised if you don't instantly recognize all the executives in this book. This is truly a global book and Ramakrishnan takes us to places most US-centric leaderships guides do not. Well worth the time.