Leading in Black and White: Working Across the Racial Divide in Corporate America Hardcover - 2002 - 1st Edition

Summary

First line

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From the rear cover

Many blacks in the workplace face a set of dynamics unique to being African American in a traditionally white, male-dominated world. In this landmark book, authors Ancella Livers and Keith Caver-- co-facilitators of the Center for Creative Leadership's African-American Leadership Program for the past five years-- explain how the leadership experience for blacks is radically different from the experiences of their white colleagues. These differences, of which most white managers are unaware, can lead to miscues and distortions in communication and ultimately get in the way of effective performance and optimal productivity for organizations. In Leading in Black and White, the authors not only clearly explain how things go wrong, they also provide sensible solutions for both the white manager and the black manager on how to make them right.
Drawing on research findings, personal experiences, and interviews, the authors have identified six significant areas (perceptions of identity, taking responsibility for other blacks, attention to race and gender, challenges in networking, greater need for mentoring, and approaches to office politics) in which black leaders interpret and interact in the workplace differently from others.
Leading in Black and White

• Uses real workplace situations and stories to explore the assumptions that cause miscues between black managers and those who work with them.
• Validates and organizes for black leaders what they always suspected was different about their perceptions and performance in the workplace.
• Provides specific recommendations for black leaders on how they can acknowledge, accept, and manage their differences.
• Provides specific advice for those who work with black leaders on how to recognize differences and use this information to enhance workplace relationships.

From the jacket flap

Many blacks in the workplace face a set of dynamics unique to being African American in a traditionally white, male-dominated world. In this landmark book, authors Ancella Livers and Keith Caver-- co-facilitators of the Center for Creative Leadership's African-American Leadership Program for the past five years-- explain how the leadership experience for blacks is radically different from the experiences of their white colleagues. These differences, of which most white managers are unaware, can lead to miscues and distortions in communication and ultimately get in the way of effective performance and optimal productivity for organizations. In Leading in Black and White, the authors not only clearly explain how things go wrong, they also provide sensible solutions for both the white manager and the black manager on how to make them right.
Drawing on research findings, personal experiences, and interviews, the authors have identified six significant areas (perceptions of identity, taking responsibility for other blacks, attention to race and gender, challenges in networking, greater need for mentoring, and approaches to office politics) in which black leaders interpret and interact in the workplace differently from others.
Leading in Black and White

• Uses real workplace situations and stories to explore the assumptions that cause miscues between black managers and those who work with them.
• Validates and organizes for black leaders what they always suspected was different about their perceptions and performance in the workplace.
• Provides specific recommendations for black leaders on how they can acknowledge, accept, and manage their differences.
• Provides specific advice for those who work with black leaders on how to recognize differences and use this information to enhance workplace relationships.

Media reviews

Citations

• Library Journal, 12/01/2002, Page 144