Good Is Not Enough: And Other Unwritten Rules for Minority Professionals

by Keith R. Wyche

A no-nonsense guide for minorities in business who want to make it to senior managementIn recent decades, corporate America has gotten better at recruiting minority talent. But despite their education and hard work, too many African Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans still find unique obstacles on the path to senior management. And there are too few minority mentors available to help them understand and overcome these challenges.Keith R. Wyche, a division president at a Fortune 500 company, is the perfect mentor for ambitious minority businesspeople at all levels. His book is filled with thought-provoking insights and practical advice based on his own experiences and those of the many people he has counseled. He discusses the importance Good Is Not Enough also includes anecdotes from prominent CEOs such as Ken Chenault of American Express, Richard Parsons of Time Warner, and Alwyn Lewis of Kmart.

Genres: Business, Professional Development, Nonfiction, Buisness

Hardcover

First published July 3, 2008

Reviews

[Vonetta · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should have read this before I read Lean In. The latter gave me more concrete steps and was written in a more positive tone. The tone of this book can be condescending, especially when it stresses obvious things like the importance of arriving to interviews on time and dressing professionally. Actually, to that end, I'd recommend everyone -- even men -- read Lean In instead.

[Divyesh Patel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay book that tells you what you already or should already know. Be more prepared than everyone else, work harder, be nice, communicate, etc. A good reminder for people who have lost their way. Lots of skimming and very high level scenarios without really deep diving into specific situations. A quick read.

[Adrienna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read business/career books in the past. This is an easy-quick read. There are "coaching tips", which are very valuable and beneficial to the reader or aspiring career-minded person.

There are key topics like "overcoming gender bias", "unique minority of one", and when to relocate for a job. Not to let anyone distract you from your goals, passions, and aspirations.

I was delighted to read through this book so fast. Key points I took from this book are: rejections teach you to be better prepared for the next interview (as an author, we face rejections in various ways...good point); betrayals teach you to be warier about putting your trust in unproven people; setbacks force you to consider alternative solutions and show you better options for success (this is good for new business owners and during the economical times where we have to reevaluate what items are worth spending on, back to the basics); and difference between those who overcome and those who quit that the overcomer persevered in the face of adversity. Then the author gives Joseph story from the Bible in reference to facing adversity and betrayal of brothers (what was intended for evil, God meant for good).

Keith even advises to have a mentor! Great advice!

[Tonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is like having a mentor in a book. The advice is useful. But I did more skimming than I think I should have. Maybe it is because this book addresses sales people moving up in corporations and that's not my area. But you write what you know and that's what the author did.

[Andrew T. Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, great author. Interview Keith R. Wyche on my radio show The Extra Effort Forum archived of the show can be heard at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/extraeff.... Very insightful lessons shared for navigating through corporate culture and life.

[Octavius Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very insightful while I was at home and going off too work.

[Meleka Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a great friend. I was having trouble moving up at my job. I thought I did everything I could. I did things to prepare myself for the next step but did not get recognized.

This book tells of the unwritten rules of minorities trying to move up in the corporate world. I realized that I was not made for that world but I took away some lessons. I realized that you always have to be exceptional. There are no off days for you. You have to be the exception and be able to reinvent yourself before your counterparts. You cannot just go a good job. You have to place yourself in front of the right people, get a mentor that can help you (one that has the attributes that you are looking for), and be ready to take criticism in all forms from that person.

It was an interesting book. It did not pertain to my situation specifically, but you can take gems here and there from it.

[johhh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. Contains lots of invaluable advice for minority professionals.

[Marcela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geared more towards people on management/executive track but plenty of good advice for career advancement. Wish I had read this years before.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Business Guidebook for Minority Professionals

In corporate America, working your way up the ladder means following a process. Until you understand this process, Keith R. Wyche warns, you might be stuck on the lower rungs. Many minority professionals already understand that ”good is not enough” for advancement. As a minority in business today – the minority president of the United States not withstanding – you still must be better at your job than your majority peers to gain the same rewards and recognition. However, even an exemplary performance alone is not enough. To know what else you need, heed Wyche’s advice as he explains the importance of public perceptions, personal branding and visibility, networking, mentoring, developing a long-term career plan and identifying potential career killers. His tips are valuable not only to his targeted readers – midmanagement minorities – but also to their majority counterparts. getAbstract recommends his astute counsel to minority professionals and to anyone else who is climbing that ladder toward a “C” title.

[Jeanetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

How can I become more strategic about developing a satisfying and financially rewarding career path? What am I already doing right and what might I start doing or learning? After reading this book, I'm developing my answers to these questions. Mr. Wyche's book in informative and encouraging. He identifies externally and internally imposed challenges and offers suggestions for how to work through those challenges.

[Wonderwoman · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title led me to believe this might provide unique advice for POC in the workplace but it's actually just a guide to being professional-period-so it's a good book for minorities that've never held a job before. The author worked in sales and as such he focuses on advice for those in corporate settings, so this isn't the best book for those in education, healthcare, or other non-profit arenas. It's not poorly written, just not the specific advice I need and can never seem to find.

[Lori Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read book on culture and diversity for knowledge workers and entrepreneurs.

[B Ayesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Interesting

[Meg Mirza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, basic information for any ambitious worker, especially those with MBAs who want to move up.

[ahkeno · Rating 4 out of 5]

must read if you dare to dream and want to work as executive role

[Andrea Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read and reference that can be used throughout your career. I took several pages of notes to reflect on and use in the upcoming year.

[Maryanne]

This was a good skimming book for me. A lot of what it said I've heard before but I work with plenty of people who haven't.