Crack the C-Suite Code: How Successful Leaders Make It to the Top

by Cassandra Frangos

In Crack the C-Suite Code, Frangos reveals the hidden dynamics for reaching C-suite. She offers expert guidance based on her experience as a consultant at Spencer Stuart and former head of global executive talent at Cisco, a company with 70,000 employees. Her deep research on the topic includes candid interviews with CEOs, hundreds of aspiring C-suite candidates, and the leading experts in the field.

Frangos identifies four core paths you can follow to reach the the tenured executive, the free agent, the leapfrog leader, and the founder. To actively improve your chances for success, she



Insider knowledge from current CEOs and well-known executives Guiding questions that clarify the risks and rewards associated with each path Accelerators and derailers that either enhance or detract from your chances to succeed Advice on how to leverage your experience, leadership brand, and mind-set to help you land on the C-suite short list Insight on how the evolving role of the CEO affects your strategy to reach the top A career playbook for anyone who aspires to the top spot, Crack the C-Suite Code features advice from successful C-level leaders, including Accompany's Amy Chang, Goldman Sachs' Edith Cooper, Nest's Yoki Matsuoka, Cisco's Chuck Robbins, and Corning's Wendell Weeks. These and other top leaders from a broad range of companies, including Microsoft, Google, and General Electric, tell the stories of their success and help aspiring executives crack the C-suite code.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

Audible Audio

Published October 9, 2018

Reviews

[Gustavo Lichtenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspective, not a recipe

Good read. This book may be helpful with a couple of pointers. The author does a good job highlighting a series of possible ways to achieve the C-level. She also describes a series of interesting steps candidates should consider for career progression. Finally, she touches on interview questions and overall readiness.

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

With this book being under 100 pages, I was able to take in bits of this throughout my day at home and work. My biggest takeaway was the many different paths to get to the C-Suite level. I’ve read a few articles by Cassandra Frangos published by the Harvard Business Review and found those a bit more captivating than this book. Glad I read this one, but won’t be revisiting in the future.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy her articles in other venues but this book didn't resonate with me. It may be because I never felt compelled to get to the C-suite just for the sake of getting there. I really had no intention of doing so. But find myself here specifically based on an opportunity and what I can bring to the team. So maybe it's just more about different paths.

[Michael Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

A high-level summary of motivations and tactics that illustrated the most travelled routes to CEO. I finished the book and felt informed but less compelled to chase a C-Suite position. It helped me evaluate my own aspirations honestly. But was that the intended purpose of the book?

[David Klatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book - not earth-shattering.

I would recommend this book, it’s a good read. Can’t give 5 stars because it’s not everything, still a good read.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Good info to action against on the journey to career growth!

[Alyssa]

Career CEOs aren’t appealing to me, so a book that almost applauds the entitlement and push for a title for the sake of a title was a hard read for me to get into. Seemed well-researched at least.

[Dee’s Cozy Corner Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great gems