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Please Sit Over There: How to Manage Power, Overcome Exclusion, and Succeed as a Black Woman at Work
The key to your career advancement is understanding how power works--who has it, where it hides, and how it's used.
Please Sit Over There
teaches Black women the career skills they need to navigate an uneven playing field and achieve long-lasting professional success.
Black women continuously navigate systems that were never intended for them while playing by a set of rules they never agreed to or were ever trained for.
In this book, Francine Parham shares her knowledge as a Black woman and a former global executive of two major corporations on how to move up in the workplace while maintaining a sense of sanity. The key skill--one that Black women are rarely taught--is understanding the power dynamics within your organization and learning how to shift the power to your advantage. Parham shows how to use your voice, strategically build the right relationships, and support others once you have achieved a powerful position--tools any woman can use to increase her power and ensure a successful, fulfilling career.
Parham says Black women are already empowered; there is no shortage of qualified professional Black women in the talent pipeline. But it does not feel empowering when organizations force Black women to work every day to overcome biases, discriminatory institutional practices, and unwritten rules of power at play that hinder their career development and professional advancement.
Please Sit Over There honors the painstaking work being undertaken to deconstruct broken institutions and demonstrates how Black women can achieve their goals while those institutions still exist-effectively opening doors for all women of color.
Black women continuously navigate systems that were never intended for them while playing by a set of rules they never agreed to or were ever trained for.
In this book, Francine Parham shares her knowledge as a Black woman and a former global executive of two major corporations on how to move up in the workplace while maintaining a sense of sanity. The key skill--one that Black women are rarely taught--is understanding the power dynamics within your organization and learning how to shift the power to your advantage. Parham shows how to use your voice, strategically build the right relationships, and support others once you have achieved a powerful position--tools any woman can use to increase her power and ensure a successful, fulfilling career.
Parham says Black women are already empowered; there is no shortage of qualified professional Black women in the talent pipeline. But it does not feel empowering when organizations force Black women to work every day to overcome biases, discriminatory institutional practices, and unwritten rules of power at play that hinder their career development and professional advancement.
Please Sit Over There honors the painstaking work being undertaken to deconstruct broken institutions and demonstrates how Black women can achieve their goals while those institutions still exist-effectively opening doors for all women of color.
- GenresBusiness
180 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2022
11 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 9, 2024
This is the best career advice book I’ve ever read. She doesn’t shy away from the real stuff, and it made me feel less crazy about the 4D chess I feel like I play in the workforce — it’s real! I want to give this to everyone I hire.
May 26, 2024
A quick, effective, and relatable intro to navigating power dynamics as a Black womxn.
June 6, 2023
As a white man, I found Please Sit Over There to be an insightful read. Around 80% of the book offers valuable professional advice that is applicable to anyone, regardless of their background. However, what sets this book apart is the remaining 20%, where Parham provides clear guidance for black women on navigating the unwritten rules of corporate culture and achieving and maintaining power within it. These unwritten rules are often shaped by individuals who benefit from privilege. Reading this book allowed me to gain insight into the unique challenges black women may face on their journey to the top, and I was not disappointed.
Furthermore, Parham goes beyond individual advice and includes a section dedicated to actionable steps that leaders can take to support the success of black women in reaching powerful positions within their organizations. This aspect is crucial for aspiring allies who wish to actively contribute to creating an inclusive workplace.
I highly recommend this book, particularly to white leaders who are committed to practicing anti-racism in their professional lives. Remember that Please Sit Over There focuses specifically on helping black women succeed, rather than catering to the experiences of white men.
Furthermore, Parham goes beyond individual advice and includes a section dedicated to actionable steps that leaders can take to support the success of black women in reaching powerful positions within their organizations. This aspect is crucial for aspiring allies who wish to actively contribute to creating an inclusive workplace.
I highly recommend this book, particularly to white leaders who are committed to practicing anti-racism in their professional lives. Remember that Please Sit Over There focuses specifically on helping black women succeed, rather than catering to the experiences of white men.
September 10, 2022
What a wonderfully written book. Francine shares her past experiences that helped shape the boss she is today. The advice she offers is timely and is adjustable to where readers are in their careers. I found myself nodding at familiar incidents I’ve gone through, and cheering the great things have happened in spite of the negative events. I’ve been fortunate to have good advisors in my corner that have helped me move along in my career, both vertically and horizontally when it was time to move on to a new experience.
I want to thank Francine for putting together a book that can help those new in their careers to those of us who are closer to retirement than a first job.
I want to thank Francine for putting together a book that can help those new in their careers to those of us who are closer to retirement than a first job.
November 12, 2022
This book was right on time in my life and truly an amazing read. I read this book with a book club and we really dove deep into many of the lessons Francine imparted. This book is full of knowledge if you want to navigate corporate spaces and just have an overall insight for how you can elevate yourself and your career.
October 11, 2022
If you ever wanted to "pick the brain" of a high-level executive, here's your chance. Francine has demonstrated experience and if you're new to the corporate world, she's dropping gems just for you.
October 18, 2022
Some of the advice was really useful. Would have given 5 stars if it weren’t for the constant victimization narrative.
February 6, 2023
A must read! I wish I had this book when I was 25 and learning how to navigate the working world. I will definitely be buying copies for the young women in my life.
August 27, 2023
The career lessons Parham learned are insightful and valuable. I will be recommending this book to the BIPOC graduates I work with.
May 8, 2023
Great read for everyone!
Francine tells meaningful stories and provides actionable steps and discussions in plain language. It’s a must read for anyone who wants an insiders view of what it feels like to not be in the majority at work. If you consider yourself an ally you’ll read, share and discuss this book!
Francine tells meaningful stories and provides actionable steps and discussions in plain language. It’s a must read for anyone who wants an insiders view of what it feels like to not be in the majority at work. If you consider yourself an ally you’ll read, share and discuss this book!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews