Errol Pierre argues in his ebook, The Manner Up: Climbing the Company Mountain as a Skilled of Colour, that reaching success within the company world is extra akin to scaling a mountain than climbing up steps on a ladder, particularly for professionals of shade.
Pierre’s function for scripting this 15-chapter guidebook is “to provoke and encourage these thousands and thousands of numerous workers who’ve managed to make it to white-collar administration however discover themselves pissed off on their path to turning into executives” (p. xi).
This ebook resonated with me as a Bronx-born African American lady with 15 years in public service. Having additionally grown up within the Bronx, one of many poorest New York boroughs, Pierre discovered from his Haitian immigrant father that onerous work, dedication, and sacrifice have been essential to success. These classes helped him keep the course when his management journey grew more and more advanced.
The ebook chronicles the writer’s rise by means of company America as a Haitian American to turn into Chief Working Officer (COO) at a significant New York company. Sprinkled all through the pages are quotes from 13 influential executives of shade.
I discovered the insights of different well-known leaders fascinating, as a result of they resonated with what the writer was saying and made the ebook extra relatable to me. Each chapter concludes with a management tip Pierre has acquired throughout his travels that he then passes on to the reader.
Famous in Chapter 9: Navigate and Survive Unhealthy Bosses are examples of challenges leaders of shade could face whereas advancing of their careers. As an illustration, the trail to the C-suite isn’t easy, usually blocked by obstacles not sometimes confronted by their white colleagues. Dealing with a biased or racist supervisor is a matter Pierre tackles head-on, providing sensible recommendation. He sufficiently covers the which means of implicit bias. He additionally shares methods for coping, such because the “Three Strikes” Rule, getting ready for brave conversations, and taking courageous steps to confront or keep away from a biased boss (which may embody outright quitting). I discovered this recommendation particularly useful for these powerless towards unhealthy management.
The Manner Up is an interesting learn for any rising chief of shade, no matter career. Pierre’s biography as a first-generation Haitian American is among the ebook’s strengths. All through the textual content, Pierre encourages readers to attempt for excellence, from giving again to the group to leaving one thing memorable behind.
As an advocate of management by means of service, I attempt to embody the values that social work promotes in my day by day life. Pierre’s message is a stable testomony to the ethos of servant management and being the change we want to see on the earth.
The Manner Up presents useful self-improvement recommendation and could be a reference for college students of shade, social staff, instructors, profession facilities, and personal practitioners. Thus, it might complement social welfare coursework in cultural competency; Variety, Fairness, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB); and organizational management.
Reviewed by Shakima Tozay, MSW, LICSW, CCM, PMH-C, CDP, Senior Social Employee, Division of Veteran Affairs.
