Home | Education & Distance Learning Articles | Article

Leadership And Management Skills - rising to the top

Black Enterprise - February 1, 2001

The corporate landscape is changing and with it, history is being made. Since the 1970s, African Americans have been paving inroads across frontiers that were uninviting and often difficult to navigate. However, perseverance paid off and no longer could the accomplishments of many ambitious, black corporate mavericks be ignored. The past few years have yielded a new black guard that has seized the opportunities and garnered greater rewards, power and authority as a result. These pioneers have also become the standard bearers of the corporate world's African American leadership.

Rising to the top

The most notable member of this coterie is Kenneth I. Chenault, a 20-year veteran of American Express who, in November, rose to the helm of the financial services company. Chenault's ascension has placed him on the short list of African Americans selected to run a Fortune 500 company, Also on that list is A. Barry Rand who became chairman and CEO of Avis Rent A Car, the $4 billion rental car operation. Lloyd D. Ward was named chairman and CEO of Maytag Corp., the $4 billion home and commercial appliances company and John W. Thompson took over as chairman, president, and CEO of Symantec Corp., the worldwide leader in personal computer utilities. In 1999, Franklin D. Raines was appointed chairman and CEO of Fannie Mae, the largest nonbank financial services company in the world. Others handed the CEO reigns were Clifford L. Alexander Jr. of Dun & Bradstreet Corp. and Erroll B. Davis Jr. of Alliant Energy Corp.

"This kind of leadership promotes a diverse corporate culture. That culture brings about a more productive environment," says Camilla McGhee, director of membership and foundation programs at the Executive Leadership Council (ELC) in Washington, D.C. "These executives are role models for the next generation of business leaders. While young people respect the history of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King it's hard for them to relate. They can better identify with these living legends and emulate their career paths." Since its inception 14 years ago, the ELC's membership has grown to include more than 200 African American men and women in senior level, executive positions who are committed to corporate diversity and guiding and mentoring the next generation of African American business leaders.

Cultivating that next generation is a challenge. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Division of Labor Force Statistics, there were 19 million executives, managers and administrators in the U.S. labor force in 1998 (the most recent statistics available at press time). Of that number, 7.2% were black. In 1988, only 5.6% of the nation's executives, managers and administrations were African American; by 1991 that number had grown slightly to 5.7%.

Despite their much-heralded appointments, these "living legends" have not been shielded from the career obstacles and landmines associated with corporate America. Rand will soon face the challenges associated with Avis' potential buyout by Cendant Corp., the franchising giant whose brands include Century 21 realtors and Howard Johnson hotels. In November, Ward announced his resignation from Maytag citing differences with the board over business strategy and direction. Nevertheless, there is no mistaking that the contributions of this CEO espirit de corps and other African American professionals are increasingly being recognized and rewarded. Yet, these spoils come with a price.

Up for the challenge

College students and seasoned professionals alike must recognize that these promotions didn't happen by chance. Career planning is key. Hard work and determination play a critical role in the molding of any career. While the Chenaults and the Raines' may have taken different roads in order to achieve their goals, they undoubtedly applied winning strategies that are intrinsic to building a successful career. The three-pronged approach to any career success includes having a distinct and thorough knowledge of the career desired; it requires the ability to chart a path to get there and then there needs to be the motivation and devotion necessary to put the plan into action.

More than a quarter of a million African-American men and women hold varying levels of managerial and executive responsibility in corporate careers around the globe," notes authors Price M. Cobbs and Judith L. Turnock in their recently released book that profiles 32 members of the ELC, Cracking the Corporate Code: From Survival to Mastery, Real Stories of African American Success." The rising numbers stem from many factors, chief among them, societal changes, the opening of higher education, the new economy and, of course, their own steely determination to succeed against all odds."

That determination is what counts. If time and chance have their way, the number of African Americans in the executive suite will increase as their numbers in the corporate workplace continues to grow. However, in the evolving corporate culture, African Americans must be risk-takers with strong management skills and technical savvy. Social and professional networks play a critical role in career development. Success requires confidence, the ability to solve problems, practice independent thinking, make decisions making and eventually find the answers. It also demands a thorough assessment of one's values, skills, interests and abilities. It then requires focus. Only by focusing can true career success and fulfillment be achieved.

Turn the page and read about other successful African Americans at leading U.S. corporations. Learn about educational tools/paths available as foundation for a successful career path.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS: DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS

THE DUKE MBA - WEEKEND EXECUTIVE

The Duke MBA - Weekend Executive program equips professionals with a competitive edge essential in today's rapidly changing, global business environment - without interrupting their careers.

Ranked #4 in the nation in U.S. News & World Report's 1999 annual survey of executive MBA programs, Duke combines top-ranked academics with a network of established executives from many different industries. The carefully orchestrated 20-month curriculum maintains classroom continuity without sidetracking the student's ongoing contributions in corporations. Solid academics, combined with a world-class cohort of fellow students, distinguishes The Duke MBA - Weekend Executive program.

The Weekend Executive program is specifically designed for rising executives with, preferably, 7 years professional experience and a demonstrated steady career progression with increased responsibility. Meeting every other weekend for twenty months, students gain the necessary skills to anticipate and meet an ever-widening range of business challenges. Graduates benefit from a solid foundation designed to serve a lifetime.

Since it began in 1984, Duke's Weekend Executive program has continued to grow in reputation, applicant quality and company support. It has provided more than 1,000 managers from 25 states, Canada and Puerto Rico an unsurpassed grounding in the fundamentals of business.

Whether employed by a Fortune 500 company or an entrepreneurial start-up, students in The Duke MBA - Weekend Executive program develop the ability to:

* Think strategically in the face of increasingly competitive challenges.

* Lead, as well as, work effectively in teams.

* Understand the total organization.

* Think globally.

To learn more about how The Duke MBA - Weekend Executive can help you and your company gain competitive advantage. Contact us today:

Tel (919) 660-7804

Fax (919) 660-8044

E-mail weekendexec@fuqua.duke.edu www.business.duke.edu

GOIZUETA BUSINESS SCHOOL - EMORY UNIVERSITY ATLANTA, GA

The Goizueta Business School MBA Program offers students the opportunity to pursue an MBA in a flexible, innovative environment. Students are encouraged to work closely with professors, to individualize a course of study, and to customize career goals. The core curriculum includes "flex-core", allowing students to take electives earlier in the program. In addition, our new seminar, Goizueta Plus, is designed to enhance entrepreneurial leadership skills. With locations and specific modules that vary from year to year, focus modules involve trips such as to Wall Street, South Africa and Beijing or may zero in on a key business or industry issue.

Goizueta B- School students have the opportunity to study abroad in exchange currently offered with twenty-seven universities in such countries as Austria, Costa Rica, England, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Venezuela, Korea and China.

1 2 3 4 5 6 Next »

If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised in this article with hundreds of other Education & Distance Learning enthusiasts from around the world, please feel free to visit the discussion forums & post a message.

Discuss this article in the discussion forums now.

Popular Education & Distance Learning Discussions From The Past

Similarities (3 posts)
by Lennie - Last post on: 10-14-03 22:06
I would like to know whether most discussion forums are identical in terms of how they look and appear on your screen - I am new to this forum, and it looks a lot like DegreeInfo. Any reason? Just interested. Looking forward to posting here. --- View this thread: http://www.online-college.info... (Read More)

Re: BARRELS OF INFIDEL BLOOD (1 posts)
by Steve Day - Last post on: 08-01-03 11:48
> what, do you mean, tiny-weeny US funded armed and trained Israel ? .. Tiny > Israel with some of the most advanced weaponry on the planet .. Is that the > Israel you're referring to? Do you think that a bunch of farmers with stones > and crude explosives, should feel embarassed by this fail... (Read More)

Re: universalministries.com (1 posts)
by John Bear - Last post on: 07-17-03 08:53
sean wrote: > Ha ha Ha!!..the old 'reverse psychology ploy'! Well done John, I like > your style!!! Ok, I will take the bait one last time!! > > If your offer of a diploma is genuine I may well take you up on it! It is a genuine offer. Send me the postage costs, £2, and tell me what nam... (Read More)

Berne Takes Another Hit (4 posts)
by Rich Douglas - Last post on: 09-02-03 19:53
Alan Conteras, the head of the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization reports that the New Hampshire Department of Justice has sent Berne University a cease and desist order. As regular readers will know, Berne is an unaccredited, unlicensed school operating out of New Hampshire while claiming "... (Read More)

You must register before posting in the Education & Distance Learning discussion forums. It's free & only takes a few seconds. Please also remember that no advertising is allowed...
Enter The Forums Here