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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
The Way Up summary
Errol L. Pierre with Jim Jermanok
Climbing the Corporate Mountain as a Professional of Color
18 mins
Table of Contents
The Way Up
Summary of 6 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 6
Knowing where to aim
The stories that people of color are told about themselves are often filtered through the people in power. This might leave you believing that the mountain is too hard to climb from where you stand. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Don’t let other people tell you your own story. Be proactive in learning about your cultural history, and the role models that can be found there.
Did you know, for instance, that The Three Musketeers was based on the life of Thomas-Alexandre Dumas – a Haitian man who escaped slavery to become a top military officer in Paris? At the time, he was the highest ranking officer of African descent to lead a European army. And his story inspired his son, Alexandre, to write the world-famous adventure we know today.
So seek out the stories that inspire you. When you know your heroes, you begin to recognize yourself in them.
As well as learning about your history, tap into what drives you personally. It's normal to focus on financial security in the face of economic inequality: in the US, the average net income of white families is almost ten times greater than their Black peers. But as you progress, know that the best salary isn’t always the best next step. You need to find your purpose.
Why are you driven to lead and succeed in business? Identify the unique impact only you can make. Your purpose can propel you through nearly every challenge. And by discovering your why early on, you can make decisions that guide you toward your version of success. You’ll have a better perspective on the skills you need to gain, the experiences that might be valuable, and the people who can help you along the way.
Set ambitious goals fueled by your higher purpose. If one pathway is blocked, it’s OK – that’s just one way up the mountain. Knowing your purpose means you can backtrack, and still keep your eye on the peak.
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What is The Way Up about?
The Way Up (2022) is a career guidebook that provides professionals of color with empowering advice on climbing the corporate ladder. Drawing on interviews and lived experience, it tackles topics like expanding networks, overcoming impostor syndrome, and securing executive mentors. With motivating wisdom and practical strategies, it shows how to navigate workplace challenges and fulfill your leadership potential.
Who should read The Way Up?
- Professionals of color
- Managers wanting to support diversity
- Leaders from diverse communities
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