Book Review: The Way Up - Climbing the Corporate Mountain as a Professional of Color

     Errol Pierre argues in his book, The Way Up: Climbing the Corporate Mountain as a Professional of Color, that achieving success in the corporate world is more akin to scaling a mountain than climbing up steps on a ladder, especially for professionals of color.

     Pierre’s purpose for writing this 15-chapter guidebook is “to galvanize and inspire those millions of diverse employees who have managed to make it to white-collar management but find themselves frustrated on their path to becoming executives” (p. xi).

     This book resonated with me as a Bronx-born African American woman with 15 years in public service. Having also grown up in the Bronx, one of the poorest New York boroughs, Pierre learned from his Haitian immigrant father that hard work, dedication, and sacrifice were crucial to success. These lessons helped him stay the course when his leadership journey grew increasingly complex.

     The book chronicles the author's rise through corporate America as a Haitian American to become Chief Operating Officer (COO) at a major New York corporation. Sprinkled throughout the pages are quotes from 13 influential executives of color.

     I found the insights of other well-known leaders fascinating, because they resonated with what the author was saying and made the book more relatable to me. Every chapter concludes with a leadership tip Pierre has acquired during his travels that he then passes on to the reader.

     Noted in Chapter 9: Navigate and Survive Bad Bosses are examples of challenges leaders of color may face while advancing in their careers. For instance, the path to the C-suite is rarely straightforward, often blocked by obstacles not typically faced by their white colleagues. Handling a biased or racist manager is an issue Pierre tackles head-on, offering practical advice. He sufficiently covers the meaning of implicit bias. He also shares strategies for coping, such as the “Three Strikes” Rule, preparing for courageous conversations, and taking brave steps to confront or avoid a biased boss (which can include outright quitting). I found this advice especially helpful for those powerless against bad leadership.

     The Way Up is an engaging read for any emerging leader of color, regardless of profession. Pierre’s biography as a first-generation Haitian American is one of the book's strengths. Throughout the text, Pierre encourages readers to strive for excellence, from giving back to the community to leaving something memorable behind.

     As an advocate of leadership through service, I strive to embody the values that social work promotes in my daily life. Pierre's message is a solid testament to the ethos of servant leadership and being the change we wish to see in the world.

     The Way Up offers helpful self-improvement advice and can be a reference for students of color, social workers, instructors, career centers, and private practitioners. Thus, it would complement social welfare coursework in cultural competency; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB); and organizational leadership.

Reviewed by Shakima Tozay, MSW, LICSW, CCM, PMH-C, CDP, Senior Social Worker, Department of Veteran Affairs.