Black Faces in High Places: Strategic Actions to Rise — and Stay — at the Top
Diversity powers innovation — but the path to the C-suite still has real headwinds. Inspired by Black Faces in High Places (Randal D. Pinkett & Jeffrey A. Robinson), here’s a concise field guide for Black professionals to navigate, lead, and leave the door open wider for the next wave.
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Own problems. Ship solutions. Inside your org, act like a founder — take smart bets, build coalitions, and create value that didn’t exist yesterday. Outside, cultivate ventures and platforms that compound your impact.
Expand Beyond Comfort Zones
Growth lives on the edge. Volunteer for messy, high-visibility assignments. Rotate across functions. Seek sponsors who will bet on you — then overdeliver so the path widens for others.
Demonstrate Excellence — In Four Dimensions
- Leadership: Set vision, make decisions, own outcomes.
- Collaboration: Win through teams, not heroics.
- Adaptability: Pivot with data, not ego.
- Continuous Improvement: Iterate relentlessly — skills, systems, results.
Build Beneficial Relationships & Networks
Access is rocket fuel. Curate a powerful lattice of peers, mentors, sponsors, and community connectors. Give first, ask clearly, follow up consistently. In unity, leverage multiplies.
Learn from Mentors & Role Models
Study “how they did it” and “why they chose it.” Borrow playbooks, avoid avoidable mistakes, and localize the lessons to your context and community impact.
Facilitate Collective Action
Culture changes when coalitions act. Champion inclusive hiring, fair promotion practices, and visible pipelines. Create circles that mentor, sponsor, and mobilize — progress sticks when it’s shared.
Next 30-Day Play:
- Pitch one intrapreneurial idea that saves time or drives revenue.
- Schedule two sponsor conversations; ask for one concrete door to be opened.
- Lead a cross-functional win; document the impact and share credit widely.
- Mentor one rising pro; build a mini-pipeline, not a solo story.
Black leadership doesn’t just add perspective — it accelerates innovation and strengthens outcomes. Aim high, move together, and make excellence contagious.