Why are there so few Asian American leaders in my industry? How can I succeed as an Asian American in the workplace?
The term “bamboo ceiling” is derivative of the glass ceiling which refers to a general metaphor that is used to describe invisible barriers that prevent women and minorities from rising beyond a certain level in a hierarchy. Jane Hyun’s book “Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling” articulates the cultural barriers and misperceptions that have kept Asian and Asian American professionals from moving up the corporate ladder and attaining senior leadership positions. Despite being often portrayed as highly educated and being labeled as the “Model Minority”, many Asian Americans who do enter the professional workforce see their careers stall on the basis of subjective factors such as “lacking leadership potential” or “lacking communication skills”. This book is comprised of anecdotes, case studies, and exercises that give practical advice as to how to overcome individual, cultural, and organizational factors that impede career progress.
A graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Economics/International Studies, Jane Hyun is an advisor to the Taskforce for Talent Innovation and a member of the Toigo Foundation’s President Circle. Her insights have been featured on CNN, CNBC, NPR, Harvard Business Review (HBR) Working Knowledge, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Leader to Leader, Fortune and Forbes.
Come stop by the CEC to take a look at this thought provoking book!