There's No Elevator to the Top: A Leading Headhunter Shares the Advancement Strategies of the World's Most Successful Executives by Umesh Ramakrishnan

There's No Elevator to the Top: A Leading Headhunter Shares the Advancement Strategies of the World's Most Successful Executives by Umesh Ramakrishnan (Hardcover - Nov 13, 2008)

Hardcover: 256 pages

Publisher: Portfolio Hardcover (November 13, 2008)

ISBN-10: 1591842255

From Publishers Weekly

As vice chairman of a global executive search firm, Ramakrishman uses his access to the top executives at major corporations to ask the one question aspiring CEOs, and even new entrants to the business world, would most like to know: What do you know now that you wish you had known 20 years ago? The result is a low-key, highly personal look back at success. The advice Ramakrishman elicits from the executives delves into such areas as the importance of choosing only 'A' players when seeking to assemble a strong team and striving for a flatter organizational structure to promote communication and information flow. The subject matter does not vary significantly from standard career topics like the importance of networking, but the real value here is access to the wisdom and guidance of proven leaders such as Steve Reinemund of Pepsi and Terrence Marks of Coca-Cola. Chapter-ending executive summaries underscore key points that will benefit anyone—regardless of their corporate ranking—looking to advance in their field. (Nov.) 

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From Booklist

Longtime search executive, Ramakrishnan, sets out to examine and dissect today’s popular management principles and insights by traveling the world to interview members of the C-suite, the corporate world’s chief officers. Stories abound as the author recounts thoughtful conversations with leaders of Fortune’s largest companies and CEO’s of start-ups, including wisdom and advice from executives of Charles Schwab, JC Penny, Aetna, Cadbury Schweppes, and MediaCorp Group of Singapore to name a few. Lessons learned from his interviews include: everyone’s the CEO’s boss; everyone thinks they own you; not everyone likes you; know what’s going on; your constant responsibility is to filter and synthesize the information flow for your benefit; corporate culture begins with you; prepare as much as possible, then expect the unexpected; leaders know how to rally the troops; always strive to be better; and in the end, there’s only you left to blame. There is so much richness in the ideas and experiences chronicled in this excellent book, which offers special insight for library patrons. --Mary Whaley

A top corporate recruiter reveals what it takes to reach the top of a major corporation.

Few people have as deep an understanding of corporate leadership as Umesh Ramakrishnan. As vice chairman of CTPartners, one of the world’s premier search firms, he has placed dozens of C-level executives at companies around the globe. Now he shares powerful lessons from his long career and also from exclusive interviews with top CEO’s.

Ramakrishnan identifies the qualities that distinguish those who are likely to make it from those who aren’t. And he explains, for instance:

• Why the surest route to the top is not always straight up the greasy pole

• How it’s possible to have a star team without everyone being a star

• Why your listening skills need as much attention as your communication skills

• How to meet the challenges—and grasp the opportunities—of globalization

There’s No Elevator to the Top is like an exclusive lunch date with a tableful of CEOs, as Ramakrishnan features the insights of dozens of top leaders at companies like Dell, Cadbury Schweppes, Aetna, BT Group, Pepsi, Infosys, and Ecopetrol.

About the Author

Umesh Ramakrishnan is vice chairman of the executive search firm CTPartners. He recruits directors, CEOs, CFOs, COOs, and other senior management positions for Global 2000 companies. He is a sought-after speaker and a regular guest on CNBC.