🌟 For Asians Working in Industry
In the corporate world, many Asians work hard, deliver excellence, and earn respect—but too often, leadership roles remain out of reach. The challenge isn’t talent or dedication; it’s cultural translation. Many of us were taught to let our work speak for itself, to avoid self-promotion, and to prioritize teamwork over visibility. Yet in American workplaces, leadership often means speaking up, showing vision, and influencing others.
By learning how to communicate confidently and lead authentically, we can honor our cultural roots while opening doors to leadership. When we find our voices and step forward, we don’t just advance our own careers—we pave the way for others and help create workplaces that truly value diversity of thought and style.
To support you on this journey of self-discovery and growth, we have listed some "Recommended Resources" for you below.
Books:
1) Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling by Jane Hyun—a groundbreaking book that explores how cultural values shape leadership and success in the Western workplace. Reviewers often praise the book's actionable strategies, including "tests and tools" for self-assessment and navigating corporate hierarchies. Recent 2026 reviews state that the core message remains highly relevant even 20 years after its original publication.
2) The Unspoken Rules: Secrets to Starting Your Career Off Right by Gorick Ng—named by Thinkers50 as one of the top 10 management books of 2022. The Unspoken Rules is a guide to help early career professionals, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, navigate the school-to-work transition and ascend to positions of leadership, based on 500+ interviews with professionals across geographies, industries, and job types.
3) Power and Influence by John Kotter—a book that explains how to use "unofficial" power and influence to achieve goals in complex organizations, going beyond formal authority. It teaches managers and professionals how to navigate social dynamics, build relationships, and gain cooperation from subordinates, peers, and superiors to overcome obstacles and get things done, even without direct authority. The book was recommended by Buck Gee, a speaker on “Tips on Executive Leadership Training for Asians” by Committee 100 and a founder for Stanford’s Advanced Leadership Program (ALP) for Asian Americans.
🎓 For Asians in Academia
In academia, Asians have long excelled as students, researchers, and educators—but are still rarely seen in top administrative or thought-leadership positions. Academic leadership often requires self-advocacy, strategic networking, and visibility beyond one’s research or classroom. For many of us, these skills may feel uncomfortable or even self-promotional, yet they are essential for making a broader impact.
By learning to lead in ways that align with both our cultural values and institutional expectations, we can expand our influence, mentor others, and help reshape the culture of higher education. Our leadership can model how integrity, collaboration, and humility coexist with strength, vision, and courage.
Many Asians are naturally smart, organized, and strategic—but often think, “That’s just being efficient,” without realizing, “That’s being a leader!” Too often, we underestimate our own leadership ability and readiness.
To explore whether academic leadership might be right for you, check out this insightful article by clicking on the image to the right:
“How to Move Up the Administrative Ranks: Ten Questions to Gauge if You’re Leadership Material”
💫 Moving Forward Together
No matter where we are—at work, in academia, or at home—each of us has a role to play in breaking barriers and redefining leadership. When we learn from one another, support one another, and lead with both heart and purpose, we create ripples of change that extend far beyond ourselves.
Together, we can build a future where Asian leadership is visible, valued, and vibrant—where every generation feels empowered to stand tall, speak truth, and lead boldly while staying true to who we are.
