Big Asian Energy: An Unapologetic Guide for Breaking Barriers to Leadership and Success

Lamenting the underrepresentation of Asians in the C-suite, leadership coach Wang debuts with an empowering guide advising Asian readers on how to climb the corporate ladder. He outlines seven behavioral patterns that hold back Asian employees, suggesting, for example, that “achievers” feel pressured by “model minority” stereotypes and high parental expectations to overperform in everything they do. Such individuals should reject perfectionism and “let ourselves be a little messy,” Wang advises. Encouraging readers to seek recognition for their accomplishments, Wang discusses how after a client was omitted from a colleague’s congratulatory message for her team, he urged her to point out the oversight to her colleague, who apologized and talked up her achievements to her superiors. Helpful suggestions abound, as when Wang recommends asserting one’s authority by avoiding such phrases as “I think” and “kind of,” as well as pushing back on microaggressions by asking offenders “I don’t get it, can you explain the joke?” or “What did you mean by that?” Unfortunately, the exercises peppered throughout are undercooked. For instance, readers are urged to boost their confidence by walking through public spaces with their head held high or envisioning themselves as a “twelve-foot-tall golden god.” Still, this will be a boon for Asian workers eager to take their career to the next level. Agent: Johanna Castillo, Writers House. (May)