In a February New York Times article, Adam Brant wrote a
profile piece about Ursula Burns, the current CEO of Xerox.
Burns is the
first African-American woman to lead a Fortune 500
company.
The piece details Burns management style, which couples the advice she embraced from previous Xerox CEO’s in her rise to the top with the lessons she learned from her mother growing up in difficult circumstances on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
Burns, who is currently working on the details of Xerox’s acquisition of Affiliated Computer Services, takes a unique approach to her leadership at Xerox. Her distinctive mix of corporate culture with the lessons of her upbringing brings a different and refreshing style to the typically staid corporate leadership model.
Cheryl Wade
wrote about the expectations that would be placed upon Burns last year interrogating whether diverse leadership treats discrimination claims any differently.
The New York Times piece can be found
here.
In a February New York Times article, Adam Brant wrote a profile piece about Ursula Burns, the current CEO of Xerox. Burns is the first African-American woman to lead a Fortune 500
I suspect that the leadership of Ursula Burns shows that not all corporate executives have to co-opt the typical "profit at all costs" mentality that seems to permeate most corporate leadership styles.
ReplyDeleteIt is my opinion that diversity plays a very important role in the success of a company. Having the ability to examine complex corporate issues not only from a corporate standpoint but from a practical perspective is ideal when making corporate decisions. This has clearly worked for Mrs. Burns whose success should be used as a model for many other CEO’s.
ReplyDeleteWhen anyone is faced with a tough problem that problem should be held out at arm’s length and examined from many different angles. Each angle representing a different perspective or life experience. This process ensures that all potential risks and benefits are considered in leading you to the most reasonable solution. The importance of this technique is vital because every corporate decision will impact a company in some form or fashion. Anyone who has a lack of diversity will seriously impede such a successful method.
Ursula Burns is definitely paving the way and setting the trend for future generations to come! It’s great to see such diversity and for her to be in the position as the current CEO. Unfortunately she may not be as thrilled about the current position and all of the responsibilities that are associated with the role, but her current position most certainly goes beyond Xerox. Her position is going to serve as a catalyst of change and allow the doors of opportunity to swing right open for groups that are underrepresented in these major corporations. I am curious to know what the underlying tone is at Xerox now considering Ursula’s change in position. A lot of times people like and are willing to work with people when they don’t carry certain titles, but when that changes for certain people, those around them can sometimes take a different outlook on that person. I am truly cheering her on, and being an advocate in her corner. I know that she is capable of handling the position because she has been there for 30 years. But I am an advocate because she is making monumental changes that are going to impact history forever.
ReplyDelete-David H. Kenton
Ms. Burns is truly an inspiration. Although unfortunate that this is a big deal, it is great to see a Black women in such a powerful position. Furthermore, she is humbly accepting the duties and responsibilities that accompany the role. She is not taking advantage of and basking in the lime light that comes with so much power. I think it will work to her advantage that she has a different background then the typical CEO. She will be able to use the strength and experience she gained through her struggles growing up as well as through her rise through Xerox to encourage growth and stability in the company. I admire the fact that she bluntly expressed her opinions while growing in the company. Most people are intimidated in those situations and often keep their opinions to themselves or gossip with friends/co-workers in fear of risking their job. However, this worked in Ms. Burns' favor. It showed that she had initiative, drive, intelligence, and confidence.
ReplyDeleteThe New York Times article was a good one, and what was so good about it was that they focused more on Ms. Burns's performance, fresh ideas, and journey to the top, and less on her color and gender. It is refreshing to see that a woman of color who has worked hard has been recognized by her company not because she is black, not because she is a woman, but because she is extremely bright, worked hard, was innovative, took advice, and was loyal to her company. The real accomplishment is that her co-workers did not allow her color and gender to lessen their opinion of her, and her work was seen for what it was. This is an example of how people from all walks of life who work together are better for it; we learn from other people's experiences, and we teach each other about our own.
ReplyDeleteThe New York Times article was very interesting and insightful. Ms. Burn's story provides inspiration to others who aspire to become powerful leaders in the business world. Diversity is a very important aspect of a successful business. The diversity Ms. Burn's brings to Xerox has surely helped the company become more successful in many ways.
ReplyDeleteMs. Burns's story is very interesting and uplifting. She is an inspiration, not only to women in the corporate world, but to all in the corporate world. She has truly bust through the glass ceiling. Ms. Burns is an example of how essential diversity is in the corporate world. Diversity allows new perspectives to old problems. And as Ms. Burns represents, diversity can lead to much success.
ReplyDeleteI am so inspired after reading Ms. Burn's story in the N.Y. Times! I truly believe that corporate America should be the most diverse entity in the world. As the first black female CEO of a major American corporation, Ms. Burn's symbolizes the consumers in which these corporations service. The target population for corporate America doesn't consist of one race/ethnicity; therefore, the leadership of these corporations should reflect the people in which they serve. After reading Ms. Burn's article, and learning how she has worked as a loyal employee for thirty years, I am truly amazed. Her hard work actually paid off, which sends a message to all employees who feel "trapped" within their careers.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, Ms. Burn's outspoken persona adds a twist to corporate America; it permits deference and expansion to the traditional operations of Xerox. Ms. Burns has no problem voicing her opinions and because of this "outspoken" characteristic she claimed her spot as CEO. Often, society labels "outspoken women" in a negative perspective, in which they are identified as "trouble makers" or acting "ultra vires." However, Ms. Burns is a perfect depiction of how this so called negative trait can lead to positive results.
I am so inspired after reading Ms. Burn's story in the N.Y. Times! I truly believe that corporate America should be the most diverse entity in the world. As the first black female CEO of a major American corporation, Ms. Burn's symbolizes the consumers in which these corporations service. The target population for corporate America doesn't consist of one race/ethnicity; therefore, the leadership of these corporations should reflect the people in which they serve. After reading Ms. Burn's article, and learning how she has worked as a loyal employee for thirty years, I am truly amazed. Her hard work actually paid off, which sends a message to all employees who feel "trapped" within their careers.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, Ms. Burn's outspoken persona adds a twist to corporate America; it permits deference and expansion to the traditional operations of Xerox. Ms. Burns has no problem voicing her opinions and because of this "outspoken" characteristic she claimed her spot as CEO. Often, society labels "outspoken women" in a negative perspective, in which they are identified as "trouble makers" or acting "ultra vires." However, Ms. Burns is a perfect depiction of how this so called negative trait can lead to positive results.
Ms. Burns excites me! Her New York Times’ article was eye-opening. It wasn’t a meteoric rise that gave Ms. Burns her current position; instead, she worked hard, had great mentors, and wasn’t scared to learn even when opportunities masked themselves as problems. What’s astounding is her self-sufficiency and willingness to be herself in the corporate realm. Even with her success and a maybe a rightful sense of entitlement, the writer for the N.Y. Times’ article, Adam Bryant, wrote, [l]eaving the small corporate-jet terminal with her luggage, she walks toward a black Mercedes that is idling at the sidewalk. She walks past it — it’s waiting for someone else on another plane — and heads to her own car in a nearby parking lot. She grabs her keys, loads her bag in the back and drives herself home.” Seriously, she’s a CEO of a Fortune 500 company. She’s probably not driving a ’98 Honda, but I appreciate her authenticity.
ReplyDeleteDiversity plays an important role in fighting discrimination within the corporate structure and society in its entirety.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate Ms. Burns achievement because I think she serves as an example of how economic and social stigmas may be overcome with hard work and drive. She much like the recent election of the nation’s first black president serves as evidence that the country is moving forward in the right direction. However, it is important to note that there is progress to be made when it comes to discrimination.
I admire Ms. Burns modesty in her accomplishment and I understand her desire to keep a low profile because as the first CEO of a fortune 500 company, there are lots of eyes watching her and it is important that she stay focused.
Ursula Jones is one of the many black women today that are paving the way for other black females to be successful in the business industry. Her humbleness and not being afraid to talk about her background and experience is inspirational and helps to show certain obstacles CAN be overcome. However, it is not a surprise but more of a disappointment that it has taken this long for a black woman to obtain this position considering the impressive educational backgrounds that many black women have today. Also, I agree with Angela's comment about a having alot of eyes watching her which honestly is one of the first things that came to my mind after reading her story. Unfortunately, her even getting to this point of achievement may not be enough for some people and there are those that cannot wait to start their criticisms. I do think that Ms. Jones will not let that get in her way if she has come this far.
ReplyDeleteIt was a breath of fresh air to read this article on Ursula Jones. Her promotion to CEO represents a shift in corporate America. As a women and African American she has overcame two historical “obstacles” that have typically prevented individuals of Jones background from achieving such a prestigious position. Jones education background in engineering is also a misnomer. Her diverse background, education, and work experience all attribute to her success. In order for young people, women, African Americans, or others, to reach this level of success it is necessary that individuals pursue diverse backgrounds and purse higher education, especially in the math and sciences. It is also enlightening to read that Ms. Jones incorporates her past and upbringing experiences in her managerial style. The presence of superficial diversity is pointless if it is not incorporated with diverse styles of handling issues. The point of diversity is not only for the office to have people who LOOK different, instead it should encompass people who handle issues differently from a different background to ensure that the best resolution is made.
ReplyDeleteNot only is Ms. Burns an inspiration, but the entire process of handing over the reins of CEO from one woman to another is showing a change in the glass ceiling that is so typical in many companies, including Fortune 500 companies that are so often controlled by 50-something, white males. Although making Ms. Burns CEO is an accomplishment in itself, I am more anxious to see how her diverse management styles and corporate persona reflect in the corporation's actual performance in the coming years. Good Luck Ms. Burns.
ReplyDeleteam excited to see the face of this great country continuing to change. African Americans are beginning to receive the titles and positions they deserve. I believe using ones personal experience and life lessons in a corporate system, will enable them to be more efficient and productive. However, this method may be disliked because it is not the conventional way of doing things.
ReplyDeleteEvery corporation, public and private, should strive to maximize the diversity of its workforce, customers, and contractors. Xerox has taken the right approach, and in the long run, it will pay dividends for the company. Ms. Ursula Burns has accomplished what millions strive for when embarking on a business career- to take the helm of a Fortune 500 company. Unlike many CEO’s who have accomplished that goal, however, Ms. Burns has likely had to endure and overcome both sexual and racial discrimination. Her accomplishment(s) should be applauded, and everyone can learn from her perseverance and professional traits.
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