The Corporate World Wasn’t Built for You. That Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Master It.

There’s no “playbook” for navigating corporate spaces. Or if there is, it was written a long time ago, for a very specific group of people. For just about everyone else, the workplace can be a tough space to navigate, like a test where everyone knows all the answers except you. Unspoken: A Guide to Cracking the Hidden Corporate Code is designed to serve as the playbook they didn’t give you in college, helping you decipher the hidden rules that govern corporate spaces and develop the strategies you need to survive and thrive there, no matter who you are or where you come from.

Written by organizational psychologist and DEI expert Ella F. Washington, PhD, Unspoken is the book for every professional who’s ever felt like they don’t fit in, battled imposter syndrome, or wondered how to expand their power and influence (and whether it’s actually acceptable to do so). Packed with the tools and tactics you need to navigate workspaces that may be uncomfortable, unfamiliar, or where you may be “the only one,” you’ll get the practical, actionable tips you need to get the most out of any corporate environment, grow your leadership skills, negotiate from a place of power, and, ultimately, achieve your career goals—all while remaining authentically yourself.

Two years ago, Dr. Ella F. Washington, organizational psychologist, Founder and CEO of DEI strategy consulting firm Ellavate Solutions, and Professor of Practice at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, shared her vision for a fairer, healthier, more productive “workplace utopia” with business leaders looking to make positive change in The Necessary Journey: Making Real Progress on Equity and Inclusion. The book was a hit with the C-Suite, but left workers asking, What about me? How do I make sense of and navigate my workplace? How do I show up authentically when I’m the only person who looks like me? Do I even belong here? Now, Dr. Washington is back with Unspoken: A Guide to Cracking the Hidden Corporate Code, a practical guide for workers across the spectrum who want to succeed in the business world without sacrificing their authenticity. Unspoken is the book for every professional who’s asked these questions, battled imposter syndrome, or wondered how to expand their power and influence (and struggled with whether it’s okay to do so). In the book, Dr. Washington explains the unspoken rules that determine success in corporate settings, coaching readers in the tactics that will equip them to shape a successful career anchored in meaningful experiences. She shares practical strategies readers can use to own their story and their strengths, leverage their skills, and identify opportunities to excel and advance, along with stories from fellow professionals who have faced similar challenges and successfully navigated these spaces. Packed with fascinating research, helpful exercises, and real, practical advice, this book will help readers build their capacity to move forward more confidently, empowering them and equipping them with the tools and tactics they need to thrive at every level of their organization and build the careers and lives they want.