Basic Black
Cathie Black
Reviewed by Joan Johnston
I'm a big believer in "self-improvement" books. I've read a lot of them. Some help more than others. This one is filled with easy-to-find, easy-to-read "nuggets of wisdom" helpfully set apart in red-printed blocks that address Drive, Risk, People, Fear, Power, Passion, Attitude and Leadership.
I'd never heard of Cathie Black before I picked up this book. Her credentials are impressive. According to the flyleaf, "She was a pioneer in advertising sales at a time when women didn't sell; served as president and publisher of the fledgling USA Today; and in her current position as the president of Hearst Magazines, persuaded Oprah to launch a magazine. In 2006 she was named one of Fortune's `50 Most Powerful Women in American Business' for the seventh consecutive year."
The book is written to provide useful information no matter where you are in your career path. Even though I'm already a New York Times bestselling author, I'm still dealing with many of the issues for which Cathie Black is dispensing helpful advice.
• I still need to take risks. [Take risks that are calculated, not crazy.] [The worst case scenario is rarely as bad as you think.] [It's easier to ask for forgiveness than to get permission.]
• I still have to deal with people: editors, publishers and agents. [Different folks require different strokes.] [Trust the voice of experience.] [Don't personalize things that aren't personal.] [Be a mentor.]
• I still have to conquer my fears--including several she names: fear of people's reactions, such as rejection, confrontation, or ridicule. [Keep your brain working even if your head's on the chopping block.] [You can take it or leave it, but don't fear criticism.] [Know the difference betwen professional and personal provocation.]
• I still want to understand how to have and wield power--which she says is something you create for yourself. [Power = keeping your eye on the big picture.] [Power = understanding what you can and cannot control.] [Power = choosing your battles carefully.] [Power = controlling the flow of information] [Power = knowing your strengths and weaknesses.] [Power = knowing how to let things go.]
• I still need to have passion for my work as an author. [Be whoever you are in whatever you do.] [Find something that excites you.] [Don't be afraid to step out altogether, if that's what you truly want.]
• I still need to have an attitude of healthy expectation for myself--that I deserve the kind of job, responsibility, salary, benefits--in fact the kind of life--that will bring me joy. [Value yourself by your aspirations, not your limitations.] [Stick to your compensation guns.] [Take the vacation time you deserve.] [Get out there and network.] [Be careful not to get a chip on your shoulder.] [Orchestrate (and expect) your own success.]
• I still struggle with the role of leader. [Be the best listener you can be.] [Great leaders are great delegators.] [Focus on solutions, not problems.] [Learn the difference between playing and coaching.] [The ethical decision is always the right decision.] [Remember where the buck stops.]
It's easy to see why Cathie Black is at the top of her game. I've only provided a tantalizing taste of the advice Black dispenses in her book. She shares numerous anecdotes that reveal the mistakes she made on her way to the top, which serve as learning experiences for her and for the reader.
Black leaves the reader with one final bit of advice: "Opportunities will come--they always do. Trust yourself enough to jump at them. Never be afraid to go for it. And remember, you deserve to have the best life, and the best career, that you can have."
Great advice. Inspiring book.
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About the Reviewer:
Joan Johnston is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of 47 novels and novellas with over 10 million copies of her books in print. Joan has a B.A. and M.A. in Theater and a J.D. with honors from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. She has been a director of theater, drama critic, newspaper editor, college professor and attorney on her way to becoming a full-time author. Joan splits her time between homes in Florida and Colorado.
For more about Joan visit www.joanjohnston.com.
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