Created by three dynamic and successful black women leaders, this invaluable “mentor in your pocket” will help all black women, at any level of their careers, play the power game - and win.
Rich in wisdom, this practical gem focuses on the building blocks of true leadership - self-confidence, effective communication, collaboration, and courage - while dealing with stereotypes (avoid the mommy trap and don't become an angry black woman) and the danger of self-sacrifice (don't think that every problem arises from the fact that you are black or a woman).
Many of you are already active in the workplace or will soon join the global workforce, in private companies, large foundations, small nonprofits, advocacy groups, positions government or other jobs in your neighborhood. yet, you may not know a very important secret: there is a leader in each of you who is just waiting to come out! All you have to do is develop and hone the skills that will help the leader in you stand out and shine.
Leaders are not only born, they can also be created. Even if you've never been in a leadership position and have been told that you don't have “leadership potential” growing up, you can learn what it takes to be a leader right now. Like math, science, and languages, leadership can be learned because it requires skills that can be taught. And because you are clearly capable of learning, the path of leadership is one that you can always follow.
However, along the way to successful leadership, you will need to refuse to give in to negative thoughts that may hold you back. Too often, bright and beautiful young women of color sabotage themselves, sometimes without even knowing it, so that they never become the leaders they are capable of or achieve the level of leadership success that they are. they deserve. The most critical aspect of leadership is self-esteem, which should come from the center of your being.
To become a leader and remain an effective leader, you must always see yourself as a very important person (VIP). This doesn't mean that you have to be cocky or arrogant and start your job thinking that you already know everything you need to know. Instead, it means you need to be sure that you add a lot of value to any workplace and that your cultural strengths, values, and work ethic will come in handy as you learn. to do your job, and to be successful no matter what challenges you may face, big or small.
What you feel is essential to moving forward and sustaining your efforts to achieve your leadership goals. Feeling like a VIP, reminding yourself that you are a VIP, dressing like a VIP and acting like a VIP (within reason, of course) will give you the confidence you need to overcome real and imagined obstacles on the road. workplace. . Rest assured that you can overcome any obstacles you may encounter on your way to becoming a leader - be prepared and save your hat. External forces, and perhaps internal ones, will certainly test you.
Because we live in a society where people of color and women are not always valued, some of us, consciously or unconsciously, transfer the idea that we are not precious to beliefs of inferiority or inadequacy for us. * A recent Harvard University study identified two types of bias: individual and systemic. The first type of prejudice is that of individuals towards members of groups other than their own. The second is a set of institutionalized assumptions, attitudes and practices that have a sort of invisible effect in systematically giving members of more powerful groups certain advantages over members of less dominant groups. So you are not crazy, and you are not the only one who feels that certain things are wrong or wrong in our society. Despite all the progress women and people of color have made, there are still barriers in many workplaces. Therefore, you must be prepared.
The first step in dealing with any feeling of injustice in the business environment is to accept that there are prejudices of all kinds. In fact, many of us are biased and instead of letting those feelings get in your way, you need to find creative ways to work around them. Sometimes you can feel frustrated, not knowing how to move forward or what steps you need to take to move forward. You're not alone. Do not be discouraged. Instead, focus on hard work, smart work, and getting the knowledge you need to get ahead. By staying focused, you will continue to progress.
Your ability to stay motivated and continue to believe in yourself throughout your leadership journey is very important. In the sport of work, you will have to learn not to take everything that happens to you personally. You have to become a 'gamer
As a black woman in America, you will face or face racism, but instead of getting angry, letting it defeat you, taking over you, holding you back, stopping you from growing, exploring, realizing your full potential, and making your dreams come true. , use racism as a motivator to achieve your goals.
A recent study from Harvard University shows that while most fair-minded managers judge you for your merits, there are some who judge you according to unconscious stereotypes and attitudes. This is not an obvious prejudice. These are prejudices that are embedded in the subconscious and are created through associations that are assimilated at an early stage. Things that are usually associated with each other, such as thunder and lightning or gray hair and old age, do not always coexist.
I happened to watch this author's interview on FOX NEWS and loved his passion for sharing a bit of reality that awaits ambitious and very capable girls of color. I met a good friend's daughter (13) who impressed me so tell me her best friend's mom was prejudiced so they had to hide their friendship. I said no, she is an ignorant bigot! Even her daughter was so sweet and pleasant to talk to. I immediately thought about this book and read the reviews, all positive, from many older women who said they wished they could have it back in their day and couldn't wait to give it away. In the end I read one that he gave it to his niece (13). I was almost stunned when she told me she was ready for the binder. Next salary.
Ladies and gentlemen, It is a book that I really enjoyed and that I absolutely needed. This book, The Little Black Book of Success: Law of Leadership for Black Women (TLBBOS) was given to me about 10 years ago by my mentor while I was in the ranks of army officers. I used my original book so much ... I had to buy another one. My mentor knew that as a smart, foolish, black young Philadelphia boy, I needed help with my sharp tongue. It was very obvious to her that I had never been given professional survival skills or the "right" tools to use as a black woman in the world of leadership (not all tools are available for black women to use) and what more important, in the workplace that leads several black subordinates. I have learned so much from this book; she gave me Pearls of Wisdom (POW) which she use and continue to live as a professional today.
The book's nickname is TLBBOS. For me and for many of my students, TLBBOS will always be a great reference that can be easily retrieved, understood and believed. I am now a mentor for a group of professionals and this is the book I bought for every student and we all agree that this book will be our "Bible" to use as a Black Educated Professional (BAE) in today's American workforce. . In addition to traditional prayer, we also try to use this book as a guide as we discuss some of our unique and inspiring experiences as BAE professionals. We are so grateful to the three dynamic women who realized that black women are natural leaders, but often they are unaware and even more of a problem, many of their employers and colleagues are unwilling to accept them in the world. With TLBBOS, black women will be lulled, awakened, cared for and guided with unique and personal tools by the three phenomenal authors on how to play in the workplace and WIN.
This book was amazing, I'm so glad it was pointed out to me. I bought it in 2017 and am now re-reading it for the second time. Women of color need more inspiration and a manual to navigate their success. This book was all of that for me. This book is the perfect medium for black women trying to achieve their goals by addressing some of the thoughts I've never expressed. This book gives amazing advice on Several perspectives, including explaining how we can blend these ideals with our faith. The more you read this book, the more my skills hone. The mama-isms have hit the mark. I felt this book was a combination of what the woman in my family was trying to teach me. So I buy the notebook and will continue reading this book over and over. It's so good!
This book was recommended to me by my half-sister. Once I started reading I couldn't stop. I like small chapters, but they are full of knowledge, action elements, and ways to look to each other for development. This book was well written and seemed applicable today despite the publication date. I intend to encourage young women to read this book and apply it to their skills after graduation.
As I read, I wondered how far I might have been in my career if I had read this book before. No complaints for yesterday, which is why I intend to pay it forward by sharing this book with others. Halfway through I bought the binder to slow down and really digest the material. The content is so applicable that you may want to re-read it to help you deal with a situation and / or problem at work. BUY NOW and SHARE !! '
