The Little Black Book of Success - Official Website

The Book

Excerpt | Praise | Press | Fan Feedback | Website Workshop

Straightforward and prescriptive advice from three high-powered black female executives who have been there, done that, and now want to help you tap into your leadership potential, featuring such chapters as:

• The “N” Word: Networking
• Racism Is No Excuse, But It Can Be a Motivator
• Acknowledge There Is a Game and Accept That You Must Play

Foreword by Angela Burt-Murray, Editor-in-Chief, Essence magazine.

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Excerpt

From the Introduction

Given how much progress women of African descent have made since the civil rights and women's rights movements—especially in the past decade, as companies have grown more diverse—it would be easy to think challenges in the workplace don't exist. Wrong! Nearly 40 percent of Black women report that they don't have other Black women who can serve as role models. Studies show that during the past decade Black women have made the smallest gains with regard to employment and high-level positions. For the few who have achieved success in the workplace, their greatest obstacle has been making their organizations acknowledge the value of their skills and contributions. Today's Black women have jobs and careers, yet many don't realize the inherent leadership potential they possess that can help them grow professionally. Much has been written about leadership, but there are no books specifically for Black women on this topic, one that identifies and addresses issues unique to Black women, the work place obstacles they encounter, and challenges they can overcome.

As women of color, we live in a culture that is part of a larger society—a dominant culture. Each culture has its own set of mores, traditions, and values. These values, attitudes, and ideologies that are inherent in our communities have been passed down through generations and make our culture unique, particularly given our people's historical experiences in this country. This book identifies some things we tend to do that may differ from the dominant culture as we operate in the corporate workplace. Rather than focusing on assimilation, we think it is more important that you understand your own behaviors and how they may work for or against you, so that you can maximize your leadership potential. Let's face it. We're all bicultural—having our own culture within a dominant culture. This handbook provides insights into understanding how you can become more self- aware and achieve your leadership goals. Beginning with the premise that we're all VIPs with differing degrees of awareness, The Little Black Book of Success shares insights into workplace issues, pitfalls, and impediments, and offers applicable solutions for women, no matter at what stage of their career. Each chapter builds on the VIP lessons by elucidating leadership truths coupled with prescriptive examples. We talk about the behaviors we have observed in the workplace that work to our advantage and those that keep us from advancing. The Cultural Code sections include the kinds of things we tend to do from a cultural perspective to sabotage ourselves and then prescribe methods to help us be successful.

Each chapter concludes with "MAMAisms," which bring the lessons home by giving entirely new relevance to aphorisms readers have heard all of their lives from their mother, grandmother, or other family members, presenting them in the context of leadership development. The premise here is that even if Mama was not in the corporate world, she gave us life lessons we can draw upon. MAMAisms are those familiar terms, both practical and spiritual, that we grew up with and can draw upon as we travel the road to leadership success.

We hope that this isn't a book you read once and store on your bookshelf, leaving it to collect dust, but one that you keep on hand and review regularly to help you reach your leadership goals or serve as a reminder of what to do when things get tough. We have been working a long time in many different jobs and industries and have tried to learn from our mistakes as well as our achievements as we advanced in our careers. Our combined experience can help you avoid making some of the mistakes we made as you build a strong foundation of professionalism in your work and develop the tools you will need for leadership success. So, whether you are just starting out in the workplace or already have a leadership role, get ready to change your life!

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Praise

"[The Little Black Book of Success] offers invaluable insight for anyone ready to step up and take the reins."

-Essence

"[A] great resource to get (or keep) your career on track. Elaine Meryl Brown, Marsha Haygood and Rhonda Joy McLean are mentors in your pocket."

-Heart & Soul

"The Little Black Book of Success is, without a doubt, one of the most comprehensive and relevant books that women can read to achieve the job success they desire. It answers the tough questions, offers experience-based insights, and outlines strategies that are sure to make you a front-runner in the race to workplace excellence."

-Elaine McCollins Flake,
Co-Pastor, Greater Allen Cathedral

"Elaine Brown, Marsha Haygood and Rhonda McLean have compiled a dynamite, relevant, wisdom-filled book that offers real time, relevant "mama-isms," and tools for learning and exercising leadership in competitive corporate environments. This tool is a keeper!"

-Carla A. Harris, author of
Expect to Win

"Finally: a small but extremely powerful book full of successful business and lifestyle rules written by women of color."

-B. Smith

"Life lessons to stay in the game of life."

-Terrie M. Williams, author of
The Personal Touch:
What You Really Need To Succeed
in Today's Fast-Paced Business World

"Good counsel comes to us in myriad ways. The Little Black Book of Success clearly qualifies as one. It’s chock full of sound and thoughtful advice on how to build a successful business career. I commend it not just to black women, but to anyone seeking wisdom on leadership and success."

-Richard Parsons, Chairman, Citigroup

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Press

Deborah Owens/Wealthy Lifestyle Show, WEAA 88.9fm (NPR affiliate) - August 3, 2010

The Tavis Smiley Show from PRI - May 14, 2010

NPR - April 20, 2010

New York Daily News - March 15, 2010

Weekend Today in New York - Saturday, March 13th, 6am –7am on channel 4 – WNBC-TV

Rhonda’s radio interview on Coco Mode - March 4, 2010

USA Today - March 1, 2010

Essence - March 2010

Heart and Soul - February/March 2010

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Fan Feedback

Hello Elaine, My name is Andrea Johnson and your cousin Vanessa Small gave me your contact information. Vanessa was a student in 2 of my courses this summer. I wanted to let you know that I read your book and it is absolutely awesome. What is amazing is that I saw it by accident. I was on my way out of Barnes and Nobles and just happened to look to my right and the little black book caught my attention. I immediately picked it up and knew it was something I needed. I really loved how the chapters were really short and to the point along with the cultural codes and MAMAisms. The information was definitely confirmation for me in many areas and it inspired me as well as challenged me to continue to press on in the areas I need to improve in. Last year I received my Ph.D. in Leadership Studies and this book was the icing on the cake. As the saying goes "when the student is ready the teacher will appear" and I was definitely in a place where I was ready to receive this information. I will continue to spread the word about this wonderful book to other African American women.


Last night's event was outstanding, thanks to the three of you.  Audience members were approaching us afterward saying things like "thank you so much for hosting this" and "I want to get more involved in working for women's rights."  I've attended many great NOW-NYC events, but I felt that last night's event was in a class by itself in terms of the positive energy from the speakers, the terrific substance of your presentation, and the really enthusiastic audience response.  I can only imagine the time and energy that events like this must demand from you, and I think the audience members reaped huge benefits from your generous gifts of time, information, wisdom, humor, and sisterhood.  

I hope we work together again soon!  Thank you again for a memorable, exceptional event.  

All I can say is WOW! You three ROCK! The feedback we have gotten from last night’s event is more positive than any educational program I’ve been a part of in the five years I’ve been working at NOW.

We can’t thank you enough. So many people were inspired and the three of you are so complementary and clearly you are filling a big void. The unique experiences and contributions of black women in corporate America haven’t been talked about enough – until now that is.

Thank you so much for all that you are doing to reach out to and help women succeed. I can’t thank you enough for giving our group your valuable time, your warmth and caring and your indispensible advice.

Please let me know if there’s anything I and NOW can do for you. Thank you again such a powerful program last night.

I just finished "The Little Black Book of Success" and wanted you (and your collaborators) to know how much I enjoyed it.  While it was written with Black women in mind, I found that much of the direction given could apply to any woman.  Being an older woman, I found myself thinking, Wow, so much of this makes perfect sense, almost second nature, that I wish we had something like this way back when. I especially loved all the "Mamaisms," and how well they could apply to our everyday work/play life.

Thank you for putting me in touch with my Inner Black Woman!!  Your book is "must reading" for everyone who is engaged in the world today and it's lessons and insights are indeed beyond color and speak to us all.  Kudos to you and thank you for a wonderful reading experience!

Very nice. The blog talk gave really good points on, how I should handle and respond to uncomfortable situations at my job. Thanks. This was right on time. I love the mommaisms! Straighten up that face! That's me. I have to always remember that. Thanks again.

Just wanted to thank you for inviting me to the book signing yesterday. I really enjoyed listening to you and Rhonda share excerpts from the The Little Black Book of Success. I realized that you aren't just promoting a book, but an experience. Women are resonating with your message and engaging in conversations that can empower them to reach the next level. What an exciting way to share your passion. I look forward to seeing you spread your "mama-isms"on Oprah real soon.

Dear Rhonda: Many, many kudos to you and your writing partners. Your book is so attractive outside and oh so full of wisdom inside. I just wish that this book had been available during my working days.

I'm a retired Court Reporter from NY State Supreme Court and Pat Neal turned me onto you quite sometime ago. I would loved to have been able to attend one of the book signings but other commitments prevailed. Pat's email to me, describing the event in Harlem, sounded so exciting that it filled me with envy; particularly since I am a self-publisher myself, having had only one real book signing and that was in California.

Here's wishing the very best to you, Ms Brown and Ms Haygood. Bask in every minute. I do have your book; I've read my favorite chapters, and I'm going to purchase two more copies as gifts, trying to help you reach your goal.

Rhonda, I did enjoy this....but not as much as I'm enjoying The Little Black Book of Success. I am SO proud of you. I certainly wish I had a book like this as a resource when I was moving up the ladder. I have one for my daughter, and I'll order another for HER daughter. A TREMENDOUS thank you to you, Elaine and Marsha for sharing your insights and offering this meaningful advice.

I just bought The Little Black Book of Success: Laws of Leadership for Black Women and I want to personally say thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge with those of us who are "up and coming" in our careers. Unfortunately many of us, including myself, lack true mentors when it comes to career and personal development so this is a great opportunity for us to get such great insight from powerful Black women leaders.

I just started reading the book today and I am going to purchase my PLN tomorrow! Once again, thank you for reminding me that I am a VIP and to not let anything hinder my inner spirit. I am looking forward to finishing this book and I'm sure it's going to be something that I value for the rest of my life.

I have been anxiously awaiting the book release and finally, March 2nd is here! I have been reading for a couple hours and have completed the ninth chapter and decided to do two things:

1- Pause. Reflect upon what I have learned before I digest too much, too quickly and forget critical pearls of wisdom.

2-Write you to say "Thank you!" So far, so excellent! There are many young women, like myself, who are in need of a professional mentor in the purse or just a good "talking to" as you three have done for me.

I am ecstatic about finishing, re-read to gage progress, and paying it forward to others.

If the three of you would ever venture to Norfolk, VA for a book signing, appearance, or the like, WE WELCOME YOU.

Thank You for this book. I have been waiting for a leadership book tailored towards Black Women.

I am already inspired by this book by only reading an excerpt. I have been an employee at a company for 13 years and a supervisor for almost 2 years. I thought I was playing it safe by remaining in my position for over 10 years because the lay offs almost never happened and the money was good. Now I have stepped out of my comfort zone into a leadership role and things are beginning to become a little uncomfortable for me because of all the politics I never knew existed. I am ready for position. I just want to know how to play the game before the game plays me.

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Website Workshop

To Begin: Write the answers to your responses in your PLN (Personal Leadership Notebook) to keep track of your notes and progress. Your PLN can be any notebook or journal dedicated to your Leadership journey.

1. List the mentors you have consulted with in your career and ask yourself the following:
   
   Are they the same race?
   
   Are they the same sex?
   
   Are they in the same industry as you or in a different industry?
   
   Are they older, younger or in your peer group?
   
   To gain the most from Mentors they should come in all shapes, sizes and colors, and be both sexes.
2. List the ways in which you have involved mentors in your career to achieve your leadership objectives?
3. How often do you stay in touch with your Mentor(s)?
4. List the ways that you would like to work with your mentors to make you even more successful.

To learn more about building your "Success Team" with mentors, peers and others, to tap into your potential and achieve your Leadership goals, read The Little Black Book of Success: Laws of Leadership for Black Women.

Order Now:
amazon.com
barnesandnoble.com
borders.com
indiebound.org
powells.com
booksamillion.com
randomhouse.com



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