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Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work
Cathie Black is the wise, funny mentor that every woman dreams of having. 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. Now, in the exuberant, down-to-earth voice that is her trademark, Cathie explains how she achieved “the 360° life”—a blend of professional accomplishment and personal contentment—and how any woman can seize opportunity in the workplace.
No matter where you are in your career, Basic Black offers invaluable lessons that will help you land the job, promotion, or project you’re vying for. At the core of the book are Cathie’s candid, personal stories. She walks us through her decision to risk dropping a huge ad agency that handled the USA Today campaign in favor of a small boutique agency run by a wild man. (It was a smash.) She admits that her sometimes brusque style once led to a mutiny of staffers at Ms. (She learned to be more flexible in her managerial style.) She offers a clear-eyed look at what happened during the twenty-eight months between the launch and the close of the much-
buzzed-about Talk magazine. And throughout, she offers fascinating glimpses of media and business personalities, such as Rupert Murdoch, Tina Brown, Frank Bennack, Vic Ganzi, former CosmoGirl! editor Atoosa Rubenstein, Bonnie Fuller, and the legendarily difficult Al Neuharth, founder of USA Today .
Above all, Basic Black is motivating. It provides a close-up look at the keen judgment, perseverance, and optimism that have propelled Cathie Black to the top of her game, along with the kind of straight-up practical advice you get in a one-on-one session with a career coach. You’ll find out how to handle job interviews, which rules to break, and why you should make your life a grudge-free zone. Equally important, you’ll be inspired to pursue your passions and achieve your very best.
No matter where you are in your career, Basic Black offers invaluable lessons that will help you land the job, promotion, or project you’re vying for. At the core of the book are Cathie’s candid, personal stories. She walks us through her decision to risk dropping a huge ad agency that handled the USA Today campaign in favor of a small boutique agency run by a wild man. (It was a smash.) She admits that her sometimes brusque style once led to a mutiny of staffers at Ms. (She learned to be more flexible in her managerial style.) She offers a clear-eyed look at what happened during the twenty-eight months between the launch and the close of the much-
buzzed-about Talk magazine. And throughout, she offers fascinating glimpses of media and business personalities, such as Rupert Murdoch, Tina Brown, Frank Bennack, Vic Ganzi, former CosmoGirl! editor Atoosa Rubenstein, Bonnie Fuller, and the legendarily difficult Al Neuharth, founder of USA Today .
Above all, Basic Black is motivating. It provides a close-up look at the keen judgment, perseverance, and optimism that have propelled Cathie Black to the top of her game, along with the kind of straight-up practical advice you get in a one-on-one session with a career coach. You’ll find out how to handle job interviews, which rules to break, and why you should make your life a grudge-free zone. Equally important, you’ll be inspired to pursue your passions and achieve your very best.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
83 people are currently reading
1611 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
March 11, 2008
Despite this book's subtitle stating that it is a "Guide," I felt this book was more of a memoir than a how-to. It has components of both, and succeeds as neither.
Some of Black's anecdotes about her rise to the top were memorable -- most notably the one in which she very publicly gives one of her superiors a giant tomato from her garden, in order to make an impression on him.
But Black doesn't succeed in turning the anecdote into a lesson. It's just a story about a stunt she pulled to publicize herself -- and in the telling, it comes off as a lame stunt at that. (She also kept referring to the tomato as a "vegetable," which drove me nuts.)
Oddly enough, a few chapters later, she talks about a hopeful interviewee who sent her a four-foot-tall potted plant as a thank-you gift. Black makes fun of the gift and advises against readers doing something similar. I don't get it. Why is it clever for Black to go to a big meeting and give somebody a giant tomato, but it's stupid for a potential new hire to send Black a large plant?
Basic Black is full of muddles like this. In another anecdote, Black talks about the first executive resort getaway she organized after joining Hearst. She tells us that she booked the getaway at a Florida resort that was "not your father's resort," and yet she doesn't give other details to show why the place was so different, special, and fabulous. She does mention that the decor features sweeping floor-to-ceiling draperies.
Later, she describes making a speech to the Hearst execs, and makes a big deal about her rallying cry of, "It's time to shake the dust off the curtains at Hearst!" At which point, she gestured to the resort's big curtains.
Uh, OK. So that was it? You pointed at the curtains, AND...?
And nothing. That's the end of the story. Apparently she is to be congratulated for booking a resort that had fantastic curtains, and then working the curtains into her speech. The book doesn't go any deeper into the Big Curtain Metaphor to provide any advice for the reader. The anecdote falls flat.
As does much of the book. I found very little in it that was interesting or worthwhile. The "Devil is in the Details" chapter was probably the best one. It broke out, in list form, various dos and don'ts of maintaining and upgrading one's career and personal relationships.
But there is very little actual "advice" in this book, so don't be fooled by the subtitle, or by a quick flip-through -- those little red-boxed bits of "advice" peppered through the text were more like lame fortune-cookie fortunes, empty aphorisms.
Some of Black's anecdotes about her rise to the top were memorable -- most notably the one in which she very publicly gives one of her superiors a giant tomato from her garden, in order to make an impression on him.
But Black doesn't succeed in turning the anecdote into a lesson. It's just a story about a stunt she pulled to publicize herself -- and in the telling, it comes off as a lame stunt at that. (She also kept referring to the tomato as a "vegetable," which drove me nuts.)
Oddly enough, a few chapters later, she talks about a hopeful interviewee who sent her a four-foot-tall potted plant as a thank-you gift. Black makes fun of the gift and advises against readers doing something similar. I don't get it. Why is it clever for Black to go to a big meeting and give somebody a giant tomato, but it's stupid for a potential new hire to send Black a large plant?
Basic Black is full of muddles like this. In another anecdote, Black talks about the first executive resort getaway she organized after joining Hearst. She tells us that she booked the getaway at a Florida resort that was "not your father's resort," and yet she doesn't give other details to show why the place was so different, special, and fabulous. She does mention that the decor features sweeping floor-to-ceiling draperies.
Later, she describes making a speech to the Hearst execs, and makes a big deal about her rallying cry of, "It's time to shake the dust off the curtains at Hearst!" At which point, she gestured to the resort's big curtains.
Uh, OK. So that was it? You pointed at the curtains, AND...?
And nothing. That's the end of the story. Apparently she is to be congratulated for booking a resort that had fantastic curtains, and then working the curtains into her speech. The book doesn't go any deeper into the Big Curtain Metaphor to provide any advice for the reader. The anecdote falls flat.
As does much of the book. I found very little in it that was interesting or worthwhile. The "Devil is in the Details" chapter was probably the best one. It broke out, in list form, various dos and don'ts of maintaining and upgrading one's career and personal relationships.
But there is very little actual "advice" in this book, so don't be fooled by the subtitle, or by a quick flip-through -- those little red-boxed bits of "advice" peppered through the text were more like lame fortune-cookie fortunes, empty aphorisms.
March 19, 2008
Gift from Becky Bench. My favorite quick tips for the key to success- Drive, Power, and Passion
1. Remember to learn from teachable moments
2. Make sure your job responsibilities are clearly define
3. Demonstrate drive by communicating with passion and taking actions to be prepared
4. Show your peers, boss, clients, and competitors you are the most prepared
5. Create a reputation for making the extra effort is a great way to get noticed
6. Be sure of yourself to engage people in a bold and unusual way
7. Find ways to get things done – no excuses
8. Avoiding risks will not keep you safe or guarantee a smooth life
9. How can I make my appearance work for me
10. Remove “I think” from your written and verbal communication- it only serves to downplay any point you are making
11. Focus on the End Game- if you are producing the results that your job requires- whatever happens in the interim- no matter how intense or frustrating is just noise…tune it out!
12. Remember to ask, “Is this a good idea? How soon can it succeed?”
13. Build support for an idea, plan, or action in advance of a meeting
14. Its vital to seek satisfaction in all aspects of your life, not just work
15. Having it all or the 360 degree life isn’t about reaching the top in everything you do, its about achieving balance- personal life, work, friends, family- the deepest satisfaction
16. I am more likely to get ahead if I stay single and work harder. True or False?
17. Time and energy are finite- make smart decisions and sacrafices
18. Humility and modesty are valuable personal qualities- but they wont advance your position in the workplace
19. Value yourself by your aspirations not your limitations
20. Use the vacation time you’ve earned; restore yourself- be refreshed
21. Focus on being respected rather than being liked
22. Key part of any team strategy is to refresh and reinvent- however, maintain and preserve the essential character
23. Explore product enhancements while knowing which boundaries should be left in tact
24. Bring something to the table no one else can or will
25. The ethical decision is always the right decision
26. If you are willing to take blame for losses- take credit for successes
27. Establish a track record of success not just the latest achievement- achieve over the long haul
28. The first half of your life is spent chasing success; the second half is spent chasing significance. Don’t wait until the end of your career to think about the meaning of your work
29. If you want something done, give it to a busy person. People who have too little to do often end up wasting time, while those with full plates tend to work at full speed until everything is done…the people who appear the busiest are also the ones who are the most reliable.
1. Remember to learn from teachable moments
2. Make sure your job responsibilities are clearly define
3. Demonstrate drive by communicating with passion and taking actions to be prepared
4. Show your peers, boss, clients, and competitors you are the most prepared
5. Create a reputation for making the extra effort is a great way to get noticed
6. Be sure of yourself to engage people in a bold and unusual way
7. Find ways to get things done – no excuses
8. Avoiding risks will not keep you safe or guarantee a smooth life
9. How can I make my appearance work for me
10. Remove “I think” from your written and verbal communication- it only serves to downplay any point you are making
11. Focus on the End Game- if you are producing the results that your job requires- whatever happens in the interim- no matter how intense or frustrating is just noise…tune it out!
12. Remember to ask, “Is this a good idea? How soon can it succeed?”
13. Build support for an idea, plan, or action in advance of a meeting
14. Its vital to seek satisfaction in all aspects of your life, not just work
15. Having it all or the 360 degree life isn’t about reaching the top in everything you do, its about achieving balance- personal life, work, friends, family- the deepest satisfaction
16. I am more likely to get ahead if I stay single and work harder. True or False?
17. Time and energy are finite- make smart decisions and sacrafices
18. Humility and modesty are valuable personal qualities- but they wont advance your position in the workplace
19. Value yourself by your aspirations not your limitations
20. Use the vacation time you’ve earned; restore yourself- be refreshed
21. Focus on being respected rather than being liked
22. Key part of any team strategy is to refresh and reinvent- however, maintain and preserve the essential character
23. Explore product enhancements while knowing which boundaries should be left in tact
24. Bring something to the table no one else can or will
25. The ethical decision is always the right decision
26. If you are willing to take blame for losses- take credit for successes
27. Establish a track record of success not just the latest achievement- achieve over the long haul
28. The first half of your life is spent chasing success; the second half is spent chasing significance. Don’t wait until the end of your career to think about the meaning of your work
29. If you want something done, give it to a busy person. People who have too little to do often end up wasting time, while those with full plates tend to work at full speed until everything is done…the people who appear the busiest are also the ones who are the most reliable.
December 18, 2007
Cathie Black is very well-known in the publishing world, as she's the president of Hearst Magazines. She's a bad-ass. Really, she is. This book was aimed at all women in business - sort of a call to arms to get yourself together, get your co-workers (especially other women) working together, and deal with men. She is very honest about the fact that she's often seen as being bossy, but she emphasizes that she's learned from her many mistakes, and wants the best for her companies all the time. She clarifies the fact that you don't have to be a pushover to get people to like you, and want to work for you. There's a whole chapter on how you don't have to be everyone's best friend and confidante - something I think women struggle with a lot. It's like we're either the office b!tch, or the office shoulder to cry on. There isn't a whole lot of middle ground.
I really found the case studies relevant. They weren't like Judy's old case studies, either. The book was really smart, highly respectful of other colleagues who might not have agreed with her, and really empowering. I don't read business books (ever), but this really made sense to me. And she gives a little insight into what she calls "The 360 Degrees Life," going into how she thinks you can balance family and a career.
The one thing that started to bother me is that she approaches everything from the business end of publishing, not the creative end. And she recognizes the fact that they're two separate divisions. But sometimes I just felt like she was only discussing the deal end business, not the creative work that goes into producing an end product. But there were plenty of passages that I was writing down in my journal, or whole chapters that I've copied for my bulletin board.
Good stuff. Throughout the book, I was thinking to myself "I would work for Cathie Black in a heartbeat."
I really found the case studies relevant. They weren't like Judy's old case studies, either. The book was really smart, highly respectful of other colleagues who might not have agreed with her, and really empowering. I don't read business books (ever), but this really made sense to me. And she gives a little insight into what she calls "The 360 Degrees Life," going into how she thinks you can balance family and a career.
The one thing that started to bother me is that she approaches everything from the business end of publishing, not the creative end. And she recognizes the fact that they're two separate divisions. But sometimes I just felt like she was only discussing the deal end business, not the creative work that goes into producing an end product. But there were plenty of passages that I was writing down in my journal, or whole chapters that I've copied for my bulletin board.
Good stuff. Throughout the book, I was thinking to myself "I would work for Cathie Black in a heartbeat."
June 9, 2011
I loved reading Cathie Black's "Basic Black." I bought this book the day after I accepted an offer for my first professional job after college and it couldn't have prepared me more for the workplace, being a woman in the workplace, learning how to be a leader, and much, much more.
Some people may find this book to be too much about the media bizz, but her anecdotes and stories really do cross many professional careers and can be applicable to almost anyone, especially women. I wouldn't recommend this for guys, but for you ladies out there it is really an inspiring read.
At the end of the book Cathie mentions how giving back is so important and fulfilling in a career, and I couldn't agree more. Being philanthropic not only fulfills you in "a way that your job may not be able to" but it really sets the tone for how other people perceive you, in a few ways. It doesn't matter how much you give, or what you give (wheter it's your time, talent, or treasure) but giving back in any way you can to an organization or institution that you care about is so, so important.
Pick up Cathie's book if you are a newbie to the professional world, a seasoned vet, or someone on the job hunt. There are so many valuable lessons! Plus, Cathie is so warm, funny, and welcoming...it is a great book to read on days that you feel like just giving up.
Some people may find this book to be too much about the media bizz, but her anecdotes and stories really do cross many professional careers and can be applicable to almost anyone, especially women. I wouldn't recommend this for guys, but for you ladies out there it is really an inspiring read.
At the end of the book Cathie mentions how giving back is so important and fulfilling in a career, and I couldn't agree more. Being philanthropic not only fulfills you in "a way that your job may not be able to" but it really sets the tone for how other people perceive you, in a few ways. It doesn't matter how much you give, or what you give (wheter it's your time, talent, or treasure) but giving back in any way you can to an organization or institution that you care about is so, so important.
Pick up Cathie's book if you are a newbie to the professional world, a seasoned vet, or someone on the job hunt. There are so many valuable lessons! Plus, Cathie is so warm, funny, and welcoming...it is a great book to read on days that you feel like just giving up.
Read
May 18, 2011This lady is a hypocrite. The advice makes sense if you want to move up in the corporate world, but it also reminded me of why I hate Corporate America.
I looked her up and saw that she had just resigned from an appointed position as the head of education in NYC. Funny, but she has a whole section about not pretending to work in fields that one knows nothing about. She specifically said she was offered lots of positions in fields that had nothing to do with media but declined them because it wasn't what she does best. Then she went on to say how she had no problem staying out of the numbers part of the magazine world because she wasn't an accountant and that's not where her interest lies but then she accepts an education position by her friend the mayor....she had absolutely no experience whatsoever in education.
She made horrible remarks to the cities parents, one of which was her idea of helping the schools overpopulation was to teach adults about birth control. That completely overshadowed anything good about this book. I lost all respect for this person.
However, if you are a young career gal looking to step on...I mean move up in the corporate world, this is the book for you.
I looked her up and saw that she had just resigned from an appointed position as the head of education in NYC. Funny, but she has a whole section about not pretending to work in fields that one knows nothing about. She specifically said she was offered lots of positions in fields that had nothing to do with media but declined them because it wasn't what she does best. Then she went on to say how she had no problem staying out of the numbers part of the magazine world because she wasn't an accountant and that's not where her interest lies but then she accepts an education position by her friend the mayor....she had absolutely no experience whatsoever in education.
She made horrible remarks to the cities parents, one of which was her idea of helping the schools overpopulation was to teach adults about birth control. That completely overshadowed anything good about this book. I lost all respect for this person.
However, if you are a young career gal looking to step on...I mean move up in the corporate world, this is the book for you.
March 28, 2016
It starts slow, but stick with it...it gets better!
I ended up really loving this book because although she didn't start with extremely catchy bells and whistles, the content here is great. The stories tend to get you thinking "wait...what was your point" but it comes around. She is putting her experiences and life suggestions in context, not only to build rapport but to help you remember WHY she is saying what she is.
Whether you're a CEO or starting out in the business world...I would really suggest taking a look at "Basic Black". Really great content for anyone in, or hoping to be in manager positions. This was the perfect time in my life to read this book, where I currently manage one person, I see myself moving up to more managerial roles in a large corporation in the next 40 years. Even if you have your MBA, she suggests some really fantastic practical tips for running meetings, attending conferences, and having a good leadership style for your particular employees. I've read another book by a female in a high-up corporate magazine position which initially tainted my view of this book....but stick with "Basic Black"...she really builds rapport and gives some great advice (so don't discount her like I started to just because it was the magazine industry)
I ended up really loving this book because although she didn't start with extremely catchy bells and whistles, the content here is great. The stories tend to get you thinking "wait...what was your point" but it comes around. She is putting her experiences and life suggestions in context, not only to build rapport but to help you remember WHY she is saying what she is.
Whether you're a CEO or starting out in the business world...I would really suggest taking a look at "Basic Black". Really great content for anyone in, or hoping to be in manager positions. This was the perfect time in my life to read this book, where I currently manage one person, I see myself moving up to more managerial roles in a large corporation in the next 40 years. Even if you have your MBA, she suggests some really fantastic practical tips for running meetings, attending conferences, and having a good leadership style for your particular employees. I've read another book by a female in a high-up corporate magazine position which initially tainted my view of this book....but stick with "Basic Black"...she really builds rapport and gives some great advice (so don't discount her like I started to just because it was the magazine industry)
July 27, 2013
Mildly pretentious, this is not your "out-of-school" guide to success, but it does have a few #magicmoments worth sharing:
"...none of this would have mattered if we hadn't begun seizing our moment weeks before the actual moment came."
"Yes, you want to follow your dreams, but sometimes the path to your dreams involves a carefully thought-out detour."
"...instead of agreeing to define myself according to my limitations, I chose to value myself according to my aspirations."
"...none of this would have mattered if we hadn't begun seizing our moment weeks before the actual moment came."
"Yes, you want to follow your dreams, but sometimes the path to your dreams involves a carefully thought-out detour."
"...instead of agreeing to define myself according to my limitations, I chose to value myself according to my aspirations."
March 30, 2013
A should-read autobiograpy on leadership for knowledge workers, managers, directors, C-levels, and entrepreneurs.
March 21, 2019
Really didn’t enjoy this book. I didn’t know of the author beforehand so her accomplishments, though significant, didn’t really impress me. It was about twice as long as I could stand and it didn’t age well in the past decade.
May 4, 2013
Although I enjoyed this book, I'm not sure I would recommend it, at least not over several other career advice books. The book is "basic" in that much of the advice is the same that I'd heard elsewhere, but on the other hand Cathie Black seems to be speaking primarily to 1) women who 2) work in business and 3) want to climb the corporate ladder as she did, as so her stories and the advice she draws from them are heavily colored by that perspective.
What I liked about the book was the stories, more so than the lessons the reader was supposed to get from them. Black had a long career in the media business and so has many interesting stories about experiences with bosses, clients, coworkers, and employees, and it is these stories that are likely to stay with me. Sometimes I agreed with the lessons she shared, but sometimes I felt they were a stretch or even in conflict with one another -- such as telling two stories in which lying to one's boss was the best strategy, while later talking about how being ethical is always more important than getting ahead. At some points she talks as if getting ahead is always the most important thing, even if it means being in a hostile work environment, while in her section on the "360-degree life" she talks about needing to be in the right environment where you can thrive.
I think what she says near the very end is the most true -- that the skill that's most helped her has been the ability to adapt to change. This, however, doesn't lend itself to a book full of lessons for use in any situation; it's more valuable instead to see how she (or others) handled each individual situation and what the result was.
I appreciated that Black doesn't shy away from using examples of her own mistakes and missteps in order to show what not to do. This provides a lesson not just in how to handle one's own blunders, but also in the fact that Black continued to have success despite occasionally making mistakes. I thought she probably could have gotten through the book without sharing stories of other people's problems and mistakes, sometimes identifying them by their full names, but the consequences of that are her own to deal with and didn't necessarily impact the quality of the book. However, I do think she may have been overly enamored by Al Neuharth, as she attempted to draw leadership lessons from his behaviors that were essentially bullying, simply because they got results.
Reading this book in 2013 meant it was somewhat shadowed by my knowledge of what happened to Black in the years following the publication of the book -- namely, her disastrous experience attempting to become chancellor of New York City Schools, a gig that lasted only 95 days. It's hard to believe that you're getting solid advice from someone who clearly still has some lessons of her own to learn.
In the end, while I enjoyed the stories and the book gave me a lot to think about, I felt the lesson format was somewhat forced and the lessons inconsistent. It's perhaps most valuable for a specific audience (women in business wanting to advance), but there are better books out there for anyone outside of that audience looking for career or life advice.
What I liked about the book was the stories, more so than the lessons the reader was supposed to get from them. Black had a long career in the media business and so has many interesting stories about experiences with bosses, clients, coworkers, and employees, and it is these stories that are likely to stay with me. Sometimes I agreed with the lessons she shared, but sometimes I felt they were a stretch or even in conflict with one another -- such as telling two stories in which lying to one's boss was the best strategy, while later talking about how being ethical is always more important than getting ahead. At some points she talks as if getting ahead is always the most important thing, even if it means being in a hostile work environment, while in her section on the "360-degree life" she talks about needing to be in the right environment where you can thrive.
I think what she says near the very end is the most true -- that the skill that's most helped her has been the ability to adapt to change. This, however, doesn't lend itself to a book full of lessons for use in any situation; it's more valuable instead to see how she (or others) handled each individual situation and what the result was.
I appreciated that Black doesn't shy away from using examples of her own mistakes and missteps in order to show what not to do. This provides a lesson not just in how to handle one's own blunders, but also in the fact that Black continued to have success despite occasionally making mistakes. I thought she probably could have gotten through the book without sharing stories of other people's problems and mistakes, sometimes identifying them by their full names, but the consequences of that are her own to deal with and didn't necessarily impact the quality of the book. However, I do think she may have been overly enamored by Al Neuharth, as she attempted to draw leadership lessons from his behaviors that were essentially bullying, simply because they got results.
Reading this book in 2013 meant it was somewhat shadowed by my knowledge of what happened to Black in the years following the publication of the book -- namely, her disastrous experience attempting to become chancellor of New York City Schools, a gig that lasted only 95 days. It's hard to believe that you're getting solid advice from someone who clearly still has some lessons of her own to learn.
In the end, while I enjoyed the stories and the book gave me a lot to think about, I felt the lesson format was somewhat forced and the lessons inconsistent. It's perhaps most valuable for a specific audience (women in business wanting to advance), but there are better books out there for anyone outside of that audience looking for career or life advice.
June 2, 2015
Not so much a how to book, but a self reflection on the subtleties of the work place. Cathie Black is President and CEO of Hearst Magazines, which include Oprah, Cosmo, Cosmo Girl, and a ton of others. She talks about her work life throughout the years… from graduating college and expectations in the work place to her life now and how she got there.
One of my favorite stories includes her roommate and the difference of being told what to do specifically and knowing yourself what is expected of you. While your job and your boss can explain things, there is a point that you should know as a grown adult and the position you have what is expected of the job without being micro managed. (This particular part came at a time in my work place where I felt like I had to micro manage).
I also think that I have learned a lot, especially the importance of having a mentor in your workplace that can help guide you. At the same time, I do believe that there are many things that I already do in my work life, this being common sense to me, but not a lot of other people. This of course brings me to my next point, are there different expectations in the workplace now with my generation such as; graduating college and expecting at 80K plus job right out of school? I think times have changed, especially with technology and the easy of working from home. I also think that we have moved from a society of social work interaction to barely speaking on the phone. The ease of email and texting has moved us to place where you don’t have to ever see anyone; meetings are done via teleconference and even beyond that gotomeeting where you don’t even have to speak with anyone, just type in your screen and see what they are doing 10,000 miles away with the same screen.
What is the same, the expectations of respect, being at work on time, and proper channels of communication. Cathie Black puts all this into prospective, speaking of taking risks and challenging yourself while understanding your self worth. I think every woman in the work place that strives to achieve higher standards should be reading this book.
Way to go Cathie!
One of my favorite stories includes her roommate and the difference of being told what to do specifically and knowing yourself what is expected of you. While your job and your boss can explain things, there is a point that you should know as a grown adult and the position you have what is expected of the job without being micro managed. (This particular part came at a time in my work place where I felt like I had to micro manage).
I also think that I have learned a lot, especially the importance of having a mentor in your workplace that can help guide you. At the same time, I do believe that there are many things that I already do in my work life, this being common sense to me, but not a lot of other people. This of course brings me to my next point, are there different expectations in the workplace now with my generation such as; graduating college and expecting at 80K plus job right out of school? I think times have changed, especially with technology and the easy of working from home. I also think that we have moved from a society of social work interaction to barely speaking on the phone. The ease of email and texting has moved us to place where you don’t have to ever see anyone; meetings are done via teleconference and even beyond that gotomeeting where you don’t even have to speak with anyone, just type in your screen and see what they are doing 10,000 miles away with the same screen.
What is the same, the expectations of respect, being at work on time, and proper channels of communication. Cathie Black puts all this into prospective, speaking of taking risks and challenging yourself while understanding your self worth. I think every woman in the work place that strives to achieve higher standards should be reading this book.
Way to go Cathie!
September 11, 2016
Recently, I listened to the audiobook version of Basic Black during my work commute. Basic Black shares the story of Cathie Black, who is known as the media's world guru. Cathie Black is the president of Hearst Magazines, and she uses her memoir to emphasize how to be successful in career and life by sharing her lessons. Her humble beginnings, her determination to be successful, and her perseverance inspire me.
I like Basic Black because of Cathie's honesty. She does not paint a picture of her life being a bed of roses. She not only shares her successes, but she includes her mistakes. She desires for the reader to learn from her mistakes or her exposure to the mistakes of others. Laced with humor and wisdom, Basic Black functions as a manual to maneuver through life and work.
The beginning of the book sets the tone for it. Cathie explains how she was caught using company time and resources to copy her resume. She forgot to remove the original copy from the copier. The senior executive was the person, who informed her about this mistake. I am sure that she probably could have died, but Cathie used this as a learning experience. I especially liked the story of getting Oprah to create a magazine with Hearst. Through the story, I gained insight about being adequately prepared and knowing the audience.
Additionally, Basic Black identifies the importance of being driven, having passion, choosing risks, and developing as a leader. Through her book, Cathie gives advice that people, who do not have a mentor, can benefit. The advice that she gives is not a one size fits all, but she shares her lessons to ensure that you can understand what you could learn from her experiences and mistakes.
I would recommend Basic Black to entrepreneurs, career changers, and anyone interested in being inspired or motivated in their current jobs. I am glad that I read this book for the second time.
I like Basic Black because of Cathie's honesty. She does not paint a picture of her life being a bed of roses. She not only shares her successes, but she includes her mistakes. She desires for the reader to learn from her mistakes or her exposure to the mistakes of others. Laced with humor and wisdom, Basic Black functions as a manual to maneuver through life and work.
The beginning of the book sets the tone for it. Cathie explains how she was caught using company time and resources to copy her resume. She forgot to remove the original copy from the copier. The senior executive was the person, who informed her about this mistake. I am sure that she probably could have died, but Cathie used this as a learning experience. I especially liked the story of getting Oprah to create a magazine with Hearst. Through the story, I gained insight about being adequately prepared and knowing the audience.
Additionally, Basic Black identifies the importance of being driven, having passion, choosing risks, and developing as a leader. Through her book, Cathie gives advice that people, who do not have a mentor, can benefit. The advice that she gives is not a one size fits all, but she shares her lessons to ensure that you can understand what you could learn from her experiences and mistakes.
I would recommend Basic Black to entrepreneurs, career changers, and anyone interested in being inspired or motivated in their current jobs. I am glad that I read this book for the second time.
October 22, 2011
This is a nice little book of career and professional advice from Cathie Black, the President of Hearst Magazines. A self-described middle-class girl from the South Side of Chicago, Black worked her way up through the magazine and publishing industry to now be rated as one of the 50 most powerful female executives in the U.S. In giving career advice, she shares many anecdotes from her own life and work, and these stories are consistently entertaining. The book is written in a breezy style and is a quick read.
I agree with much of Ms. Black's career advice and many of her talking points are things I have found myself saying to the students I work with as well. Having things I believe - and even things I teach - authenticated by a powerful business leader is, of course, gratifying.
My one (relatively minor) complaint, is that Ms. Black's world is so different from that of the average person that it is sometimes difficult to relate to her stories. She lives and moves in a high-powered, well-heeled world of celebrities, businesspeople and politicians and writes at times as if this world is normative. Many readers will find themselves feeling a bit like Sabrina in the movie of the same name - we're just sitting in the tree looking in on the powerful people at the party. The danger of course, is that we may feel like this world has nothing to do with us. Hopefully, despite the differences of class or income, readers will realize that Ms. Black's advice has relevance to them as well.
I agree with much of Ms. Black's career advice and many of her talking points are things I have found myself saying to the students I work with as well. Having things I believe - and even things I teach - authenticated by a powerful business leader is, of course, gratifying.
My one (relatively minor) complaint, is that Ms. Black's world is so different from that of the average person that it is sometimes difficult to relate to her stories. She lives and moves in a high-powered, well-heeled world of celebrities, businesspeople and politicians and writes at times as if this world is normative. Many readers will find themselves feeling a bit like Sabrina in the movie of the same name - we're just sitting in the tree looking in on the powerful people at the party. The danger of course, is that we may feel like this world has nothing to do with us. Hopefully, despite the differences of class or income, readers will realize that Ms. Black's advice has relevance to them as well.
October 22, 2009
A must-read for any woman (or any guy, frankly) in her twenties and starting her career. It can also be a useful refresher for those in the middle of their professional lives who may have let themselves slide a bit too much or those changing their career track.
Written in a frank, direct, and conversational style, Black gives practical advice which draws on her own experience and personal anecdotes. She reminds us of harsh realities most career counselors and college professors never prepare you for (the overly competitive and abrasive coworker, the fact that business can still be an old boys' club, and that yes, you ARE judged by how you dress) and uses personal stories and missteps as teachable moments. She even comes up with small, unexpected lessons, like why she spells her name "Cathie": she just changed it on a whim when she was younger simply because she liked it, but now she uses it as a test to see if people are paying attention. Because, as she points out, if someone doesn't take a minute to double-check the proper spelling of your name, what does that say about how they do business?
Much less obtuse, Art of War-style musings on the nature of modern corporate culture and more of a practical guidebook for conduct in your life post-college. This book is the next best thing to having the powerful Cathie Black as your own mentor and I've actually bought it for my friends as a graduation gift.
Written in a frank, direct, and conversational style, Black gives practical advice which draws on her own experience and personal anecdotes. She reminds us of harsh realities most career counselors and college professors never prepare you for (the overly competitive and abrasive coworker, the fact that business can still be an old boys' club, and that yes, you ARE judged by how you dress) and uses personal stories and missteps as teachable moments. She even comes up with small, unexpected lessons, like why she spells her name "Cathie": she just changed it on a whim when she was younger simply because she liked it, but now she uses it as a test to see if people are paying attention. Because, as she points out, if someone doesn't take a minute to double-check the proper spelling of your name, what does that say about how they do business?
Much less obtuse, Art of War-style musings on the nature of modern corporate culture and more of a practical guidebook for conduct in your life post-college. This book is the next best thing to having the powerful Cathie Black as your own mentor and I've actually bought it for my friends as a graduation gift.
August 23, 2008
Cathie Black is probably someone in real life that I would find intense and perhaps grating, but I found her book surprisingly easy to read, anecdotal-full and punchy, much like the successful magazines that make her company (Hearst magazines) rich. Must be why I liked this book.
I found Black's suggestions on women in the working world helpful, full of humor, and not that lecturing. Generally, I found her inspiring. She gears her book toward a younger generation, who don't have to face as many of the discrimination challenges our moms did. (It's still not over though!)
That said, Black's feminist tendencies didn't really appear till the end of the book, although they weren't that problematic for me, as I though they might. What I found the most useful was her discussion about what she calls the "360 Life"-- using your talents and the time we have to achevie balance, not doing everything.
I found Black's suggestions on women in the working world helpful, full of humor, and not that lecturing. Generally, I found her inspiring. She gears her book toward a younger generation, who don't have to face as many of the discrimination challenges our moms did. (It's still not over though!)
That said, Black's feminist tendencies didn't really appear till the end of the book, although they weren't that problematic for me, as I though they might. What I found the most useful was her discussion about what she calls the "360 Life"-- using your talents and the time we have to achevie balance, not doing everything.
September 22, 2013
This book was just ok. it is definitely aimed at women just starting out, but I get really seriously annoyed by executives blathering on about women in corporate America and then admitting that they hate the idea of giving their employees the flexibility to work from home. Really? In this day and age I find this appalling. it reminds me of that stupid Marisa Meyer who insists that all Yahoo employees be in the office everyday, but then she installs a nursery in her office. I don't want to boil the whole book down to this single issue though. Her anecdotes about working with Al Neuharth were interesting but what would have been more useful is to turn those anecdotes into lessons on how to work for a notoriously difficult person. What is lacking here is distilling those experiences into something the user could use.
If you are over 25, don't bother with this one, unless you have a particular interest in the magazine publishing world.
If you are over 25, don't bother with this one, unless you have a particular interest in the magazine publishing world.
September 21, 2011
Cathie Black is the former president of Hearst Magazines. I can't put this book down...it received a lot of criticism that it's not really a 'guide' as the subtitle states, and more of a memoir, but I feel that I'm learning a lot from her work stories. Plus, she gives a ton of tips on everything from job interviews to dealing with difficult coworkers to how to lead a team. Her tone is warm and approachable, and even though she has had a huge, successful career, she never comes across as a braggart or a know-it-all. I was really impressed with this book. In my opinion, a lot of these types of books (career/management books for women) are a bit dry and formulaic. Black's book takes the genre and makes it much more palatable. I'd love to hear what others think, because it looks like I'm in the minority!!
January 25, 2008
Ok, so I didn't really read this book. I listened to it on my iPod. I figured I should do something productive with all that time I spend commuting. Besides I love fiction so much it's hard to get myself to read non-fiction when I do actually have time to sit down and read. Nothing will replace the feeling of cuddling up with a good book that I can hold and read.
I liked this book, especially since it talked about the publishing world. The narrator was not the author, but the narrator has a great voice. She also voiced "The Devil Wears Prada" and did a great job. Cathie Black offers great career advice. I don't know if I would agree she has the 360 degree life. It seems to be really heavy on the work side.
I liked this book, especially since it talked about the publishing world. The narrator was not the author, but the narrator has a great voice. She also voiced "The Devil Wears Prada" and did a great job. Cathie Black offers great career advice. I don't know if I would agree she has the 360 degree life. It seems to be really heavy on the work side.
December 10, 2012
Essential, you are not. Experience to share, a definite gem
About time for a re-read! I read this a few years ago while in university and really found it inspiring despite Cathie Black being in a completely different field. She's an engaging writer with many anecdotes to share. I picked it up not really expecting much, but was pleasantly surprised.
She did a great job balancing her personal voice with succinct "what this means to your life" summaries, whether it was with case studies, use of bullet lists, boxing key quotable phrases and bold, simple chapter titles.
I'd be interested to read her thoughts and reflections of life/society decades down the road. What a smart, insightful woman!
About time for a re-read! I read this a few years ago while in university and really found it inspiring despite Cathie Black being in a completely different field. She's an engaging writer with many anecdotes to share. I picked it up not really expecting much, but was pleasantly surprised.
She did a great job balancing her personal voice with succinct "what this means to your life" summaries, whether it was with case studies, use of bullet lists, boxing key quotable phrases and bold, simple chapter titles.
I'd be interested to read her thoughts and reflections of life/society decades down the road. What a smart, insightful woman!
August 5, 2016
Maybe this is an older book but I didn't find anything particularly unique or novel here. The "advice" was very basic and I'd heard it all before. I also didn't feel like there was much actionable information. My impression was that the author didn't dip much below the surface. She says it helps to have confidence and her advice is to be confident. Then she basically admits she's always been confident, so she doesn't know what it's like if you're not. What do you do with that? She's clearly a successful woman but I don't think this book does much more than discuss her journey in a way that's so superficial that you can't really emulate anything she shares. There are some funny stories that are entertaining but its more of an autobiography than a career help book.
February 28, 2008
This book was written to be a proxy mentor and coach to 20 somethings gearing up in their professional lives.
The seven tips Cathie shared with the group that she expands further in the book are:
Life is about passion, guts, fun, determination, risk, and most importantly, who you have relationships with.
Don't personalize what is not personal.
Know the rules before you break them.
It's easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.
Never let them see you sweat.
Practice MBE (management by empathy).
It's not a popularity contest. If you want to be liked, you are not making the hard decisions.
The seven tips Cathie shared with the group that she expands further in the book are:
Life is about passion, guts, fun, determination, risk, and most importantly, who you have relationships with.
Don't personalize what is not personal.
Know the rules before you break them.
It's easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.
Never let them see you sweat.
Practice MBE (management by empathy).
It's not a popularity contest. If you want to be liked, you are not making the hard decisions.
May 9, 2008
I thought that this book gave good insight for woman about entering and/or advancing in the corporate world. Cathie Black is president of Hearst Magazines and although the book focuses on her experiences in the advertising and publishing world, many of the same principles can be applied to other areas of business. There are some great tips in the book, but I felt that some of her stories were a bit long and didn't really add much to the point she was trying to make. Above all, she is inspiring and makes you believe that if you are passionate, hardworking and intuitive, then you can lead a successful 360 degree life.
December 9, 2007
Cathie Black's advice is very usable, entertaining and inspiring. The writing isn't the best, but her voice makes up for that. Biggest lessons: No doesn't mean no ... it just means more information is needed. Don't be afraid to take the credit you're due. Don't let the urgent override the important. Good leaders delegate. And if you want something to get done, give it to the busiest person in the room. (Funniest thing: In the "Devil is in the Details" chapter, there's a MASSIVE typo ... I got a chuckle out of that!).
February 27, 2008
This is one of those "shot in the arm, let's get to it!" kind of books. Cathie Black gives helpful advice and amusing anecdotes that relate to getting ahead and getting what you want it the business world. Unfortunately for me, I work at a not-for-profit, so a lot of her advice did not apply to me. I can't move up in the department because I am the department. Still, her thoughts on dealing with difficult personalities and weird job situations are good to know and it made me think for at least a few hours that I had the power to change my world.
August 15, 2008
I work in a huge corporation with a ton of Type-A personalities, and I read this book during a job transition (thank goodness I was moving on up!) as sort of a refresher/confirmation on why I'm working at said huge corp. I got so many great tips from Cathie on how to get ahead (or at least stay afloat). I actually wrote lots of her advice on the first few pages of my day-planner so that I can check them out every few months for motivation. I highly recommend this if you are looking for practical business tips from very, very successful people.
September 20, 2011
This is a fantastic book for anybody who is in college or breaking into the publishing industry. It is focused towards young women but can be beneficial for anyone who wants tips on leadership and management skills. The book started with great resume, cover letter and interview suggestions and continued with entertaining stories about Cathie Black's experiences at USA Today, Heart Magazines and other positions. This book really motivated me and has gotten me really excited about my next step, out of college and into the industry.
August 9, 2011
The key word here is "basic." Helpful tips for college (and perhaps high school) grads, and a few insights for a more experienced audience. Great for someone interested in the world of publishing, as almost all the anecdotes and lessons can be applied in that arena; less applicable lessons to finance, medicine, or any other field. I enjoyed most the autobiography of Cathie Black, the fascinating trajectory of her career, the verve that commanded her success, and the window into the world of publishing. Lacks earth-shattering insights, but replete with motivational anecdotes.
June 15, 2013
Maybe it was me researching her name midway through reading the book (and finding out about her stint on the New York Education Board), or it was my excitement to start the next book, but her message, no matter how frank and straightforward it was written, it just didn't register with me. It was all "Easier Said than Done" messages. I don't know if the anecdotes acted favorably towards the message of her book. At times it sounded like a roll-call of the author's accomplishments than an example of how an advice can be applied in real life. I don't know, maybe the book deserves a reread.
August 7, 2013
Got a chapter in and realized I didn't want to go further. Her advice is almost annoyingly common sense. And her stories all seem to take place after she is successful (but never seem to intimate how she made it from entry level to c-suite). They also seem to brag (e.g. private jets, powerful CEO close-friends, calling the Chairman of Estee Lauder's board at his Parisian Hotel, etc.). I think this book would be interesting to someone in the media industry as they likely resonate. But it just wasn't an industry that interests me. So I cut my losses and quit reading.
May 21, 2008
I probably wouldn't have bought this book if I saw it at the book store but being that Cathie came to my college and gave each student one(very generous of her might I add) I gave it a shot. At first it was a little too much "girl power" and "you can do it" sort of thing but towards the end I admit it was full of useful information. I have totally adopted the "Fairy Dust" mentality when I am upset!
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