Intelligence Isn't Enough: A Black Professional's Guide to Thriving in the Workplace

by Carice Anderson

'This book should be part of every corporate onboarding programme! It will empower every new entrant to the world of work with the power skills to help them succeed.' — Celiwe Ross, Human Capital Director, Old MutualHaving worked for over 17 years with top companies in South Africa and abroad, Carice Anderson, a professional development manager, coach and consultant, shares her insider knowledge while also shedding a light on the harsh realities of corporate environments. Drawing on her years of experience and research, the author argues that many young Black professionals struggle early on in their careers as they lack the necessary soft skills to successfully navigate their work environments and reach their full potential.Including advice and anecdotes from 30 successful Black leaders who have worked across Africa, Europe, and North America, Intelligence Isn't Enough aims to empower young Black graduates who have just entered the workforce and Black professionals already at work. Anderson guides readers on how to survive and thrive in corporate spaces, how to take a more strategic approach to their careers, and how to understand themselves and others more deeply. In addition, the book provides useful tips on how young professionals can strengthen their workplace relationships, sharpen their communication skills, improve their personal brands and, ultimately, make an impact.Intelligence Isn't Enough is the Black professional's guide to standing out and showing up at your best and as your most authentic self at work.

Genres: Business, Self Help

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 25, 2021

Reviews

[Thabs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent advice for succeeding in the workplace as a Black corporate especially one who is embarking on their career journey soon after finishing school. As an academic, I found much of the advice applicable and very empowering.

[Karen Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. It will now be my gift to any graduating college senior who is entering the corporate world. While it has a great lens for people from underrepresented groups, specifically young black professionals, I believe that everyone can learn from this book. Brava to Carice Anderson for writing this.

[Ancillar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge thanks to Jonathan Ball Publisher and NetGalley for my e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly Carice is witty and intelligent and I wish I had read this book at University. This book should be required reading. The book is divided into 6 chapters which means you can finish in no time *fingers crossed*. In the first chapter, she tackles a whole new world which is the corporate world. She then goes into tackling how to get your mind right, why people matter, cultural intelligence, building your personal brand, the importance of communication, and how you can be of impact.

The book was packing valuable lessons that I kept on highlighting. Just a few takeaways from the book :

*It doesn’t hurt to work with others! We all need help
* Learn how to communicate and how to communicate well
* Intelligence isn’t enough
*Mistakes happen because we are human

We all need to read this book! I highly recommend it

[Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Rather let someone else tell you ‘no’ before you tell yourself ‘no’’

I have a habit of self-sabotage and not believing in my inherit worth, despite my achievements. I often tell myself NO before anyone else does. Anderson in her book dragged me for this and for many other things.

Intelligence Isn’t Enough is a guide for young Black professional to thrive in the world of work. It offers some meaningful insights about taking ownership of your career.

Anderson reminds us that there is a difference between working in your career and working on your career. She writes about her experience working in corporate and working with corporates. These experiences offers some necessary insights about making strives in your place of work.

I believe an important part of the book is Anderson reminding us that People matter and that working in corporate means working with people and cultivating relationship with these people and how that is a important thing for moving up the ladder.

However, I wish the book touched more of systems outsides of our control. I wanted more of racism, sexism and homophobia and transphobia and how these systems often create a huge hurdle in our success.

[Lwazi Bangani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very good that I surprisingly flew through it without noticing. I love how Carice redefines and repositions the term “Black Tax” from the family environment to a rather more relevant environment, which is corporate.

I was however, almost put off by the fact that the chapters were a bit lengthy and the introduction to some of the chapters had an academic feel to them.

Otherwise, I feel like this book should be a blueprint for every black professional in corporate today. This book saves you a lot of time trying to figure out the corporate environment and it guides you straight to where you need to be focused on. If you are to fulfill the goals you wish to achieve in corporate today.

This book is a gem and if it wasn’t for the lengthy chapters and the confusion that the use of “yours” gave me, it definitely would have been a 5-star read.

A gem!

[Clo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an essential guide for young professionals aiming to excel in the workplace. Anderson expertly highlights the importance of soft skills and emotional intelligence, offering practical advice that goes beyond academic knowledge.The book is filled with relatable examples and personal stories that illustrate how mastering these skills can significantly enhance career success. Anderson's engaging style and actionable insights empower readers to navigate complex work environments and build meaningful. It's a must-read for anyone eager to advance their career and thrive in today's dynamic workplace.

[Suz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally picked this book up in an effort to be a better ally, friend and leader but I ended up getting great advice for myself as well!

Carice balanced relevant research with personal experience and even managed to incorporate doses of humor into this important topic. Highly recommend no matter your color, gender or professional tenure.

[O · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was recommended by a work colleague to read and I’m glad I did. Nothing earth shattering, but I thought it was well written, concise, and helpful. The chapter on communication was great, especially on ways to get and receive feedback and how to have difficult conversations. I will apply what I’ve read here as I navigate my next career steps.

[Amelia Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking, accurate and practical about the day to day experiences of black professionals in the workplace. I think this should be compulsory reading for all graduates entering the work place. Know the struggle and fight the battle appropriately!

[Shalisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

🤎 loved this book! It really helped me stratagise my next career move!

[KA Timbuktu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Workplace guide for young professionals

[Ann Khalid · Rating 5 out of 5]

everyone should read this upon graduating

[Tisscake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Will revisit occasionally

[Aliaa Ashraf · Rating 4 out of 5]

"بالأمس كنت ذكيًا لذا أردت تغيير العالم، وصرت اليوم حكيمًا لذا سأغير نفسي!"

يأتي هذا الكتاب كنتيجة تجارب وخبرة سنوات عديدة للكاتبة، سنوات قضتها بين شركات ومؤسسات مختلفة لتخرج لنا منها بنصائح قيمة جدًا للشباب المقبلين على أسواق العمل. تخبرنا الكاتبة في البداية أن تميزك في دراستك لا يعني بالضرورة أبدًا تميزك في سوق العمل وترشدنا للاختلاف الكبير بين الجانب النظري والعملي في أي مجال وخصوصًا مجال الشركات الذي تسلط عليه الكاتبة الضوء بصورة أكبر من غيره.

ناقشت الكاتبة عدة جوانب من شأنها أن تغير حياتك العملية تمامًا، في البداية اهتمت بتوضيح الاختلافات بين بيئات الدراسة والعمل، واتجهت لتحطيم بعض الخرافات الخاصة بالعمل وتقديم النصائح عن كيفية جعل تجربتك في أي مكان مميزة بدءًا من كيف تكون علاقات طيبة ومفيدة في بيئة عملك وكيف تقدم نفسك بصورة صحيحة للناس وكيف تبني مظهرك وصورتك الخارجية. تتجه الكاتبة أيضًا للحديث عن النجاح وكيف أنه لا يوجد تعريف موحد له، فالنجاح بالنسبة لك قد يختلف تمامًا عن النجاح بالنسبة لشخص آخر! لذا فتحديد هدفك وطموحك الخاص وعدم الانجراف وراء ضغط الآخرين هو أول خطواتك على سلم نجاحك. تتمحور معظم النصائح والمواضيع عنك أنتَ وكيف تطور من نفسك وعقليتك وشخصيتك وكيف تتغلب على المصاعب المتنوعة التي حتمًا ستقابلها في سوق العمل وكيف تنمي مهاراتك في التواصل وبناء العلاقات.

للكاتبة أسلوب بسيط وسلس جدًا فبرغم حجم الكتاب وكثافة المعلومات به إلا أنني لم أشعر بالملل أبدًا واستفدت جدًا من الكتاب، فأهم ما ميّزه برأيي هو واقعيته النابعة من تجربة حياة الكاتبة الشخصية، والتي لا تتوانى عن ذكر مواقف من حياتها مرت بها وأثرت عليها، استطاعت الكاتبة مزج محتوى الكتاب بتجارب حياتها وحياة بعض الناجحين والمؤثرين الآخرين بطريقة أضفت على الكتاب جو من الألفة والصِدق. فالكاتبة لا تردد بعض النصائح بصورة آلية مملة بعيدة عن الواقع، بل هي تأخذك في رحلة لتصحيح مفاهيمك وأفكارك وتعطيك حلولًا واقتراحات منطقية وواقعية.

أخيرًا أود الإشادة بالترجمة التي جعلت التجربة أكثر متعة وفائدة بالنسبة لي. الكتاب كان تجربة موفقة جدًا ومفيدة وأنصح به لكل المقبلين على سوق العمل خاصة في مجال الشركات والذي توليه الكاتبة الاهتمام الأكبر..

[Kudzai Mhangwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is powerful and has a really lot of wisdom tokens for the young professions who REALLY want to make an impact when they enter workplace. Carice is candid and witty in her delivery while alos providing practical ways to dealing with our problems as youth entering into the workplace. I recommend this for anyone who wants to take it into next gear in their career and also for teenagers as well so they get these powerful lessons before entering into the "real world".

[Lori Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book won’t age well, regret sinking time into rereads in an attempt to draw value from an overpriced and overthought out piece of literature.