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Seen, Heard, and Paid: The New Work Rules for the Marginalized
The real tools for career success and work satisfaction for anyone feeling undermined or marginalized at their job, from a productivity expert and editor at Wired.
For over twenty years, Alan Henry has written about using technology and productivity techniques to work and live better for publications such as Lifehacker, The New York Times, and Wired. But he found that as a Black man he didn't have access to some of the more powerful ways to hack your job--like only checking email once a day or blocking out time on your calendar to do deep work. In fact, he found that even when he landed a prestigious title at the Times, there were moments when he was still overlooked and excluded from the most interesting and career-boosting work.
This led him to first explore these struggles in a Times piece titled "Productivity Without Privilege." Now he goes even deeper, interviewing experts across multiple fields to come up with powerful tools to overcome the forces of marginalization. In Seen, Heard, and Paid, Henry shares the new work rules that may finally allow people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ folks to have the same access to career advancement and rewarding work as those with more privilege, including:
How to Be Seen: Only spend time on work that gets you attention.
How to Be Heard: Figure out your unique contribution.
How to Get Paid: Data is power and power is money.
Whether you're dealing with microaggressions, trying to get the glamour work instead of the office housework, weighing the pluses and minuses of working remotely, or deciding it's time to look for a new opportunity, Seen, Heard, and Paid will help you feel informed, supported, and empowered.
For over twenty years, Alan Henry has written about using technology and productivity techniques to work and live better for publications such as Lifehacker, The New York Times, and Wired. But he found that as a Black man he didn't have access to some of the more powerful ways to hack your job--like only checking email once a day or blocking out time on your calendar to do deep work. In fact, he found that even when he landed a prestigious title at the Times, there were moments when he was still overlooked and excluded from the most interesting and career-boosting work.
This led him to first explore these struggles in a Times piece titled "Productivity Without Privilege." Now he goes even deeper, interviewing experts across multiple fields to come up with powerful tools to overcome the forces of marginalization. In Seen, Heard, and Paid, Henry shares the new work rules that may finally allow people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ folks to have the same access to career advancement and rewarding work as those with more privilege, including:
How to Be Seen: Only spend time on work that gets you attention.
How to Be Heard: Figure out your unique contribution.
How to Get Paid: Data is power and power is money.
Whether you're dealing with microaggressions, trying to get the glamour work instead of the office housework, weighing the pluses and minuses of working remotely, or deciding it's time to look for a new opportunity, Seen, Heard, and Paid will help you feel informed, supported, and empowered.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published June 7, 2022
30 people are currently reading
1884 people want to read
About the author
Alan Henry
1 book26 followersAlan Henry is the author of Seen, Heard, and Paid: The New Work Rules for the Marginalized.
He is a journalist and editor who covers technology and productivity, and their intersection with our lives and culture. He’s written and edited stories that help readers figure out the best apps to organize their lives, as well as the best ways to organize a kitchen or take charge of their own health or career.
He is currently the senior editor for service journalism at WIRED, where he writes and commissions stories that help readers make better use of their technology and embrace a healthier relationship with it in their lives. He also oversees WIRED Games, the team at WIRED covering video games, gaming culture, and gaming as a cultural force. He was previously the smarter living editor at The New York Times and before that the editor in chief of the productivity and lifestyle blog Lifehacker. He has bachelor’s degrees in physics and astronomy and a master’s in business administration, and is based in New York City.
He is a journalist and editor who covers technology and productivity, and their intersection with our lives and culture. He’s written and edited stories that help readers figure out the best apps to organize their lives, as well as the best ways to organize a kitchen or take charge of their own health or career.
He is currently the senior editor for service journalism at WIRED, where he writes and commissions stories that help readers make better use of their technology and embrace a healthier relationship with it in their lives. He also oversees WIRED Games, the team at WIRED covering video games, gaming culture, and gaming as a cultural force. He was previously the smarter living editor at The New York Times and before that the editor in chief of the productivity and lifestyle blog Lifehacker. He has bachelor’s degrees in physics and astronomy and a master’s in business administration, and is based in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 5, 2022
In this book Alan Henry uses research, expert interviews, and his own personal experience working at The New York Times and Lifehacker to provide advice on how to work as a marginalized person. He covers: how to handle microaggressions and gaslighting, how to get the glamour work instead of the housework, the best ways to be productive on the job and so much more. Many of the suggestions he gives may be familiar to people but there were many that were new to me. One innovative tip was about keeping a work diary where you can chronicle your successes and challenges, it can also be helpful when you need to show how much you bring to your employer. I dare you to read this book and not walk away with at least one action item you can do on your job.
Thanks to NetGalley, Rodale Books, and Alan Henry for a free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley, Rodale Books, and Alan Henry for a free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2022
Un certain "must" à plusieurs égards pour des stratégies de "survie" en milieu de travail hostile et neutre pour les personnes marginalisées, il y a plusieurs stratégie et conseils extrêmement pertinent (tout noter, planifier son horaire, donner l'impression d'être occuper, sur si c'est une bonne idée de négocier son salaire [spoiler: pas toujours! ça peut être pire!], etc.), mais qui s'appliquent surtout dans un contexte de travail hiérarchique et dans un travail avec une certaine flexibilité de tâches (bref, pas dans un petit restaurant ou dans une coopérative).
Les chapitres sont clairs, vont droit au but, sont tirés en très grande partie de l'expérience de l'auteur dans différents métiers, mais aussi d'entrevues avec d'autres qui ont réfléchit aux questions de minorisation en milieu de travail. Ce n'est toutefois pas un ouvrage qui critique le capitalisme ou s'attaque aux causes du racisme ou du sexisme (ce n'est pas son objectif bien qu'il est abondamment clair que ce sont les sources des problèmes), mais qui permettent plutôt de s'en tirer dans un système en apparaissant comme une personne qui "lean in", mais en ne l'étant pas nécessairement. L'ouvrage propose surtout un projet de permettre de se concentrer sur le travail et les projets qui intéressent son lectorat et comment éviter les charges mentales qui retombent toujours sur les personnes marginalisées et empêchent de faire le type de travail plus stimulant, gratifiant et plus reconnu.
Les chapitres sont clairs, vont droit au but, sont tirés en très grande partie de l'expérience de l'auteur dans différents métiers, mais aussi d'entrevues avec d'autres qui ont réfléchit aux questions de minorisation en milieu de travail. Ce n'est toutefois pas un ouvrage qui critique le capitalisme ou s'attaque aux causes du racisme ou du sexisme (ce n'est pas son objectif bien qu'il est abondamment clair que ce sont les sources des problèmes), mais qui permettent plutôt de s'en tirer dans un système en apparaissant comme une personne qui "lean in", mais en ne l'étant pas nécessairement. L'ouvrage propose surtout un projet de permettre de se concentrer sur le travail et les projets qui intéressent son lectorat et comment éviter les charges mentales qui retombent toujours sur les personnes marginalisées et empêchent de faire le type de travail plus stimulant, gratifiant et plus reconnu.
April 28, 2022
"Diversity is great, but it doesn’t fix marginalization…When you’re marginalized, you don’t get to have a method to bring your best work with you every day, and your employer misses out on everything you have to offer.
There are many productivity books out there, but I’m not aware of any others that speak directly to marginalized workers and help us be seen, heard, and paid more at work. This book will help us spend less time doing the things we have to do and spend more time on the things we want to do.
It’s about the importance of psychological safety and how to find systems to manage up, prioritize work, and be productive in ways that work for us and our goals. It’s also about marginalization and microaggressions and knowing when it’s time to leave and how to get a productive start at a new job.
Especially for others in mid-level positions who are looking to level up, this is a valuable resource.
Many thanks to Alan Henry, Rodale Books (an imprint of Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House), and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy before its release on June 7, 2022.
There are many productivity books out there, but I’m not aware of any others that speak directly to marginalized workers and help us be seen, heard, and paid more at work. This book will help us spend less time doing the things we have to do and spend more time on the things we want to do.
It’s about the importance of psychological safety and how to find systems to manage up, prioritize work, and be productive in ways that work for us and our goals. It’s also about marginalization and microaggressions and knowing when it’s time to leave and how to get a productive start at a new job.
Especially for others in mid-level positions who are looking to level up, this is a valuable resource.
Many thanks to Alan Henry, Rodale Books (an imprint of Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House), and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy before its release on June 7, 2022.
January 29, 2023
Definitely a good resource for anyone seeking practical productivity advice while experiencing marginalization in the workplace, but my rating reflects that fact that I read this at the wrong time in my career...
I realized pretty quickly that this was not the book for me, but I decided to not DNF because I figured I'd rather have this advice in the back of my head when I needed it than to pick this book up again after I was burnt out from overworking while being marginalized. I don't need productivity hacks at this stage of my career and I am fortunate enough to be at a workplace where I don't feel marginalized as a woman of colour in software development. I don't doubt that this could change later in my career, which is why I decided to push through and finish this, but it unfortunately lowers my rating because both the enjoyment level and the relevance level were pretty low.
If you are a marginalized worker who feels overworked and needs some advice on how to navigate office politics so that you can claw back your sanity without compromising your reputation, then I would wholeheartedly recommend this to you.
I realized pretty quickly that this was not the book for me, but I decided to not DNF because I figured I'd rather have this advice in the back of my head when I needed it than to pick this book up again after I was burnt out from overworking while being marginalized. I don't need productivity hacks at this stage of my career and I am fortunate enough to be at a workplace where I don't feel marginalized as a woman of colour in software development. I don't doubt that this could change later in my career, which is why I decided to push through and finish this, but it unfortunately lowers my rating because both the enjoyment level and the relevance level were pretty low.
If you are a marginalized worker who feels overworked and needs some advice on how to navigate office politics so that you can claw back your sanity without compromising your reputation, then I would wholeheartedly recommend this to you.
July 31, 2024
Highly recommend. So validating about marginalization beyond microaggressions, the kind where you're not even invited to the party to hear the microaggression. The kind that's so easy for peers and managers to gaslight you about. And although this book focuses on the author's experiences (as a Black man), it extends its points beyond gender or race to include many kinds of marginalization.
July 8, 2022
Borrowed this on a whim. Didn't know much about the author, had not heard about the book, but was curious about what could be useful here. There are lots of self-help/advice books on work, many for marginalized people, etc. Author Henry relates his experiences, studies, experts, etc. to compile maybe not work "rules" but bits of advice that can help someone who is part of a marginalized group navigate a workplace and system that is not there for them.
Some of these ideas are probably not new (setting boundaries, how to avoid doing office "housework," how to provide value to the workplace, how to navigate office politics, how to advocate for higher salaries, etc.). However, often marginalized people will have to work in situations where someone is biased towards them, no matter how well-meaning or unconscious it may be. So Henry talks about ways and things one can do to help mitigate that.
Like others, I had not really thought about doing something like keeping a work diary, but it seems like a good idea if only to track your own progress, successes and failures (as well as documenting everything...). Sometimes that may end up being the most useful item for now and the future.
Would also agree that it would not be necessarily useful, especially if you're mid-level/career or more senior. These may be things you've already encountered or are aware of. I found myself thinking less about how to apply some of these items now but rather how useful they might have been in the past (or not). I definitely found myself nodding when realizing I had tried using certain strategies as well as understanding a little better when maybe I should have done something else instead.
So I certainly wouldn't say that the book was revolutionary for me in any way, I did think it was useful to chew on and would recommend it. Not just for marginalized people or maybe younger workers who have less experience, but also bosses and white colleagues who really do want to do the work in being more inclusive in their workplace (and personal lives). Just remember that you may not be the audience, but rather read this with the attempt to understand what your colleagues/friends/family/etc. or even clients/vendors/etc. are going through.
Library borrow was best for me.
Some of these ideas are probably not new (setting boundaries, how to avoid doing office "housework," how to provide value to the workplace, how to navigate office politics, how to advocate for higher salaries, etc.). However, often marginalized people will have to work in situations where someone is biased towards them, no matter how well-meaning or unconscious it may be. So Henry talks about ways and things one can do to help mitigate that.
Like others, I had not really thought about doing something like keeping a work diary, but it seems like a good idea if only to track your own progress, successes and failures (as well as documenting everything...). Sometimes that may end up being the most useful item for now and the future.
Would also agree that it would not be necessarily useful, especially if you're mid-level/career or more senior. These may be things you've already encountered or are aware of. I found myself thinking less about how to apply some of these items now but rather how useful they might have been in the past (or not). I definitely found myself nodding when realizing I had tried using certain strategies as well as understanding a little better when maybe I should have done something else instead.
So I certainly wouldn't say that the book was revolutionary for me in any way, I did think it was useful to chew on and would recommend it. Not just for marginalized people or maybe younger workers who have less experience, but also bosses and white colleagues who really do want to do the work in being more inclusive in their workplace (and personal lives). Just remember that you may not be the audience, but rather read this with the attempt to understand what your colleagues/friends/family/etc. or even clients/vendors/etc. are going through.
Library borrow was best for me.
May 16, 2022
Looking for a seat at the ever-changing table? This book is for you, and it's one to give to every person who's ever felt unheard, slighted, or passed over. After you order this book, sign up for Alan's newsletter--"Productivity, Without Privilege" (https://buttondown.email/alanhenry), and you'll have more than a newsletter of tips and stories that expand on many of the ideas in the book. You'll also gain access to Henry's community, one of which supports a focus on like-minded inclusivity and empowering courage. As he wrote in his most recent newsletter: "Sometimes the only way to push back...when you don’t have a seat at the table (and one that’s empowered to speak and take action) is to commiserate among people who know what you’re going through because they’ve been there, are there, or know what it means to be there."
The author has a way of channeling anger into productive discourse to level the playing field. So often, we get trapped in our own stories and fail to see our place in the bigger picture. This is the book to remind you that not only does your voice matter, but consider what you can do to use yours to lift up and stand by others. When writing about how we're all facing marginalization, he writes: "A lot of this comes down to a single word: intersectionality. As in, many (arguably most) of us have multiple identities—we contain multitudes after all—and those identities play off of the identities of the people around us in different ways." As an author who reviews writers, this book and its author are gems to be treasured and shared. Do yourself a favor and arm yourself with Henry's brilliant advice, and then lean into his advice on what we can do to help others so that we can work in a world that no longer supports the idea of "others."
The author has a way of channeling anger into productive discourse to level the playing field. So often, we get trapped in our own stories and fail to see our place in the bigger picture. This is the book to remind you that not only does your voice matter, but consider what you can do to use yours to lift up and stand by others. When writing about how we're all facing marginalization, he writes: "A lot of this comes down to a single word: intersectionality. As in, many (arguably most) of us have multiple identities—we contain multitudes after all—and those identities play off of the identities of the people around us in different ways." As an author who reviews writers, this book and its author are gems to be treasured and shared. Do yourself a favor and arm yourself with Henry's brilliant advice, and then lean into his advice on what we can do to help others so that we can work in a world that no longer supports the idea of "others."
April 19, 2024
Journalist Alan Henry has experienced his fair share of discrimination and marginalization in the workplace. He was surprised that even after landing his dream job at the Times, there were times he felt purposefully excluded or overlooked despite having availability to help on projects and the necessary expertise to succeed. This feeling eventually led him to Seen, Heard, and Paid, his manifesto for marginalized workers who need advice on how to stand out at their jobs for all their hard work, and how to stand up and receive the same recognition that more privileged colleagues may enjoy. Seen, Heard, and Paid contains the tools for people who want to make sure they garner the respect and appreciation at their workplace that they deserve.
Seen, Heard, and Paid is a book with a large target audience, and even those for whom this book is not intended may find value in listening to the experiences of marginalized folks and hearing about the hoops that marginalized workers jump through every day at their place of employment. I think despite a relatively broad audience and Alan Henry’s own few examples from non-office jobs, the whole of this book is intended generally for white-collar workers who likely spend a large amount of their time on a computer or at a desk. The concepts discussed in this book span productivity styles, communication with managers, time management, work-life boundaries, and other concerns that folks in desk jobs can generally pay more attention to - and ought to, given their typical responsibilities and breadth of work. Some parts of the book I was less impressed with, especially the initial conversations about work boundaries and working hours. While it’s true that a lot of people get sucked into working late, answering texts or emails or calls on their personal devices, I hardly think it’s worth encouraging that sort of practice. Alan Henry brings up making sure that it happens on your terms, and that it can look really good to be the person who is available at all hours. I would respectfully disagree and think that jobs are important, but our individual lives and non-working time are even more important. Work boundaries should mean setting working hours and being as strict as possible with them. Unless your employer pays you specifically for after-hours access and availability, don’t fall into that trap and be sure to set firm boundaries for your work time. Quite a bit of the book felt a little patronizing or over-simplified, and while the advice is solid I didn’t think it was ground-breaking or particularly new. For people just starting in a white-collar career, there’s a lot in here to pay attention to. For those who’ve been in a desk job successfully for years, I doubt there’s a lot you will learn from this book. Framing the topics around marginalized workers didn’t quite break my impression of this as a office-work-for-beginners guide, with everything from tracking your tasks, justifying your busyness to your higher-ups, and even making sure to explore pay discrepancies and finding new jobs in the correct way. I pushed through this easy read but didn’t get as much new information or impact from Seen, Heard, and Paid as I had hoped at the start.
Seen, Heard, and Paid is a book with a large target audience, and even those for whom this book is not intended may find value in listening to the experiences of marginalized folks and hearing about the hoops that marginalized workers jump through every day at their place of employment. I think despite a relatively broad audience and Alan Henry’s own few examples from non-office jobs, the whole of this book is intended generally for white-collar workers who likely spend a large amount of their time on a computer or at a desk. The concepts discussed in this book span productivity styles, communication with managers, time management, work-life boundaries, and other concerns that folks in desk jobs can generally pay more attention to - and ought to, given their typical responsibilities and breadth of work. Some parts of the book I was less impressed with, especially the initial conversations about work boundaries and working hours. While it’s true that a lot of people get sucked into working late, answering texts or emails or calls on their personal devices, I hardly think it’s worth encouraging that sort of practice. Alan Henry brings up making sure that it happens on your terms, and that it can look really good to be the person who is available at all hours. I would respectfully disagree and think that jobs are important, but our individual lives and non-working time are even more important. Work boundaries should mean setting working hours and being as strict as possible with them. Unless your employer pays you specifically for after-hours access and availability, don’t fall into that trap and be sure to set firm boundaries for your work time. Quite a bit of the book felt a little patronizing or over-simplified, and while the advice is solid I didn’t think it was ground-breaking or particularly new. For people just starting in a white-collar career, there’s a lot in here to pay attention to. For those who’ve been in a desk job successfully for years, I doubt there’s a lot you will learn from this book. Framing the topics around marginalized workers didn’t quite break my impression of this as a office-work-for-beginners guide, with everything from tracking your tasks, justifying your busyness to your higher-ups, and even making sure to explore pay discrepancies and finding new jobs in the correct way. I pushed through this easy read but didn’t get as much new information or impact from Seen, Heard, and Paid as I had hoped at the start.
June 5, 2022
Alan Henry gives a comprehensive guideline of tips for marginalized people in the workplace. People marginalized for such reasons as having a disability, being a man or woman of color, having an LGBTQ lifestyle, or even a scenario where a colleague is the only woman among an all male workforce.
If one is marginalized and feeling micro-aggressions and even more outright prejudices, how is one to work at their best productivity level when hampered and hindered by others. How will their work shine glamourously so, to be seen and heard?
Henry says everyone's voice has to matter and he delineates ways to overcome the patterns of biases such as, working twice as smart; figuring out the best way you yourself work; prioritizing the workload starting with the most significant to yourself but especially to the boss on any one particular day; protecting yourself by documenting your work and the instances where you have been sidelined among and/or by colleagues and managers, so if you decide the bring such matters to the boss you have more concrete 'evidence' and data to present and finding like-minded people as yourself to share with and encourage you.
An example of being marginalized and that is alluded to in the book title, surrounds the salary; that is, getting paid. Is the salary commensurate with other's of your job title and portfolio or are you getting less than the majority? Tips are given for ways to check this out and to level the field at least, to a greater extent.
If the situation is too toxic and the tips of survival aren't helping, it may be time to move on. Here, Henry has some cautions and precautions and advice to be good and aware of before proceeding carefully, quietly and with intention.
Being a man of color, Alan Henry knows what he is talking about and I could feel his angst coming through the pages to me. Where I am, I too can feel some of what he writes about and can relate well even if it is not at a workplace, per se. I believe his message has integrity and that other marginalized people who feel the pinches, squeezes and outright snubs of prejudice, would be greatly benefited by checking out what Henry has to divulge. It's ready and waiting here on the platter of his book plate.
~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~
April 2022
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.
If one is marginalized and feeling micro-aggressions and even more outright prejudices, how is one to work at their best productivity level when hampered and hindered by others. How will their work shine glamourously so, to be seen and heard?
Henry says everyone's voice has to matter and he delineates ways to overcome the patterns of biases such as, working twice as smart; figuring out the best way you yourself work; prioritizing the workload starting with the most significant to yourself but especially to the boss on any one particular day; protecting yourself by documenting your work and the instances where you have been sidelined among and/or by colleagues and managers, so if you decide the bring such matters to the boss you have more concrete 'evidence' and data to present and finding like-minded people as yourself to share with and encourage you.
An example of being marginalized and that is alluded to in the book title, surrounds the salary; that is, getting paid. Is the salary commensurate with other's of your job title and portfolio or are you getting less than the majority? Tips are given for ways to check this out and to level the field at least, to a greater extent.
If the situation is too toxic and the tips of survival aren't helping, it may be time to move on. Here, Henry has some cautions and precautions and advice to be good and aware of before proceeding carefully, quietly and with intention.
Being a man of color, Alan Henry knows what he is talking about and I could feel his angst coming through the pages to me. Where I am, I too can feel some of what he writes about and can relate well even if it is not at a workplace, per se. I believe his message has integrity and that other marginalized people who feel the pinches, squeezes and outright snubs of prejudice, would be greatly benefited by checking out what Henry has to divulge. It's ready and waiting here on the platter of his book plate.
~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~
April 2022
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.
August 16, 2022
A great jumping off point for marginalized workers looking to better their lives at work
A lot of the book is recycled information about current workplace topics, but the author has synthesized that info into coherent, easily digested rules/chapters. His style is journalistic (duh), so it reads well without asking too much from the reader.
The author's experiences with marginalization at work are primarily related to his race, but he talks about other marginalized identities as well, which I found very helpful, because I'm marginalized primarily due to gender identity and sexual orientation. Despite the differences here, the book still spoke to my experiences at work and should speak to most workers who feel undervalued, ignored, or sidelined, regardless of the precise reason why that's happened.
I appreciated his take on systemic issues and agree that it mostly seems like marginalized people are expected to identify them, call them out, and fix them, regardless of what that could do to our mental health and career prospects. My job is getting ready to do some culture work, so I am living to see what's expected from us on the margins. -_-
A lot of the advice seemed to be aimed at younger, early career workers. For people who were able to get into middle management before their social history caught up with them...there's definitely less here. A lot of the book isn't applicable to government, education, or non-profits, but that's typical of most business books. This one is very much geared toward sales, tech, journalism, big business. Which is fine, but reduces the audience a bit.
Overall, it's a good book for marginalized workers (mainly office workers) that brings together a lot of research and interrelated topics and should have something of value for most readers.
A lot of the book is recycled information about current workplace topics, but the author has synthesized that info into coherent, easily digested rules/chapters. His style is journalistic (duh), so it reads well without asking too much from the reader.
The author's experiences with marginalization at work are primarily related to his race, but he talks about other marginalized identities as well, which I found very helpful, because I'm marginalized primarily due to gender identity and sexual orientation. Despite the differences here, the book still spoke to my experiences at work and should speak to most workers who feel undervalued, ignored, or sidelined, regardless of the precise reason why that's happened.
I appreciated his take on systemic issues and agree that it mostly seems like marginalized people are expected to identify them, call them out, and fix them, regardless of what that could do to our mental health and career prospects. My job is getting ready to do some culture work, so I am living to see what's expected from us on the margins. -_-
A lot of the advice seemed to be aimed at younger, early career workers. For people who were able to get into middle management before their social history caught up with them...there's definitely less here. A lot of the book isn't applicable to government, education, or non-profits, but that's typical of most business books. This one is very much geared toward sales, tech, journalism, big business. Which is fine, but reduces the audience a bit.
Overall, it's a good book for marginalized workers (mainly office workers) that brings together a lot of research and interrelated topics and should have something of value for most readers.
January 5, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
One of my goals this year is when I read nonfiction, make it purposeful and find takeaways that I can use in my life or make me think. This book shows how much extra emotional and physical labor marginalized workers have to do in the workplace. It is super readable and has a great takeaways for anyone in the workforce (even non corporate). Here are a few of the (shortened) notes I took while reading:
1. Microaggressions are a public health issue (p 29): harmful racist experiences in the workplace lead to health conditions such as chronic stress/other chronic illness, hypertension and suicidal ideation. People of Color disproportionately experience these health conditions.
2. “That kind of housework—the note taking, mass emailing, snack getting, calendar managing, and so forth—is all work that keeps the team running smoothly, so someone needs to do it. And it’s still seen as women’s work” (p 65). - why do we gender work tasks?!?
3. Counter stereotypes of what a “leader” looks like (p 91) - if you saw a photo of everyone in a company, who would you assume was in charge? (White, able bodied, etc) How can you change that assumption?
4. “Being busy means little more than just having a lot to do, and being productive actually implies you’re getting those things done in a meaningful way” (p 126)
5. The Weekly Review - get clear, get current, get creative! (p 171-177)
6. Psychological Safety was reoccurring throughout the book as an extra step marginalized workers often have to take into consideration (extra labor for them)
One of my goals this year is when I read nonfiction, make it purposeful and find takeaways that I can use in my life or make me think. This book shows how much extra emotional and physical labor marginalized workers have to do in the workplace. It is super readable and has a great takeaways for anyone in the workforce (even non corporate). Here are a few of the (shortened) notes I took while reading:
1. Microaggressions are a public health issue (p 29): harmful racist experiences in the workplace lead to health conditions such as chronic stress/other chronic illness, hypertension and suicidal ideation. People of Color disproportionately experience these health conditions.
2. “That kind of housework—the note taking, mass emailing, snack getting, calendar managing, and so forth—is all work that keeps the team running smoothly, so someone needs to do it. And it’s still seen as women’s work” (p 65). - why do we gender work tasks?!?
3. Counter stereotypes of what a “leader” looks like (p 91) - if you saw a photo of everyone in a company, who would you assume was in charge? (White, able bodied, etc) How can you change that assumption?
4. “Being busy means little more than just having a lot to do, and being productive actually implies you’re getting those things done in a meaningful way” (p 126)
5. The Weekly Review - get clear, get current, get creative! (p 171-177)
6. Psychological Safety was reoccurring throughout the book as an extra step marginalized workers often have to take into consideration (extra labor for them)
unfinished-but-important
May 23, 2025As someone who is disabled & unemployed, I am not the target audience of this book. As someone who tries to better understand microaggressions that marginalised people experience, I was intrigued by this book. If this was written by a white person, I would not have picked it up. But I realised that while I try to be sympathetic to what PoC go through at work, I still lack a lot of knowledge on the subject.
Henry starts the book with a discussion on how, when he worked at NYT, his white colleague said he was Henry's supervisor and all the white people around him *and his own manager did nothing (given the variety of terrible things the NYT has done I do not find this surprising). I appreciate how Henry doesn't just discuss his own experiences (although this would be a valid choice) but acknowledges how many different ways there are to be marginalised in a workplace.
In reading Henry's discussion on microaggressions, I feel the overwhelming urge to yell "Yes! This!" (but refrain given that I live in an apartment building and it is 3am). It is so validating to have someone put words to feelings that are hard to articulate. I appreciate how, while this book is about how to navigate being marginalised in a workplace, he acknowledges that sometimes there is nothing more you can do. As a disabled person it is terribly frustrating being reduced to an inspiration (if I do anything noteworthy) or a disappointment/failure (if I am negatively impacted by my disabilities. Sometimes there really is nothing more to do and I appreciate that he doesn't utter useless platitudes.
Henry starts the book with a discussion on how, when he worked at NYT, his white colleague said he was Henry's supervisor and all the white people around him *and his own manager did nothing (given the variety of terrible things the NYT has done I do not find this surprising). I appreciate how Henry doesn't just discuss his own experiences (although this would be a valid choice) but acknowledges how many different ways there are to be marginalised in a workplace.
In reading Henry's discussion on microaggressions, I feel the overwhelming urge to yell "Yes! This!" (but refrain given that I live in an apartment building and it is 3am). It is so validating to have someone put words to feelings that are hard to articulate. I appreciate how, while this book is about how to navigate being marginalised in a workplace, he acknowledges that sometimes there is nothing more you can do. As a disabled person it is terribly frustrating being reduced to an inspiration (if I do anything noteworthy) or a disappointment/failure (if I am negatively impacted by my disabilities. Sometimes there really is nothing more to do and I appreciate that he doesn't utter useless platitudes.
June 3, 2022
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Seen, Heard, and Paid offers advice for marginalized workers to navigate their workplaces. From managing microaggressions to perfecting individual productivity habits, this guide offers a solid survey of everything a marginalized worker may need to know in order to better succeed.
This book was a wealth of information, and the best part about it was that it was all practical. Henry didn’t offer miracle fixes — and honestly, he didn’t even offer one single solution to every given situation. Being presented with options, all centered on personal comfort and an assessment of the situation, was honestly a relief.
Personally, as a woman in the workplace, this book also made me realize how much I am valued at my current job, as well as gave me tools not only to further myself, but also to create more safe spaces in my workplace for my coworkers who may also experience some level of marginalization.
Even if you’re not marginalized in your place of work, I think this book has a lot of valuable information and perspective that can assist you with improving your workplace for yourself and your coworkers or subordinates, and is definitely worth picking up.
Seen, Heard, and Paid offers advice for marginalized workers to navigate their workplaces. From managing microaggressions to perfecting individual productivity habits, this guide offers a solid survey of everything a marginalized worker may need to know in order to better succeed.
This book was a wealth of information, and the best part about it was that it was all practical. Henry didn’t offer miracle fixes — and honestly, he didn’t even offer one single solution to every given situation. Being presented with options, all centered on personal comfort and an assessment of the situation, was honestly a relief.
Personally, as a woman in the workplace, this book also made me realize how much I am valued at my current job, as well as gave me tools not only to further myself, but also to create more safe spaces in my workplace for my coworkers who may also experience some level of marginalization.
Even if you’re not marginalized in your place of work, I think this book has a lot of valuable information and perspective that can assist you with improving your workplace for yourself and your coworkers or subordinates, and is definitely worth picking up.
May 22, 2022
Thank you, NetGalley, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really, really loved this book. Part Henry's lived experiences working in tech and journalism, part a lit review of those writing about marginalization, productivity and the intersection thereof in the workplace. Until Henry got to a later chapter that addressed COVID-19, I wondered whether this was going to touch on the changing office politics due to the pivot toward remote work, and I realized some of the issues were the same in a new form. As a white woman, I definitely saw myself in both the marginalized and privileged examples throughout the book, which seemed in line with how the author portrayed the shifting workplaces. I also appreciated how he used lessons learned in his various roles so this would be useful to all white collar workers and there are applicable elements for those in a more blue collar role too.
There have been a ton of white privilege, anti-racism books written in the past two years, but I appreciated the workplace lens in this one as this is an issue less addressed in some of the others.
I really, really loved this book. Part Henry's lived experiences working in tech and journalism, part a lit review of those writing about marginalization, productivity and the intersection thereof in the workplace. Until Henry got to a later chapter that addressed COVID-19, I wondered whether this was going to touch on the changing office politics due to the pivot toward remote work, and I realized some of the issues were the same in a new form. As a white woman, I definitely saw myself in both the marginalized and privileged examples throughout the book, which seemed in line with how the author portrayed the shifting workplaces. I also appreciated how he used lessons learned in his various roles so this would be useful to all white collar workers and there are applicable elements for those in a more blue collar role too.
There have been a ton of white privilege, anti-racism books written in the past two years, but I appreciated the workplace lens in this one as this is an issue less addressed in some of the others.
April 9, 2022
Are you one of the marginalized? Have you had problems in the workplace because of it? Are you visibly ethnic, female, use a cane/crutches/wheelchair/hearing aids/white cane/digital tools for special needs? Do you put up with slurs, intentional or unintentional insults, pranks, your special talents being ignored or dismissed in performance reviews, being gaslighted by coworkers? Are you subjected to homophobic or other gender issue disrespect? These things have not gone away just because the concept of "workplace" is changing, nor is it applicable only to "Office Politics". I've seen it in healthcare as well and have no doubt that it is still an issue in scientific workplaces.
The author has "been there, done that" and has worked with others to compile an action guide for you to change your negative responses to self-affirming actions. This book can help you to empower yourself (if you let it).
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Rodale Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
The author has "been there, done that" and has worked with others to compile an action guide for you to change your negative responses to self-affirming actions. This book can help you to empower yourself (if you let it).
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Rodale Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
July 7, 2022
I just finished "Seen, Heard, and Paid" and strongly recommend it. It was a blend of common sense tips, with deeper insights for the workplace. I really appreciated the landscape provided by the author from his personal experiences from tech and journalism related fields, and particularly his perspectives within a marginalized community which permeate the topics. Though not from a marginalized group myself, many of the tips and insights are still relevant, but I really appreciate hearing about the microaggressions, gaslighting, other challenges faced by the author or his sources who contribute to the discussion. It helped me to reflect on things which on the surface may seem benign or "no big deal" but, intentions aside, clearly have real impact (in addition to the more obvious, insidious situations). I will certainly take something to heart from this book, both reflecting on my own career, and better recognizing and acknowledging challenges faced by others, and hope to use this information in a meaningful and impactful way.
June 16, 2022
I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was very informative! There are a lot of great tips for all marginalized workers, regardless of why you're marginalized. Sure, it's geared towards office type work but with tweaking, a lot of these tips can been used in other industries, too.
I didn't rate this higher because it was hard to stay focused while reading it. It's long and can be repetitive at times. I'd see how long the chapter would take me to read (I read on my Kindle) and sometimes I'd have to mentally prepare myself. Yes, it's nonfiction and doesn't read the same as fiction. But it was dry and that made it harder for me to get through.
Would I recommend this? Absolutely. To everyone. If you're a marginalized worker, there's a lot of wonderful advice. If you're not, maybe you can learn something about your own behavior and how to be a better teammate. Either way, this is worth reading.
This book was very informative! There are a lot of great tips for all marginalized workers, regardless of why you're marginalized. Sure, it's geared towards office type work but with tweaking, a lot of these tips can been used in other industries, too.
I didn't rate this higher because it was hard to stay focused while reading it. It's long and can be repetitive at times. I'd see how long the chapter would take me to read (I read on my Kindle) and sometimes I'd have to mentally prepare myself. Yes, it's nonfiction and doesn't read the same as fiction. But it was dry and that made it harder for me to get through.
Would I recommend this? Absolutely. To everyone. If you're a marginalized worker, there's a lot of wonderful advice. If you're not, maybe you can learn something about your own behavior and how to be a better teammate. Either way, this is worth reading.
January 29, 2023
Serendipitously, I was in the library picking up a preordered book about modern work life having just been laid off from a job I held forever and spotting this on the "New Books" shelf. It was prominently and singularly displayed as if it knew I needed it. And I truly did!
This book is invaluable. It helped me reframe the common denominator of many of my previous work experiences and helped me zero in on where things could be improved in any given scenario both in the places that I've worked and in myself.
Suggestions galore on what to do, what not to do, and actionable steps on how to go about both. But ultimately it's the perfect book for people who have wondered the HOW to move forward, just as much as it is for those who find themselves consistently asking WHY they were stuck in the first place.
This book is invaluable. It helped me reframe the common denominator of many of my previous work experiences and helped me zero in on where things could be improved in any given scenario both in the places that I've worked and in myself.
Suggestions galore on what to do, what not to do, and actionable steps on how to go about both. But ultimately it's the perfect book for people who have wondered the HOW to move forward, just as much as it is for those who find themselves consistently asking WHY they were stuck in the first place.
January 23, 2024
Exceptional book about what REALLY happens at work - and how to ensure you're in a position to do valuable work (for the world), work that gets noticed, and work in which you're able to be at your best. I appreciate Alan Henry's caring voice throughout the book - however he's also daring - challenging each of us to step up to look after our career progression so that all that time we spend working, at work, studying to be able to work, etc ends up worthwhile. Henry has made a difference for so many through his thoughtful advocacy and coaching. This book will teach you how to master the 'noise' so that your signal - and your impact is significant and strong. I hope you'll share, read, and recommend this inspiring, pragmatic and extremely USEFUL book to your colleagues and friends. Alan also has a wonderful newsletter - Productivity Without Privilege.
February 24, 2024
4.5 // If you are trying to navigate the workplace as someone from a marginalized background, this book is a must-read! Alan Henry keeps it real and no-nonsense with 15 rules that cover a broad spectrum of the work experience, including enhancing productivity, dealing with microaggressions & gaslighting, how to offload the less-glamorous tasks and spend your time more on the meaningful projects, working with your manager, advocating for higher pay, and more. A lot of the advice wasn't necessarily new and were things I've been unconsciously doing, but I feel like it gave me the permission to keep doing things like establishing boundaries around email and how to do it better. A big takeaway is keeping a work diary to document the wins, failures, and slights. This is a book I will want to revisit periodically as I move through my career.
August 14, 2024
The "Making WORK Work for You" quote from Alan Henry's recent NPR interview is a perfect description of this book. Alan describes how even extremely successful professionals can find themselves left on the outside and struggling to fix their broken work situation.
Well, he DID fix it, then came back to show others exactly how he did it.
A readable blend of personal stories and expert interviews provides excellent advice on how to structure work life to benefit the individual. For me, this was a "read a bit, think, then read more later" kind of book because I reflected on and took time to integrate useful tips (like adding a weekly review of getting clear, current, and creative). The author's personal, open voice made the book engaging and enjoyable, almost like hearing scenes recounted over a cup of coffee.
An important read for workers and their managers!
Well, he DID fix it, then came back to show others exactly how he did it.
A readable blend of personal stories and expert interviews provides excellent advice on how to structure work life to benefit the individual. For me, this was a "read a bit, think, then read more later" kind of book because I reflected on and took time to integrate useful tips (like adding a weekly review of getting clear, current, and creative). The author's personal, open voice made the book engaging and enjoyable, almost like hearing scenes recounted over a cup of coffee.
An important read for workers and their managers!
May 5, 2022
Seen, Heard, and Paid by Alan Henry is an illuminating look at the different ways marginalized people are discriminated against in the workplace and how to challenge these practices. Alan Henry is a great writer who clearly instructs the reader on a multitude of tools and tasks that can streamline the decision making process to move ahead in your career. His personal anecdotes show his wisdom and experience and bring the reader into a supportive environment for self assessment. I'd recommend this book to anyone who feels invisible in the workplace.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 31, 2022
Bipoc and other marginalized individuals usually get the worst of things when working in corporate america and most jobs in America. This is one resource to help individuals navigate and being able to work through those issues. Whether it's dealing with microaggressions, people thinking you're there to get them coffee instead of you being there to do the same type of work they do, to making sure you negotiate your worth, and make a decision when it might be time to move on, this is an eye opening and much needed resource.
I received a copy of the book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my own thoughts and opinions.
I received a copy of the book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my own thoughts and opinions.
January 15, 2023
For Sure going to buy this one and recommend it to my clients. While the majority of the book is focused on gender and racially/ethnically marginalized individuals, as a transgender, neurodivergent, and disabled individual, a LOT of what was said here resonated with me, strongly.
The book talks about how to get your contributions at work counted, how to negotiate your salary fairly, and how to be seen as a team player- all while dealing with microaggressions proactively and professionally. Some of the advice here was SO clear and straightforward forward it couldn't have been written more ideally with autistic workers in mind.
The book talks about how to get your contributions at work counted, how to negotiate your salary fairly, and how to be seen as a team player- all while dealing with microaggressions proactively and professionally. Some of the advice here was SO clear and straightforward forward it couldn't have been written more ideally with autistic workers in mind.
July 4, 2022
I was intrigued by this book from its title, as I think a lot about how to engage in valuable conversations at work about race and how to survive and thrive within the existing workplace hierarchy. Unfortunately, this book didn't really say anything profound or useful for me. It tried to paint itself as different from other "self help" "workplace advancement advice" books, but it felt like it largely retread ground others have already gone over. It might be useful for newcomers, but if you've been thinking about this stuff for a while like me, I don't think you'll care for this book.
February 25, 2024
Seen Heard & Paid: The New Work Rules for the Marginalized by Alan Henry is a "self-help" book about techniques - rules - for marginalized persons to survive and thrive in a workplace. Interestingly, the definition in and of itself does not reference race, gender, religion, age, or any myriad of ways in which marginalization can occur. The tips and techniques, while not new and relatively common sense, are a good refresher.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2024...
Reviewed for NetGalley.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2024...
Reviewed for NetGalley.
December 6, 2022
I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did. I truly identified with the author's career journey. He also talked about marginalization in a way that was approachable, understandable, and appealing to readers with differing levels of knowledge about the subject matter. I highlighted several passages, recommended the book to a few friends, and intend to do further research to learn more about the author's experiences and background. A great read.
December 21, 2022
The majority of productivity books are written with privileged workers in mind. Recommendations such as having a meeting-free day or blocking out time for emails can hurt the careers of marginalized employees who are more closely scrutinized at work. This book offers many helpful tips for making the most of your time at work or finding a more fulfilling career with an eye toward those of us who are hawk-eyed by our bosses.
August 15, 2022
This book is a must read for anyone in a profession who is stuck or imagining a better possibility for themselves. I appreciate that this book in plain in explaining how people of color end up doing the housekeeping of a team and miss the opportunities to shine. I will recommend this book to all of my mentees and any early career professional.
September 12, 2022
Although written to help marginalized professionals advocate for themselves and succeed in the workplace, I would recommend this to anyone looking to become a better boss and mentor. It provides a glimpse into how some of your team might be feeling and the the things they may be experiencing, and can help supervisors create a more equitable and productive work environment.
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