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Empowering Yourself: The Organizational Game Revealed
"Work hard and you'll get ahead!" We've heard that all our lives, but has it worked? Has your hard work often gone unnoticed or have others who have not worked as hard as you moved on, leaving you behind? If so, this book is a must read. "Empowering Yourself...The Organizational Game Revealed" tells why your career might be slowing or has hit the "glass ceiling." For the first time, the unwritten rules that define our system have been defined and written. Whether your definition of success is increased credibility in your current assignment or moving up the organizational ladder, this book will give you the knowledge to make the proper decisions to accomplish your goals. This book will, as never before, take you into the critical area of the "unwritten rules" that are so important in a successful career or life. You will, after reading this book, truly know how "the system" works and how "the game" should be played. If gaining empowerment or owning/controlling your career is an objective in your life, you must learn how the system works. This will allow your choices to be meaningful and productive. Without the information contained in this course, personal decisions will be hollow and careers will be left to the dictates of the system. After reading this book, events in your organizations will make sense; the advice from your mentor will be better understood; and even the evaluation of the evening news will take on new excitement simply because you understand the game. It is impossible to win any game if you do not know the rules. Mr. Coleman, in a simple and straight forward manner, gives us the rules we need to be successful. This book can level the playing field for any individual.
216 pages, Paperback
First published March 2, 2010
16 people are currently reading
532 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 1, 2012
Full disclosure: I only read the first 45 pages of this book. Because at page 45 the guy describes how early in his career his manager told him that he would have more chance of moving ahead if he shaved off his moustache. And then he goes on to describe how rarely you see facial hair in top management.
Bull Shit!
Two of the best CEO's of the last few decades had/have facial hair: Steve Jobs and Richard Branson.
And maybe these rules work for a lot of people out there.
Maybe I'm cutting my career short by ignoring this book.
If that's the case, that's just fine. I don't want to live in a world driven by idiotic rules like this one.
Even if I have no intrest in growing any facial hair.
Bull Shit!
Two of the best CEO's of the last few decades had/have facial hair: Steve Jobs and Richard Branson.
And maybe these rules work for a lot of people out there.
Maybe I'm cutting my career short by ignoring this book.
If that's the case, that's just fine. I don't want to live in a world driven by idiotic rules like this one.
Even if I have no intrest in growing any facial hair.
February 19, 2017
Some parts are ok but honestly it will find its way to the trash can fairly soon. Would not recommend this to others.
November 3, 2021
Weird interesting book. Like most business/self-help books, there is a lot of fluff. But at the heart of it is someone who is extremely perceptive about how to navigate class mobilization and wants to share this insight with other ambitious "outsiders." The book is written in the mid-90s, so the cultural references are certainly dated, but the overall description is sound. If anything, the class structure he describes is even more rigid now than the boom-time of the 1990s. I have never seen anyone take sociology and turn it into an instruction book. It highlights what is often missing in most self-help books - the excessive focus on "self" when so much of "success" involves how you relate to other people.
I would say the key take aways from this book are (1) there is a class structure American society (less controversial to say now) with unique cultural markers at each level. Coleman identifies 7 levels relevant to work roles. E.g. level 1 are those unable to work, level 3 is minimum wage, level 5 are middle managers, small business owners, professionals like doctors, lawyers, level 6 are CEOs, celebrities, "new money" and level 7 is "old money" and world leaders. (2) its not money or accomplishment that determines which level you are in but belonging - do you fit in culturally with that level (3) to move up a level you need to be sponsored by someone in that level (4) Once a level has welcomed you in as one of their own *the means by which to support the lifestyle of that level are provided to you.*
This is an interesting contrast to something like The Millionaire Next Door, which focuses on maintaining your lifestyle and cultural class as a means to accruing significant wealth and material security.
He is also upfront about the price it takes to climb into another level and that it is perfectly reasonable to find that price unacceptable or the level which you are at to be great. When he describes the social life of level 7 (state dinners) and level 6 (formal cocktail parties), he notes that these events are not leisurely at all but play a vital role in networking and business deals. In contrast, socializing in level 3 or 4 is focused on family, relaxing at barbecues and beers on a porch. Depending on your preference i suppose, level 3 and 4 parties sound way better.
Setting aside that it is possible to have other structures of society - more equitable, less hierarchical - Coleman provides an insightful map of how things are right now that are useful for class strivers and those who wish to break the whole thing.
I would say the key take aways from this book are (1) there is a class structure American society (less controversial to say now) with unique cultural markers at each level. Coleman identifies 7 levels relevant to work roles. E.g. level 1 are those unable to work, level 3 is minimum wage, level 5 are middle managers, small business owners, professionals like doctors, lawyers, level 6 are CEOs, celebrities, "new money" and level 7 is "old money" and world leaders. (2) its not money or accomplishment that determines which level you are in but belonging - do you fit in culturally with that level (3) to move up a level you need to be sponsored by someone in that level (4) Once a level has welcomed you in as one of their own *the means by which to support the lifestyle of that level are provided to you.*
This is an interesting contrast to something like The Millionaire Next Door, which focuses on maintaining your lifestyle and cultural class as a means to accruing significant wealth and material security.
He is also upfront about the price it takes to climb into another level and that it is perfectly reasonable to find that price unacceptable or the level which you are at to be great. When he describes the social life of level 7 (state dinners) and level 6 (formal cocktail parties), he notes that these events are not leisurely at all but play a vital role in networking and business deals. In contrast, socializing in level 3 or 4 is focused on family, relaxing at barbecues and beers on a porch. Depending on your preference i suppose, level 3 and 4 parties sound way better.
Setting aside that it is possible to have other structures of society - more equitable, less hierarchical - Coleman provides an insightful map of how things are right now that are useful for class strivers and those who wish to break the whole thing.
March 17, 2019
This book was written almost 30 years ago, so some of the advice given herein represents a more old-school era - subsequent editions made modern updates (like the reference to Sept. 11th), but left pre-existing text alone. The biggest indicator is when they say Dayton, Ohio is a business center - it's hasn't been so for 30+ years, but I digress.
This book is actually quite dark, but frankly telling the truth. This book outlines how there really is more to career success than just hard work and objectively nailing your job. There are unwritten rules, unwritten expectations, and unwritten cultural rules that effectively have just as much impact as hard-work and "objective" success on the job.
The book is a little dated, as my intro indicates, but the principles apply. Figure out how the leaders around you act, think, and carry themselves - apply their cultural finesse and business acumen to your own life and watch your career "success" measure itself in further promotions.
Quick read, will be keeping for future reference - as some sections like those on keeping power require a re-read.
This book is actually quite dark, but frankly telling the truth. This book outlines how there really is more to career success than just hard work and objectively nailing your job. There are unwritten rules, unwritten expectations, and unwritten cultural rules that effectively have just as much impact as hard-work and "objective" success on the job.
The book is a little dated, as my intro indicates, but the principles apply. Figure out how the leaders around you act, think, and carry themselves - apply their cultural finesse and business acumen to your own life and watch your career "success" measure itself in further promotions.
Quick read, will be keeping for future reference - as some sections like those on keeping power require a re-read.
February 9, 2021
Core message on the P.I.E. (performance, image, exposure) percentages is quite interesting, showing the timeless aspect of those attributes.
The chapter on the “game board” and the characteristics of each level, are a big hasty generalization, presenting some stereotypes. I recommend going through that chapter bearing in mind it was written 25 years ago.
Nonetheless, the book provides some context on the some of the unspoken rules of career progression and it’s a good starting point on the subject, providing, at the same time, a historical perspective. If you’re interested on the subject, the next book to read is “Infinite Game” by Simon Sinek.
The chapter on the “game board” and the characteristics of each level, are a big hasty generalization, presenting some stereotypes. I recommend going through that chapter bearing in mind it was written 25 years ago.
Nonetheless, the book provides some context on the some of the unspoken rules of career progression and it’s a good starting point on the subject, providing, at the same time, a historical perspective. If you’re interested on the subject, the next book to read is “Infinite Game” by Simon Sinek.
February 11, 2025
In “Empowering Yourself” by Harvey Coleman he conveys many effective methods to get connections with important individuals and how to rise the ranks in a company. The overall message of this book is that you can go from being a lower-class person to a higher-class person; But it is much easier being from an important or rich family. He explains how workloads should be done to better your chances of being promoted in your company. Harvey states that you have to look and act the part to have a role. So even if you are a fantastic employee, but you have no mannerisms and no professional attire chances are you probably won’t get it.
May 8, 2017
Read this book during flights. I love the first few chapters a lot. Its direction on setting up the correct Performance, Image and Exposure is indeed most people need to focus on.
The description of social life in "high-class" citizens is pontification or bullshit in some sense, but it gives you some sense of how a majority of successful people live. Of course, this book does not aim at who wants to change the world but "mediocre" employees who are struggling in their career advancement.
The description of social life in "high-class" citizens is pontification or bullshit in some sense, but it gives you some sense of how a majority of successful people live. Of course, this book does not aim at who wants to change the world but "mediocre" employees who are struggling in their career advancement.
March 27, 2025
Must read for anyone interested in having a career. Absolutely relevant in today’s world and worth a revisit when making any career moves.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews