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The bitch is in.
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(Cathie) Black Magic
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I think you are an idiot.
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It's finally Friday. I'm free again.
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During my time at home recovering I am watching an unimaginable amount of television. Most of it is total rubbish but yesterday I saw something that captured and kept my attention for an entire hour. Probably because what I saw was exciting and motivating!
I am talking about seeing Cathie Black on the Oprah show. Now I have to confess that before yesterday, I had no clue who Cathie Black was. I know now that she is an incredibly successful executive (President, actually) of Hearst Magazines which publishes great magazines like O at home, Popular Mechanics and Redbook.
If there is one thing that I think has helped me in my own career it is seeking and spending time with great role models. I have worked with CEO’s, entreprenuer’s, managers and peers that have mentored me over the years and I have also kept my eyes on great mentors that are reachable via the media (books, television, etc). Cathie Black is going to be on that list of media mentors.
I haven’t read her book yet but after seeing her on the Oprah show and reading How to be a star at work: 7 rules for a really big career on Oprah’s website, I was sold on Cathie Black. I snooped around and found her website CathyBlack.com and found more book excerpts around the internet and I am impressed at the volume of really GREAT information that Cathie Black presents in her book. I’m placing my order for my book and suggest you do the same.
I think rule number 4 is my favorite:
Rule 4: It’s best in the long run to make your life a grudge-free zone.
Several years after I became president of Hearst Magazines, a Hearst executive walked into my office with a complaint.
“Cathie,” she said, “I just heard there’s a meeting this afternoon that I should be in on, and nobody told me about it. I don’t know why I’m being shut out, but I should definitely have been included.”
“So go to the meeting,” I told her. “Assume it was an oversight, and go take your rightful place.” She looked surprised, but later in the day she did just that. And as it turned out, she hadn’t been intentionally excluded at all—it was an honest mistake. But she’d made a mistake of her own, in forgetting this important rule: Don’t personalize things that aren’t personal.
Where do you get your inspiration from? Have you read any great books? Do you have any mentors - personally or professionally - that help you shape your life?
This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 24th, 2007 at 10:53 am and is filed under Climbing the ladder.
October 24th, 2007 at 11:31 am
HUGE Suze Orman fan. I picked up a copy of “The Money Book for the Young, Broke, and Fabulous” (bounced a check to do it, actually.. how’s that for irony?) and fell in love with her. Since then, I’ve gotten SUCH a better handle on finances. And her big cajones thing to me? She sued Meryll-Lynch. While she was working for them. And won.
October 24th, 2007 at 11:52 am
EEP! I saw Suze Orman for the first time last week and LOVE HER! She doesn’t tiptoe around the facts and boldly tells people what she thinks. I love that about her.
October 24th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
OMG i am posting a comment before even reading because i am so freaking excited! i saw part of this yeaterday (was working from home what can i say) and had to leave 1/2 way through! ok going to read now, more later.
October 24th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
ok must buy the book. i dont really have many business mentors. i am just sort of floundering around. is it bad that i look around and really dont see anyone i would want to emulate? i figure, just keep looking at the ‘lessons of what NOT to do!’
Though actually, my current boss is pretty fantastic. maybe i am just not a good mentoree LOL
October 24th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Kate - first of all - you crack me up. Your excitement is awesome! Second, I think there is nothing wrong with what I call Reverse Mentoring - the art of learning from the idiocy and mistakes of others. LOL
October 24th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
I’m in the unenviable position of being a mentor and learning a new position at the same time. It’s tough. I could use a mentor, or at least a sounding board, myself.
October 26th, 2007 at 9:55 am
Daisy - I admire you. I think I would be a stressed out wench if I had to learn a new job AND mentor. That said I think you should definitely look for a mentor for yourself. Mentors can have mentors you know!
October 29th, 2007 at 5:27 am
I have a parenting mentor — my aunt, who’s only a few years older than me and has four children. Amazing woman.
I had a mentor when I was starting my childcare business, and she saved me so much grief! I don’t have one for the career switch I’m making, nor for the career I want to be in, and so I feel I’m floundering a bit, not moving forward efficiently to my goals, because I don’t know enough about it all. ARGH. I have had some help along the way, for which I am exceedingly grateful, but I need more. Diligently seeking mentors…
October 29th, 2007 at 11:36 am
hmm maybe we should ad a ’seeking mentors’ group! i could you one to… any IT mentors? why do i hear an echo? lol
November 11th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
What kind of IT advice? programming, websites, basics…
I don’t know much but I can ask my CTO where to look on-line for help.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
[...] on Who Stole My Stapler we recently chatted about my new obsession with Cathie Black’s absolutely BRILLIANT line of thinking. I officially crowned her as my new mentor although she [...]
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