My Story... From Humble Beginnings to Professional Success


Book Description

Practical and authentic, this essential career handbook provides every young person with inspiration and practical pathways to overcome socio-economic adversity and achieve their career ambitions. Written by an impressive group of senior professionals who have excelled despite seemingly insurmountable circumstances, including barriers such as racism and economic hardship, this book provides the roadmap to professional career success. With students and graduates from diverse and economically adverse backgrounds specifically in mind, the book breaks from the notion that one has to become a superstar, a Supreme Court Justice, a movie star, or an internationally famous athlete to be successful. It provides a grounded and realistic approach to achieve social, economic, and professional advancement for the majority of college students. High-level professionals and leaders in industry, government, non-profit, education, medicine, military, and the law share their unique stories, each filled with spirit, hope, advice, success strategies, and approaches to dealing with failures along the way. The book offers direction and guidance for self-determination and professional development, while also inspiring excellence in organizational leadership and management, with a focus on leadership, character, and tangible skills. This is essential reading for college students and graduates from all backgrounds, with a focus on underrepresented groups in particular. It will also benefit instructors, professors, and professionals in higher education, as well as leaders in the public, private, and third sectors who are focused on uplifting students and recent graduates of adverse and diverse backgrounds.




From Illusion to Reality: True Stories and Practical Advice on How to Prepare for Career Success Before Graduating College


Book Description

Upon graduating college and entering the working world, many students feel lost and are often inadequately prepared. Why is this? It all boils down to the importance of work ethic, integrity, and a willingness to do research instead of just charging blindly into your professional life. This book intends to expose the mistaken beliefs of college graduates, while also providing a dedicated space for practical tips that evoke a positive mental shift. Also included is a section on career preparation, which will help you take practical steps toward discovering your potential future career. The advice given in this book covers both personal and professional life, since the level of excellence you demonstrate in one area will often impact the other. From Illusion to Reality will provide readers with a better understanding of their calling, as well as hope for the future and a passion that will drive them toward their goals. With personal anecdotes from the authors themselves as well as from graduates and working professionals from different walks of life, this book is both engaging and grounded in real life experience, not in abstract or elitist ideas. Written for average to advanced readers, this book is an easy but engaging read that will put you on the right professional track.




What Not To Do To Be A Successful Entrepreneur


Book Description

Unlock the secrets to entrepreneurial success with "What Not To Do" – your essential guide to navigating the complex world of business. This book is not just a collection of advice; it's a treasure trove of real-life experiences, distilled into powerful lessons by someone who's walked the path. Why should you read this book? Because it offers something invaluable: wisdom born from mistakes and triumphs alike. Each chapter unveils critical dos and don'ts in business, drawn from authentic scenarios. It's like having a mentor who shares not only what to strive for but also what pitfalls to avoid. With S.M.A.R.T. Goal Worksheets, the book ensures a hands-on approach, making it more than just a read—it's a transformative experience. From maintaining integrity to effect of ego on your decision-making, and balancing ambition with humility, "What Not To Do" covers it all. It's designed for aspiring entrepreneurs, seasoned business owners, and anyone in between who seeks to refine their entrepreneurial journey. By embracing the insights within these pages, you equip yourself to make smarter decisions, foster stronger relationships, and build a more successful professional life. Dive into "What Not To Do" and transform your entrepreneurial dreams into reality, one chapter at a time. It’s your key to unlocking a world of possibilities!




The Ideal Team Player


Book Description

In his classic book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni laid out a groundbreaking approach for tackling the perilous group behaviors that destroy teamwork. Here he turns his focus to the individual, revealing the three indispensable virtues of an ideal team player. In The Ideal Team Player, Lencioni tells the story of Jeff Shanley, a leader desperate to save his uncle’s company by restoring its cultural commitment to teamwork. Jeff must crack the code on the virtues that real team players possess, and then build a culture of hiring and development around those virtues. Beyond the fable, Lencioni presents a practical framework and actionable tools for identifying, hiring, and developing ideal team players. Whether you’re a leader trying to create a culture around teamwork, a staffing professional looking to hire real team players, or a team player wanting to improve yourself, this book will prove to be as useful as it is compelling.




Journey to Success Navigating Life's Challenges and Seizing Opportunities for Young Professionals


Book Description

Welcome aboard the journey of a lifetime – a journey filled with twists, turns, and unexpected detours. In "Journey to Success: Navigating Life's Challenges and Seizing Opportunities for Young Professionals," we embark on a voyage of self-discovery, growth, and achievement. For every young professional setting sail in the vast sea of career exploration, this book serves as a compass, guiding you through turbulent waters and calm seas alike. Whether you're charting a new course or navigating uncharted territory, "Journey to Success" equips you with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to thrive amidst life's ever-changing tides. In this captivating narrative, we'll explore the exhilarating highs and challenging lows that define the journey to success. From overcoming obstacles to seizing opportunities, each chapter offers a beacon of hope and inspiration for young professionals striving to make their mark on the world. Prepare to embark on a transformative odyssey, where resilience, determination, and unwavering optimism reign supreme. Together, let's embark on a voyage of self-discovery, empowerment, and boundless potential. Welcome aboard – your journey to success awaits.




Until We Meet Again


Book Description

Thomas Toren experienced more horror, loss, and change in his life than most. When he was just six, his mother was arrested for Rassenschande and imprisoned by the Nazis. Young Thomas would not see her again until he was almost thirty. He did not know who his father was, and the man who raised him was cold and distant. His older half-sister grew up to be an unkind, egotistical person who betrayed him and his beloved wife, Lisa. He was born in Berlin in 1931. He was expelled from two German primary schools because of his stepfathers Jewish surname. From age seven, he was raised by two women in the Russian immigrant community of Harbin, China, where he finished a Russian high school at the top of his class. Having spent his formative years there and suspecting that his biological father was either Russian or Polish, Toren considers himself Russian. This all seemed perfectly normal to the young man. Torens explanation: children accept everything as normal. Only in hindsight, after acquiring some life experience and wisdom, are we able to understand and analyse our childhood. To escape the Soviet bloc, he managed to travel to Israel, where he married his lifelong love, Lisa. In these transitions, a bit of stability emerged. Toren had a long, successful career as a qualified mechanicalengineer and brilliant inventor. Now retired, Toren felt the urge to record the stories of his unusual life, during which he has experienced four cultures and observed many more. Hes called Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Australia home at various times of his life. These intercontinental movements were not by choice; they were imposed as a result of political upheavals of the twentieth century. Toren knows that life was not meant to be easy. Wishing and hoping is not enough. Determination and perseverance are essential. A bit of luck also helps. Life has taught Toren an important lesson. He says: We should learn to fully appreciate each one of our many blessings, which we normally take for granted. We tend to fully appreciate our blessings only in retrospect, after we have lost them!




Small Actions: Leading Your Career To Big Success


Book Description

The 'small actions' you take today can put you on the path to big career success tomorrow. If these actions are innovative, intelligent and well-timed, they can make a lasting impact and help you navigate your career journey in the face of uncertainty and disruptions.A key opinion leader on LinkedIn, Eric Sim shares practical and actionable tips to help you achieve your career goals. He draws these from his diverse real-life experience — from selling street food and training to be an engineer, to becoming a managing director at UBS Investment Bank.Arranged thematically into 66 bite-sized chapters, this book brings together a series of relatable stories and case studies. You'll learn valuable career lessons, such as why it's important to be a 'combo specialist', and how you can influence people and build your personal brand. Whether you're just starting out in the workforce or are looking to get further ahead, let this book inspire you to take powerful small actions of your own.




The Black Dot Philosophy


Book Description

" In this chaotic world, filled with struggle, uncertainty, and overwhelming challenges, The Black Dot Philosophy emerges as a lifeline. Authored by Jerry Mark Fish, this book is an innovative transformative guide that turns daunting obstacles into golden opportunities for growth. The Black Dot Philosophy is a journey, a movement towards resilience, fulfillment, and success. It offers a pathway to empowerment, a strategy to transform life's black dots into beacons of hope. With a perfect blend of real-life examples and practical advice, it's a must-have toolkit for anyone facing life's trials. It promises not just to change your perspective but to redefine your approach to life's challenges, leading you to a life of purpose, achievement, and joy. "




Stumbling into Success Is Good


Book Description

Navigating the complexities of professional services careers is hard and often riddled with frustration and disappointment. No doubt the lucrative compensation is not to be ignored, and of course the distinguished opportunity to serve and lead at the highest ranks of your chosen profession. While the glimpses of what success looks like are all around, it can sometimes feel beyond the realm of imagination for someone to realize such gains for themselves. Many people stumble into successful career outcomes after humble beginnings with little or no plan. Sadly, there are large groups of talented and ambitious people who continue to struggle to align interests to opportunities that will yield their desired outcomes. These people represent a kaleidoscope of backgrounds and experiences for which there are no established criteria. This book captures my journey as an immigrant from Jamaica to the leader I am today, highlighting key principles that helped me endure many challenges and lead a successful business. Based on countless mentoring conversations I’ve had throughout my career, I know my story will resonate with many professionals who had or are having similar experiences. My hope for the reader is to be inspired, encouraged, and most importantly be able to extract tactical actions that can be applied along their journey to help them achieve their desired career aspiration.




Sevyns Life: A Story About The First Black Billionaire Transgender Woman


Book Description

This story provides an intriguing glimpse into the life of its protagonist, Sevyn, from her humble beginnings growing up in the Cabrini Green housing projects of Chicago all the way to her current status as a billionaire transgender businesswoman living in an opulent mansion in Dubai. The narrative seamlessly jumps between the present and flashes back to Sevyn’s childhood, painting a picture of how she has risen from nothing to achieve immense success against all odds. From the very first chapter, the author establishes Sevyn as a strong, driven woman who hasn’t let her past hold her back. We find her waking up beside her loving husband Rich in their sprawling Dubai estate, but even amid this life of luxury, the scent of coffee and bacon takes her back to memories of her grandmother’s kitchen in Cabrini Green. These glimpses into Sevyn’s childhood highlight the grit and resilience she developed early on, traits that would serve her well on her journey. Despite everything she endured growing up in such an impoverished environment, she has never stopped believing in herself or her ability to make her dreams a reality. After reconnecting with memories of her family and upbringing over breakfast, Sevyn begins to open up to Rich about her history, hinting at secrets from her past that will alter their understanding of who she is. This sets the stage for what is sure to be a revealing tale of Sevyn’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment. I’m eager to learn more about the obstacles she had to overcome to reach her current position of wealth and influence. Her determination to keep striving despite facing adversity serves as an inspiration. That night, Sevyn has another taping of her show “SS Diaries,” though she neglects practicing her monologue as ghosts from her past resurface. Through the description of her silhouette dancing in the mirror fragments cast by the chandelier, the author builds an evocative sense of the inner turmoil Sevyn feels as her demons emerge. But she is able to channel her memories of poverty and homelessness into finding her voice, and delivers a passionate speech touching on themes of perseverance that resonates with her massive global audience. After filming, Sevyn and Rich retreat to the secret cellar chamber of their mansion, where in addition to cannabis and music, they keep priceless works of art, family portraits, and evidence of their philanthropic ambitions. Sevyn’s successful career has clearly provided rich material comforts, but her history still haunts her as she gazes at photos reminding her of harsher times. Rich remains devotedly by her side, supporting her through the resurfacing of painful recollections. Their loving relationship, established family, and hopes for the future offer rays of light amid the shadows of Sevyn’s past that continue emerging. I’m left wanting to know more about the specific hardships she faced and how she was finally able to overcome them. Her journey seems sure to inspire with its message of empowerment and achieving the impossible through grit, resilience and an unbreakable spirit. The author provides vivid sensory details that transport the reader directly into Sevyn’s lavish yet conflicted world. From the scents and sounds that transport her back to her childhood, to the reflection of her quivering form in the mirrors as trauma resurfaces, one can feel the visceral experience of Sevyn’s memories and emotions. The interweaving of flashbacks with the present day also builds engaging dramatic tension, making me eager to watch as more of Sevyn’s history is revealed piece by piece. Both Sevyn and Rich come across as complex, multilayered characters, and I appreciate the glimpses into Rich’s background and support of Sevyn that help balance the focus on her experiences. Their caring partnership serves as a strong foundation that clearly played a role in helping Sevyn achieve all she has. Her determination to keep growing in her philanthropy work despite struggles with her past shows an evolved character who wants to use her platform to help others facing similar adversity. In summary, this novel introduction draws the reader deeply into Sevyn’s intriguing world through vivid sensory storytelling and bits of mystery surrounding her past. Both the present-day scenes of luxury and the historical flashes back to harder times feel richly realized. Sevyn emerges as a compelling protagonist whose journey of perseverance through challenge upon challenge promises to hold inspiration. I look forward to seeing how the author continues to peel back the layers on Sevyn’s history while advancing the engaging plotlines of her marriage, career, and philanthropic ambitions. This shows great promise as a story of empowerment and overcoming the odds through grit and resilience.