Expect to Win
Proven Strategies for Success from a Wall Street Vet
By: Carla A. Harris
Published: Jan 22, 2009
ISBN: 9781594630514
Format: Hardcover 240pp
Publisher: Hudson Street Press
"Most people don't realize that they are responsible for actively and aggressively managing their careers", writes successful Wall Street executive Carla Harris in her empowering book Expect to Win: Proven Strategies for Success from a Wall Street Vet. The author points out the absolute necessity of taking charge of your own career, and avoiding the widely held myths about hard work, career advancement, and meritocracy.
Carla Harris understand that hard work alone isn't enough to build a successful career. To build a strong career path, as she did at the major investment bank Morgan Stanley, required much more than letting others manage her career. As a woman of color, she recognized subtle obstacles in her way, and describes how she overcame them. Her honest discussion of the mistakes she made in her early business career, and the description of the many steps she took to keep herself on the highly competitive fast track, are crucial parts of the book. Her varied work experiences, and her pearls of wisdom gleaned as a result, are lessons that can be applied by anyone to a career in any profession.
Carla Harris (photo left) recognizes, not only the value of having a career mentor, but in the vital importance of find the right mentor to guide your way. Her experiences with seeking advice were often not helpful, but were more discouraging instead. She felt the frustration of alternating between receiving bad advice, and hearing advice so vague and general, that it was almost useless. The book fills in that information and advice gap very well, so that new members of any profession can steer their way up the ladder of success. Indeed, the book helps the reader manage their own career, so that a mentor can share even more specialized advice, rather than simply the basics of the job.
For me, the power of the book is its practical no nonsense format. Every chapter teaches valuable lessons in career management, in easy to read and understand language. At the end of each chapter are the priceless pearls of wisdom that Carla Harris learned in her management career on Wall Street. Each of the pearls, as she calls them, are concepts that can be applied readily at any point in a person's career. At the same time, the author shares insights into balancing work and personal life so the reader can enjoy the benefits of a balanced life in both worlds.
I highly recommend the essential Expect to Win: Proven Strategies for Success from a Wall Street Vet by Carla Harris to anyone, regardless of gender, race or personal background who seeks to manage and take control of their own career and personal life. Instead of letting someone else be in charge of your life, the book provides the tools necessary to be your own career coach.
Read Expect to Win: Proven Strategies for Success from a Wall Street Vet by Carla Harris, and learn to ask the right questions of advisers and mentors, and to make the right career choices and decisions. At the same time, the author demonstrates clearly how to avoid the devastating mistakes that can damage or even derail a career. Instead of being a pawn in the corporate world, learn instead to be empowered, and in charge of all facets of your own life.
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