When the author uses this quote to start a book, prepared to be ruined, They said you came looking for me. I didn't drown; I was the water"- Jo NketiWhen the author uses this quote to start a book, prepared to be ruined, They said you came looking for me. I didn't drown; I was the water"- Jo Nketiah Also...the the title was a dead giveaway.
This book is being marketed as a mash up of Transcendent Kingdom and A Man Called Over and I think its doing the book a disserve, I think this Open Water and Transcendent Kingdom had a baby... The Selfless Act of Breathing would be the child. This is my way of saying... it's a beautiful child that you MUST READ!
This is such a beautiful debut, Bola has a way with words where they get under your skin, and stay there. I was so moved by how the author handled Michael story, it was nuanced, fresh, engaging, and truly beautiful, I think everyone should read this book.
We meet Michael, a young teacher at a high school in London. He is loved by his students, his co-worker enjoys his company, his best friend loves him, he still lives with his mother and can barely save enough after he gets paid. While he is doing was well as can be, for a long time he's felt like he doesn't have the will to go on. He continues to push through those feelings- even when his mother brings home the pastor and asks for his blessing for them to get married. After a traumatic experience, things finally pushes him to leave it all behind... and that's where the story starts, with these lines, "I quit my job; I am taking my life savings, $9,021, and when it runs out, I am going to kill myself."
With an opener like that, prepare for the unexpected. To leave London, head to LA and all over the USA... but what happens when the life savings runs out? Well... read to find out.
I cannot wait to read what Bola writes next. Loneliness is a topic I feel we don't talk a lot about and Bola did it with heart and nuance. Michael experience is so layered, being a Black teacher in London, from Immigrant parents, being raised by his mother who expects so much of him, including going to church regularly. I really did not want the book to end. What a beautiful read.
Below are some of of the quotes from the book I absolutely LOVED!
We fight to be seen, for the world to know that we are here, only for us to be forgotten, to be invisible once again.
Have you ever loved, knowing it would end, but giving your whole heart regardless?
She loved books in a different way than I; they brought her back into the world but helped me escape.
The thing about losing love is makes you feel like you can never love again, like you are not worthy.
It reminds him of the Caribbean restaurants in Dalston or Tottenham High Road, and how there's always something endearing about the way the servers behind the counter never smile at you, or the way they tell you, "we nuh ave that," and yet you keep coming back because you love it.
Loneliness is being there for everyone, everyone, in the hope that someone will be there for you. But no one ever is. You are the sun, lighting the world of another, while setting yourself on fire.
And above all, it is love, that spark of bright light, that dazzling flame, ephemeral or eternal, may it find us, may it be us, the will that carries us forward, the bond that brings us back, from beyond this lonely feeling to healing; the selfless act of breathing.
1. I read Daniel Pink's When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing and that book changed my life fI decided to pick up this book for two reasons:
1. I read Daniel Pink's When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing and that book changed my life for the better.
2. I saw it on my CEO's desk and I am always fascinated by people in leadership read, so of course I asked to borrow it.
In Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us Pink sets to talk about motivation and why the old "carrot and stick" method will not work. I really enjoyed the all the examples he used as to why monetary rewards will not work and how having money as a form of reward generally lead to lost of motivation, people be unethical etc. I particular loved the candle stick experiment and I do recommend everyone read it.
Pink sets out to show that the regardless of the field you work in, people's motivations are intrinsic and not exactly dependant on external factors eg. money or fame. Yes! Rewards can deliver a short term boost-just as a jolt of caffeine can keep you cranking for a few hours. But the effect wears off- and, worse, can reduce a person's long-term motivation..."
While enjoyed this read, I do think it could have benefitted from a bit more editing, I found Pink repeated himself a lot and belabored a point unnecessarily. I however loved where he explored the "what is your sentence" question.
If you are in management, or currently trying to figure out how to keep yourself and your team motivated, I strongly suggest you read this book.
Last year I saw this book all over my timeline, I did not take it on because the reviews were mixed. This weekend I went to a free book library and2.5
Last year I saw this book all over my timeline, I did not take it on because the reviews were mixed. This weekend I went to a free book library and I saw it on the shelf so I figured I should give it a go. A day later I am still wondering "wtf did I really read?"
For the first 50 pages I was hella confused as to what was happening, the jarring narration, the different voices, the lack of location or insights on what exactly is happening was enough to throw off the most seasoned reader. I progressed and got into a rhythm, I figured out what was talking place and I was able to enjoy some of the characters. Overall I didn't enjoy this read. ...more
In Another Mother Ross Kenneth Urken sets about to piece together for himself the Jamaican woman who was his Nanny growing up and who he calls his oIn Another Mother Ross Kenneth Urken sets about to piece together for himself the Jamaican woman who was his Nanny growing up and who he calls his other mother. Dezna left Jamaica in the 1980s after a series of failed relationships and attempts to make a better life. She started working with the Urken family taking care of their two kids, Ross and Nicole. Over the years she did this, she and Ross became so close, he not only looked to her as another mother but saw Jamaica as his second home.
After the passing of Dezna, Ross met some of her family and realized that there was a whole other life Dezna had before coming to the US, it is through writing this book he set out to piece together her history.
When I first started reading this book, I instantly prayed the author would not be tone and culture deaf... he was not. It was Ross paying homage to a woman who raised him and made his childhood bearable. I liked getting to know more about Dezna and her family.
A heart-felt read.
THanks Ian Randle Publishers for this book. ...more
Fabulous is a collection of short stories. Each story is retelling of old Greek mythology and Bible stories into how these stories might have happen Fabulous is a collection of short stories. Each story is retelling of old Greek mythology and Bible stories into how these stories might have happened if they were set in Britain 2019. I had very high hopes for this collection, even though I didn't know all the Greek stories, Hallett gives a summary of them so you are able to follow with the re-telling. I felt that each retelling wasn't as refreshing, spunky and packing much punch. Overall I felt the stories were lacking. ...more
I recently read and loved Robert Iger's The Ride of a Lifetime and in it he mentioned Pixar and the company's culture. In his book he seemed awe by I recently read and loved Robert Iger's The Ride of a Lifetime and in it he mentioned Pixar and the company's culture. In his book he seemed awe by the "magic" over at Pixar I had to read Creativity Inc to see what the hype is about and I am happy I did.
This book isn’t just for Pixar people, entertainment executives, or animators. It is for anyone who wants to work in an environment that fosters creativity and problem solving. My belief is that good leadership can help creative people stay on the path to excellence no matter what business they’re in.
As a Marketing Professional I have worked at creative agencies and with creative people since the start of my career. I loved hearing from Catmull on how his team fosters an environment for creative people to not only flourish but to grow and take big chances. I loved hearing about the creative process, the company's culture and all the work that went into making the stunning movies Pixar is known for.
Getting inside information on how to lead and lead better was also a great highlight. If you work in the creative field or with creatives I strongly suggest you give this book a read. ...more
The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri follows the story of Nuri, a beekeeper and his wife Afra who is an artist as they flee from Syria to seek The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri follows the story of Nuri, a beekeeper and his wife Afra who is an artist as they flee from Syria to seek refuge in England. Before the war, Nuri and Afra lived a picturesque and comfortable life in Aleppo- they lacked nothing and was constantly surrounded by their friends and family, doing work they loved. Things take a major change for the worse when Syria erupts in a war zone and they are forced to leave under the most grueling and inhumane conditions. Nuri must now guide Afra who loses her sight after a traumatic experience. They only have each other as they set out for this journey to England to meet Nuri's cousin and business partner Mustafa.... will they ever be reunited?
What a sad and heart-breaking read. It felt so real and I guess it is because of the refugee situation that is happening around the world. As a Jamaican living in Trinidad and Tobago we have a lot of persons journeying from Venezuela to Trinidad in search of a new life. Reading this novel really hit close to home in so many ways. Lefteri wrote a beautiful story with characters whose situations will break your heart. While I did enjoy the story, I felt there was something missing and the story ended a bit too early.
I was slack-jawed to realize that there was more than one way to read the text—that from one passage, multiple meanings could be deduced without cont I was slack-jawed to realize that there was more than one way to read the text—that from one passage, multiple meanings could be deduced without contradicting the language in the original. That interpretation was a phenomenon with real implications for believers.
That quote basically summarizes why we are here today and why this book was written. Before reading this book I did not know about Megan and the Westboro Baptist Church. I decided to give this book a read because of the blurb and because as a Follower of Christ I wanted to hear from someone who "left the church". Needless to say, I wasn't prepared for the doctrine Westboro Baptist church preached and believed in.
Megan gives a deeply personal look into how she was raised, how she ended up with these beliefs, how the Bible- or the improper use of the scriptures gave her a firm standing in her hate and how her family beliefs shaped hers as well. There is so much to unpack and I think Megan tries with this memoir but so much more still needs to discuss. In reading her accounting I kept wondering-, "how did they get it so "wrong". God is love and He requires us to love so for church to build their beliefs on something so counter to the God they serve was an eye opener. Also, this is nothing new, for centuries people have been quoting the Bible for their benefit.
Overall I liked how Megan came to the realization and her whole journey through that. I like that she questions and makes me question what I hear. I would have liked to find out more about what Megan's life is like now. What are her beliefs, how is she unpacking this world as it is- but alas, this is not "Life After Westboro Baptist Church: A memoir". She gave us exactly what she said she would in the title- anything else would just have been really nice...
An interesting read to say the least....
If you are like me and did not know a thing about the Westboro Baptist Church but is still curious
If there truly was more than one legitimate way to understand the world, then there was nothing inherently wrong with people who believed differently than we did. We could cease presuming most people were evil and ill-intentioned....more
If you are like me who lives outside if the US and basically under a rock, the New York Times does a column called Modern Love. The book Modern Love:If you are like me who lives outside if the US and basically under a rock, the New York Times does a column called Modern Love. The book Modern Love: True Stories of Love, Loss and Redemption is a collection of the some of the best essays that appeared in the column over the last ten years. This is an insanely cohesive, well put together collection of essays that explores modern love in the most hilarious, deeply personal, moving, vulnerable, and heartfelt way. I could not have enough of this collection- I found myself crying at the end of some of these essays and it was beautiful!
Modern Love... what does that even mean? Well, in this collection we are privy to all the various types of love and I think that is exactly what I loved about it. We see love explored in all its various forms, from young love, parental love, sibling love, gay love, redemptive love etc. There are so many different essays that I read and it really spoke to me on a deep level. Some of these essays captured what it is like for millennials dating and trying to find love and for me, it really helps to see I am not alone.
Majority of these essays I lovr but my favorites were: Uh, Honey, That's Not Your Line The Five Stages of Ghosting Grief For Best Hookup Results, Use Your Words, Ok? When Cupid Is A Prying Journalist Hear That Wedding March Often Enough, You Fall in Step When Eve and Eve Bit the Apple Truly, Madly Guilty You May Want to Marry My Husband Adolescence without a Roadmap Something Like Motherhood I loved how vulnerable and open these essays were, from the women freaking out and trying not to stare at her phone after sending a sexy message to a guy she recently met who might have ghosted her. To the woman admitting that she loves her husband more than her kids (yes! you read that right!). To the mother trying to guide her autistic son to love because, adolescence is hard as it is. To the woman serving in church and being excommunicated from said church after falling in love with another woman.... y'all- these essays are profound and deeply moving.
If you are looking for a great collection on love- THIS IS IT!!!!
Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, and Advice for Living Your Best Life is a collection of essays that Ali Wong wrote to her two daughters Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, and Advice for Living Your Best Life is a collection of essays that Ali Wong wrote to her two daughters on how they can be better individuals. The caveat for the daughters reading this book is that they have to be of a certain age and you will see why once you start reading it.
Ali Wong holds nothing back, she gives it to us raw, real and without any dressing up. I thought Always Be My Maybe was the cutest show ever and I loved getting a look into Wong's life.
Some people are not here for her husband giving the afterword- and on one hand I am agree- let this be about Ali and her daughters.... on the other hand, I liked hearing from the man who is the butt of most if not all of Ali's joke- shouldn't he have something to say?
Margaret Atwood said "One question about The Handmaid’s Tale that came up repeatedly is: How did Gilead fall? The Testaments was written in response.Margaret Atwood said "One question about The Handmaid’s Tale that came up repeatedly is: How did Gilead fall? The Testaments was written in response... I am happy I read the acknowledgements because if I didn't I might have judged this book unfairly. The main purpose of this book was to show the fall of Gilead and the book accomplished what it set out to do... for the most part... I would have liked to get a look into what happened after the fall but I guess that's a book for another time.
Honestly, I enjoyed reading this book and I took it for what it was, an answer to the question of how did Gilead fall.
Only 2.6% of construction workers are female. We did not install that glass ceiling, and it is not our responsibility to demolish it/
Having read and Only 2.6% of construction workers are female. We did not install that glass ceiling, and it is not our responsibility to demolish it/
Having read and enjoyed Lindy West's Shrill , which was then made into a Hulu series and I absolutely loved it, I could not wait to read her second collection The Witches Are Coming . In true West fashion, she held nothing back, I found myself laughing out loud, nodding in agreement and getting riled TF up. West talks about everything from Trump, to Twitter, to getting Shrill made into a series, abortion, how to be a girl, she picks apart todays culture and the things we are being fed and society would like us to believe.
While I did enjoy the collection, there was one thing that I could not get pass and that is West's lack of respect and awe for dresses with pockets. I cannot stand by as someone debase a thing that makes me so happy. (Totally kidding.... not really kidding but....). Other than that, this was a solid collection of essays, my only real drawback was the theme of the "Witches are coming" was explored more or more seamlessly.
A riot of a read, filled with a lot of teachable moments.
You catch more flies with honey," Well I don't want flies. The most likeable woman in the world is crawling with fucking flies" ...more
Updated December 9 I loved this book so much I decided to make it a BookOfCinz book club pick. This is a truly moving collection that deserves to be Updated December 9 I loved this book so much I decided to make it a BookOfCinz book club pick. This is a truly moving collection that deserves to be read.
I was simply storing up my tears, I would need them later. Somehow I knew this.
I am speechless and in tears after reading Bassey Ikpi's I'm Telling the Truth, but I'm Lying . Reading this collection of deeply personal essays was like picking up your best friend's well written diary and getting genuine and utterly vulnerable look into their life. I am blown away by not only well written, utterly beautiful and moving the writing is, but how Ikpi is able to remain honest and real throughout the entire collection. This book takes guts to write, putting your truth out there takes bravery and I remain in awe at the author's courage.
I picked up this book because of the snarky title but I didn't know the author or what the book would be about and I am happy I did because I didn't want to prepare myself for how blown away I would be. In this collection of essays Ikpi who suffers from bipolar talks about her life, from childhood when she migrated from Nigeria to the US, to her various relationships and ultimately getting diagnosed with bipolar and detailing what that on-going battle is like for her. It is not every day you pick up a deeply personal collection of essays written by a Nigerian woman that details her battle with bipolar and I was here for all of it.
What really took my breath away was when Ikpi's doctor listed the signs of bipolar and all the signs were things she thought of as her personality trait. WOW.
Almost all the essays were stand-outs but I particularly loved, Young Girls They Do Get Weary, The Hands That Held Me, Yaka, Like A War, This Is What Happens When, Beauty in Breakdown & It Has a Name These essays hit home for me in so many ways- particularly the exploration of the mother and daughter relationship. That theme was present throughout the book and my heart really went out to the author and her mother because mother-daughter relationships are so freaking hard! When the author say I forgive her always because how can you not forgive someone whose whole life was a sprint towards survival? I felt that! I also really really loved the essay that addresses her relationship with a man who was unwilling to commit and who I felt gaslighted TF out of her. When she said This is what he does. He shows you his hand and makes you feel ashamed for looking at it. my breath left my body- WOW.
Overall, a truly moving, deeply personal and beautiful collection of MUST READ essays. WOW!...more
In Me Dying Trial we meet Gwennie, a primary school teach in rural Jamaica in an unhappy marriage with six children. Gwennie can not seem to catch aIn Me Dying Trial we meet Gwennie, a primary school teach in rural Jamaica in an unhappy marriage with six children. Gwennie can not seem to catch a break, she works for a really low salary and is constantly tired with little or no help. With the help of her Mother and her Aunty, Gwennie was able to leave her children to pursue higher education in the form of a teacher's certificate. With her new found empowerment Gwennie wants to do and be so much more but ends up getting pregnant with another child. Overcome with a sense of hopelessness with no end in sight Gwennie finds a light through her brother who sends her a visa to the US.
Gweenie is faced with the hard decision, should she leave her 6 children in the care of her family and husband who is constantly drunk? Should she run away and carve a life out for them? What will happen if she leaves? With such a hard decision to make Gweenie decides to visit the US for three months but three years later her children only hears from her through letters and barrel sent every Christmas. How does Gweenie bridge the gap of resentment building in children and family?
Me Dying Trial is a truly authentic Jamaican novel that give us a unique look into country life and life in the 1980s. I liked the story of Gweenie but I did not LOVE it. I felt the story was a bit all over the place and a lot of issues were left unresolved. I felt Gweenie was a character was a bit once dimensional and so was her husband. While I felt for Gweenie in someway I didn't believe her. For a debut novel it was very interesting and I love the dialect and authentic Jamaican feel, something was just missing for me.
I decided to read Know My Name for BookOfCinz November read because I felt it beyond important.
I have no words. I was movedUpdated November 20, 2019.
I decided to read Know My Name for BookOfCinz November read because I felt it beyond important.
I have no words. I was moved to tears and anger so many times while reading this book. I don't know why in the year 2019 women are still fighting this battle. Chanel Miller is one brave woman, I can not even begin to imagine or put into word her bravery. I have so much to say, but I feel like its been said already by much more eloquent persons.
I do recommend EVERYONE especially men read this book. This required reading and I wish everyone who picks up this book learns from it and do their part.
The judge had given Brock something that would never be extended to me: empathy. Why this book is important....more
I remember reading Zadie Smith's NW and just not "getting it", even though I really wanted to. I have only heard great things about Zadie Smith and heI remember reading Zadie Smith's NW and just not "getting it", even though I really wanted to. I have only heard great things about Zadie Smith and her writing. I figured I should take another swing at it and Grand Union seemed to be a great option because it is a collection of short stories. I love short stories because this is a chance for the author to really show their range, this was not the case with this book.
I did not like Grand Union , there, I said it! I really wanted to like it because it is freaking Zadie Smith! Majority of the stories were misses for me. Of the 19 stories I really liked 4 and I would rate those four max 3.5 stars and I am being generous. The collection did not feel cohesive, not that it needs to be, but it felt so very all over the place and random. A lot was happening and nothing was happening at the same time.
I just did not like this collection, and I really wish I did. ...more
Trick Mirror is the perfect commentary on the twenty-first century- two thumbs up!
I devoured Jia Tolentino’s Trick Mirror I was blown away by the Trick Mirror is the perfect commentary on the twenty-first century- two thumbs up!
I devoured Jia Tolentino’s Trick Mirror I was blown away by the writing and how well thought out each essay is. It is clear that Tolentino’s fingers are on the pulse of today’s culture from her commentary on the use of the internet/social media, feminism, “difficult women”, the rise of “scams” and the bridal culture. As a Millennial Tolentino came for my neck (as the young people would put it) in most of her essays. A lot of what is being explored is not new but they are written in such an insightful and educational way. I love a Writer who is also a reader and from Tolentino’s references it is clear she reads (a lot). My only negative comment is that sometimes I feel as if the Author over explained things that are common knowledge. Other than that, these essays are fully researched, thought out, biting and I particularly liked that we get a history lesson in each of these essays.
There are ten essays in Trick Mirror while I really enjoyed all, my favorites were:
The I in the Internet This essay explores the current use of internet/social media and how it is basically turning us in a self serving generation. I cannot remember reading an essay that really gets to the truth of what the internet is doing to a majority of the population. Persons want an audience, they feel they deserve an audience for doing absolutely nothing. This took me out when Tolentino said “I’ve been thinking about five intersecting problems: first, how the internet is built to distend our sense of identity; second, how it encourages us to overvalue our opinions; third, how it maximizes our sense of opposition; fourth, how it cheapens our understanding of solidarity; and, finally, how it destroys our sense of scale.” This basically sums up exactly what the internet is doing to us. If you have to read only one essay in this collection- I would refer you to this one.
Always Be Optimizing This particular essay spoke to me cause… mi tyad. Women are constantly being held to a higher beauty standard, so much is expected of us- how we are to look, speak, dress, and present ourselves. There are so many advances in the beauty sector and how am I to keep up with all of these while having a full time job? I loved how particularly real this essay was, but it really spoke to me as a woman. “The ideal woman, in other words, is always optimizing. She takes advantage of technology, both in the way she broadcasts her image and in the meticulous improvement of that image itself. I mean…. RIGHT?!!!!
The Story of a Generation in Seven Scams If you know me, you KNOW I am here for the scam stories, particularly when they are laced with White Privilege. If you have been living under a rock and want to hear about some of the biggest scams of our generation you just need to read this essay. Of course my girl Elizabeth Holmes made an appearance as "A maniacally disciplined blonde with stressed-out hair …” EL. OH. EL. Seriously though, aside from the rise in scams, Tolentino gives us a historical look and the continued rise in this trend. I love that the author said It can be hard, of course, to draw a precise line between a scam and a product with a highly exaggerated sales pitch … RIGHT? Cause let’s be real Fyre Festival and Theranos sold the hell out of their product….
We Come from Old Virgina Rape culture, universities, the #MeTooMovement and journalism all rolled up into a must read essay.
I Thee Dread Of course this essay touched my feminist heart. I recommend you read this essay and then go read All The Rage . This essay really got to the core of how marriage and being a bride is marketed. I particularly loved getting the history lesson on a lot of these things got started and how they are now called “tradition”. I was H.E.R.E. for Tolentino’s rant on marriage and being a bride "starting from the idea that a man just proposes to a woman and she’s supposed to be just lying in wait for the moment he decides he’s ready to commit to a situation where he statistically benefits and she statistically becomes less happy than she would be if she was single, and then she’s the one who has to wear this tacky ring to signify male ownership, and she’s supposed to be excited about it…” I could not get enough of this essay- I was shaking my head in agreement for the entire read mi neck almost drop off. I suggest everyone reads this essay cause I learned so much and it really did widen my gaze this wedding industry.
If you haven’t guessed it already, I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of essays. A SOLID COLLECTION. I am going to call this book REQUIRED READING!...more
I remembering watching Esther Perel's TedTalk on infidelity and loving it so much even though I am not married or was ever in an affair. I started lisI remembering watching Esther Perel's TedTalk on infidelity and loving it so much even though I am not married or was ever in an affair. I started listening to her podcast Where Should We Begin? and I devoured the two seasons. I cannot get over real and important that podcast and this book is.
As Perel puts it, "this is not just a book about infidelity... I hope to engage you, the reader, in an honest, enlightened, and provocative exploration of modern relationships in their many variations. Enlightened I am. Perel really gave an insightful look into modern relationships not just marriage. I think everyone should read this book because there is something for everyone in this book- especially if you are considering marriage. I liked that Perel spoke about couples who get married without having a conversation about what fidelity looks like for them etc.
One thing that really stood out for me and a point I cannot shut up about is this Infidelity is a direct attack on one of our most important psychic structures: our memory of the past. It not only hijacks a couple’s hopes and plans but also draws a question mark over their history. If we can’t look back with any certainty and we can’t know what will happen tomorrow, where does that leave us?
You all know who you are. If you just look at yourself and listen to yourself, you know exactly who you are. And don't forget it.
Reading Olive, Ag You all know who you are. If you just look at yourself and listen to yourself, you know exactly who you are. And don't forget it.
Reading Olive, Again was like catching up with one of your favorite people. I found myself crying, laughing out loud, feeling sadness and empathy for most of the characters I met. I strongly suggest you read the first book Olive Kitteridge to get an understanding of who Olive is and the other characters who reside in Crosby, Maine.
What I loved most about this book is how human all the characters are- you feel for them in a genuine way and I think that is linked to how great a writer Strout is. I loved that Strout explored the theme of aging and ageism and how older persons sometimes feel overlooked. This theme really spoke to me on such a deep level because of how raw the characters were about their fears of dying, how lonely being old is, all their regrets, how they are treated by society and their children. I cannot remember reading a book that explores the theme of aging as beautifully as this book.
If you are a fan of Olive Kitteridge, prepared to go on a enjoyable ride, prepared to learn and have your heart break for the characters you meet. A well written, strong sequel- I could not put it down!...more
I finished reading Robert Iger’s “Ride of A Lifetime: Lessons Learned From 15 Year as CEO of Walt Disney Company” two days ago and I am still blown awI finished reading Robert Iger’s “Ride of A Lifetime: Lessons Learned From 15 Year as CEO of Walt Disney Company” two days ago and I am still blown away by the insights he shared and how much I have learned. If you are a CEO, Entrepreneur, Manager, in HR, part of a team or looking to learn about how you can advance in your current role, Robert Iger provides a roadmap and lessons that everyone can benefit from. As someone who loves learning about brands and how to tell a great brand story, getting a behind the scenes look into Walt Disney the brand was exhilarating.
Five key insights:
1. Robert Iger have worked for the same company for 45 years, he started out as a studio supervisor and is currently the 6th CEO to run the company since Walt founded it in 1923. Throughout the book Iger referenced how his career progressed and how we prepared himself for each opportunity that was presented to him. This really resonated with me because even though he was at a company for 45 years, he was able to show his growth, how he changed with the times and why he is and will continue to be an asset to Disney.
2. Iger made numerous mention of his Chief Communication Officer Zenia Mucha, he said “she always has the interests of the company at heart”. As someone who is in Marketing and Communications, hearing from the CEO of Walt Disney on how ways I can be more of an asset to an organization was impactful.
3. If you are in HR or will one day have the hard task of firing someone, Iger goes through step by step on how accomplish this difficult task.
4. Iger explores in-depth the principles that are necessary for true leadership, they included; Optimism, Courage, Focus, Decisiveness, Curiosity, Fairness, Thoughtfulness and Integrity. I admired the fact that curiosity made the list because one point really stuck with me was the need to innovate and in order to do this, you have to remain curious.
5. “Don’t be in the business of playing it safe. Be in the business of creating possibilities for greatness.”
This is definitely a book I will be recommending and re-reading in the future, it is packed with key lessons that everyone can learn from. I highly suggest you add it to the list of books you read to help with your development. ...more
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