Be Your Own Mentor: Strategies from Top Women on the Secrets of Success

Next in line in my reviews of Success Literature, I present Be Your Own Mentor, by Sheila Wellington and Catalyst.

I've been aware of the work of Catalyst for a long while now, and I found this book by browsing the list of Resources listed on their webpage. For those of you not familiar with their work, Catalyst is a group that collects data relevant to women's advancement in the workplace. This includes reports on women-friendly places to work, trends for women in executive positions, and much more.

Be Your Own Mentor is a wonderful book that discusses all angles of the professional obstacles that women face. It opens with a general description of women in the workplace, such as the statistics of women in the workforce, and common myths and misconceptions held by women and by men about women in the workplace. From there, it moves on to cover strategic career planning, work style, work and life issues, networking, and the pros and cons of line vs. staff jobs.

What makes this book particularly useful is the input added to each topic by working women, CEOs, and a group of workforce women pioneers. These verbatim quotes come from focus groups and surveys by Catalyst, and are more specific that the average Success Lit advice. Additionally, there is the added bonus of facts and figures also from Catalyst's research archives.

The contributions from the Pioneers are particularly helpful, and these women span industries as diverse as law, publishing, jewelry design, energy management and academia. They share personal victories and discuss their tackling of particular challenges. And in the last chapter, they each impart what they consider to be their most crucial advice for any women looking to move ahead. They openly discuss how they asked for advancement, managed their family life, and what changes they helped to make for those who came after them.

One downside to this book is the fact that it is now seven years old, and the facts and figures are perhaps out of date (I certainly hope there are more women in the Fortune 500 now). The advice in the book has held up better than some of the pioneers; certainly Carly Fiorina's career has taken a downturn since 2001.

The audience for this book is a little more experienced than those imagined for New Girl on the Job. It does not address much in the way of searching for a job, or selecting a career, and is not directed toward the recent graduate. On the other hand, it assumes that you can be successful with or without an MBA, or other graduate degree, and gives an excellent roadmap for establishing a long term career.

I bought the book "Be Your Own Mentor" during a transitional time in my career. The advice offered has provided me with many great ideas on advancing my career. I thought the get ahead basics were especially helpful. As I was looking for a new position, the job search advice helped me to form opinions on how this new position could be a stepping stone to my future. It urged me to take a look at my career as a progression of jobs on my resume. Additionally, Sheila Wllington offered advice that I had not read in traditional job search books. I think this book is helpful to women at all stages of their career whether just starting out or ready for a mid-career change. If you think you need some advice from successful women and need some ideas on how to further your career I highly recommend this book.

I wish this book had been around when I was just starting out in business. I would be a lot better off today if I had gotten the great advice it gives out. Much of the writing is based on research done at Catalyst, so is fact-based. Shelia Wellington uses her vast experience and connections to give a road map for success for women in the business world. Many nuggets of advice from women who have reached the highest levels in their careers. A must read.

Being your own mentor is a critical concept and certainly includes mastering the art of networking. But a good self-mentoring plan must also include achieving corporate and community visibility. To really take charge of your career there is no substitute for creating a strategic 'personal' publicity plan. Your boss won't do it, and neither will your mentor. It is up to YOU. People have to know who you are, what you stand for, and why they should hire you, promote you, or do business with you. That's really taking charge of your career.

I wish I'd had Be Your Own Mentor years ago. It's chock-full of what to do when you're trying to get ahead at work, with do's and don'ts I've not heard anywhere else. It explains the kinds of jobs that will take you to the top and tells you which won't. And something else it does that you can't get elsewhere: women at the top (like Carly Fiorina of Hewlett Packard) tell you what to do when specific problems arise at work -- like how to land an assignment you want, or what to do when you meet bias, or how to get people who can help you on your side. Includes useful tips on building credibility and taking charge of how you're perceived, or for getting out of a dead end situation with a difficult boss, plus sensible advice about dealing with guilt as you're balancing personal life and work. You gain access to many wise women -- the older sisters everyone needs, who genuinely want to help you reach your goals. My son says most of the career tips will work for him, too, but women especially can use this practical, smart advice book by Spence and Wellington all through their careers.