A valuable toolkit for professionals who feel like outsiders in the workplace.
A motivational and empowering guide for workplace success.
In this professional development book, Chee addresses the challenges faced by those who are the “Only” in their professions, whether that be due to race, gender, sexual preference, culture, or other identifiers. (The author stresses that the “Only” marker can be a source of strength rather than a liability.) Chee offers readers a guide for making their “Only” work for them through five principles. The first, “Own Your Opportunity,” encourages readers to recognize and seize available opportunities. The author acknowledges that external factors (like discrimination) and internal factors (including limiting beliefs, negative self-talk, and perfectionism) may prevent “Onlys” from pursuing their dreams or demanding what they’re worth. Practicing gratitude and countering negative thoughts with positive ones are among the suggestions Chee makes to help readers shift their perspectives. Principle two, “Own Your Power,” reminds readers that they already have what they need to succeed and encourages them to be authentic. (Celebrating one’s wins is important because it feels good and helps rewire the brain, per the author). “Own Your Voice,” the third principle, focuses on speaking up and believing that what one says matters. The fourth principle, “Own Your Communication,” stresses connection with one’s audience, which must feel both seen and heard; Chee asserts that knowing an audience’s demographics, needs, expectations, values, and pain points can help one clarify and amplify the right message. The final principle, “Own Your Future,” begins with shifting one’s mindset from scarcity to abundance. The author cautions against overwork as a way to validate one’s worth, and recommends identifying priorities and values and taking action toward honoring them. (Guarding one’s energy, trusting intuition, and limiting exposure to energy-draining information are other ways to manifest a brighter future.) Chee concludes with an inspirational message: “You have the power. You’ve had it all along. And now all you have to do is step into it.”
With an uplifting tone, Chee provides a clear roadmap for embracing one’s uniqueness, overcoming limitations, and creating positive change for “Onlys” and others. Her relatable stories about navigating the television broadcasting industry and finding success as a Chinese American news anchor and reporter will endear her to readers. She discusses the controversial concepts of “Imposter syndrome” and “code-switching,” offering new, less judgmental interpretations for each. Reframing is among Chee’s strengths—on shifting from fear to power, she writes, “What if I told you that feeling wasn’t fear but just energy? This energy is natural when you are about to do something big. It’s your engine revving up for greatness.” The author offers many introspective exercises to help readers understand themselves better; one activity includes side-by-side lists from which readers select four adjectives to define how they show up at work currently and how they would like to show up instead. Additionally, she provides simple, concrete exercises like “box breathing,” shaking one’s body, and humming to help the nervous system calm down. Chee also reassuringly reminds readers that they should give thanks to old patterns while giving themselves permission to change.
A valuable toolkit for professionals who feel like outsiders in the workplace.Pub Date: March 4, 2025
ISBN: 9781646871704
Page Count: 250
Publisher: Ideapress Publishing
Review Posted Online: Feb. 6, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
An uplifting ode to the power of taking small steps to make big changes.
Manbeck offers direction for life’s journeys in his children’s book debut.
Using just one or two pithy sentences per page, the text encourages readers to bravely forge their own paths in the world. Whatever one hopes to accomplish or whatever one’s destination in life, the starting point is “here,” a point of view that suggests that there is power and wisdom in embracing the present moment. Manbeck assures readers that “you can go anywhere!” and includes all-caps imperatives on almost every double-page spread: “Begin”; “Take your time”; “Keep going”; “Be patient”; etc. A major thrust of the narrative is the futility of comparing oneself to others since every person is unique and there is no one-size-fits-all formula for how life should unfold. The whimsical illustrations, rendered in gouache and mixed media with digital editing, show sprightly children and their childlike anthropomorphic animal companions romping on giant fantastical play structures that recall Rube Goldberg machines. Some spreads feature a montage of the characters adventurously exploring a range of fun activities: butterfly watching, rollerblading, riding a penny-farthing, etc. Flowers and butterflies—with their associated meanings of transformation, hope, courage, success, and new beginnings—are used liberally as motifs throughout the colorful artwork. The characters have various skin tones, and one of them uses a wheelchair. Many wear party hats, conveying a mood of celebration; indeed, this book would make a good baby-shower or graduation gift.
An uplifting ode to the power of taking small steps to make big changes. (Gift book. 0-5, adult)Pub Date: May 10, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-79721-010-0
Page Count: 36
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An engaging, rousing study of Christian manhood with a few knotty digressions.
A debut guide offers a portrait of the nature—and obligations—of modern Christian masculinity.
Clubb takes as the springboard for his book a modern meaning of the word “Jack,” as a synonym for an all-around likable and trustworthy man, compassionate, caring, and completely dependable. He extends this general term into the realm of modern Christianity. “I see it,” he writes, “as an apt moniker for a spiritually healthy and emotionally intelligent man.” Throughout the work, the author directly tackles the challenges and pitfalls of contemporary Christianity as it’s experienced by men. “Real men give God control of their private, inner, and public spiritual lives by making prayer, personal Bible study, and fellowship priorities in their lives,” he writes. “And a real man isn’t afraid of connecting with other men for mutual support and accountability.” Unfortunately, Clubb decides to briefly outline what he refers to as reasons to trust the Bible, all of which are questionable. He claims the Bible provides “extensive detailed prophecies relating to the rise and fall of individuals and empires … with incredible accuracy”; Noah’s Ark was found on Mount Ararat; and the Bible was “written by eyewitnesses.” Fortunately, these digressions are limited. The bulk of the book is devoted to the author’s captivating meditations and advice to his (presumably exclusively male) readers about how the duties of their gender are reflected in the Bible. The author is an animated and very readable guide to everything from the story of King David to the Epistles of St. Paul. He skillfully intersperses these explorations with vivid stories from his own walk of faith.
An engaging, rousing study of Christian manhood with a few knotty digressions.Pub Date: Dec. 10, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-973680-39-0
Page Count: 230
Publisher: Westbow Press
Review Posted Online: June 1, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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