Black Faces in White Places: 10 Game-Changing Strategies to Achieve Success and Find Greatness

Today's review is on Randal Pinkett's and Jeffrey Robinson's "Black Faces in White Places: 10 Game-Changing Strategies to Achieve Success and Find Greatness".  Wow, I couldn't have finished this book at a more perfect time in my life.  This book basically provides a holistic approach to mastering and redefining the game.  In this case, the game is the world of work or career or professional life. The authors speak specifically about being a Black person in a society that is dominated by our White counterparts.  Instead of following the motto of "work twice as hard", the authors focus is on working smarter.  Listed below are the strategies and some memorable quotes/paraphrases about them:

Strategy 1: Establish a Strong Identity and Purpose
One cannot really be successful in any aspect of their life without a clear understanding of who they are as a person, and how they fit within their surroundings.  As a Black person its important to know ones history and how that impacts their identity.  Purpose.  Why are you here? In what way do you want to make an impact? These are important questions that we must ask ourselves when considering success. The authors also reflect on the "Seven Kwanzaa Principles" as a guide for Black folks to reflect on their identity and purpose.  It inspired me to take Kwanzaa a bit more seriously, and I am strongly considering celebrating this year.

Strategy 2: Obtain Broad Exposure
This portion talks about moving beyond your comfort zone.  Pushing yourself to identify areas for growth.  When we acknowledge the areas in which we need to grow, we help to expose ourselves to new ideas and ways of thinking.  This helps to expand our world views and impact how we see ourselves and how we progress through life. 
"Cultivate a greater appreciation of yourself and others" 
"Expand your worldview"
"Build cultural capital"

Strategy 3: Demonstrate Excellence
I think this pretty much explains itself.  We want to work to be the best at what we do. In this portion the authors introduce the "Diamond of Excellence". The four facets are:
"Gifts (the talents and abilities you naturally possess)"
"Passion (the interests and motivations you naturally possess)"
"Discipline (the time, effort, and hard work you are willing to put forth)"
"Beliefs (the translation of your thoughts into empowering actions and outcomes)"

Strategy 4: Build Diverse and Solid Relationships
Now, we all know how important it is to build a network.  We do this all the time.  There is a famous saying "its not what you know, its who you know"...someone took this a step further and said "its not who you know, its who knows you!!".  All the above are true.  In building and creating your network, you must do this intentionally.  Take some time and examine who is in your networks: personal and professional.  You want to identify gaps.  You want to eliminate those who does not add to your progress and/or your personal agenda.

Strategy 5: Seek the Wisdom of Others
"Wisdom is knowledge combined with good judgement." We cannot do this alone.  And why should we? We have so many people before us who has walked similar paths on their own journey for success. Don't be afraid to fail. That type of fear first limits your exposure.  Also, if you only tried what you were successful at, how would you ever grow? This portion talks a lot about having different types of mentors in your life.  From those who can help guide you, to someone you see as a peer, to someone who can help advance your career, to someone you may consider a role model. Diversify your avenues of gaining wisdom!

Strategy 6: Find Strength in Numbers
This strategy focuses on the power of "group relationships".  At different times in our lives, we may or may not be apart of a group.  These groups can help us in our growth both personally and professionally. As we get older, we want to focus more on formal group affiliations that can help build "social capital". Here are some type of group affiliations one may consider:
Children & Families  -  Grassroots/Community - Alumni/Fraternity/Sorority - Professional/Industry
Affinity Groups - Religious - Political

Strategy 7: Think and Act Intrapreneurially
This strategy definitely presented me with a different mindset about what it means to be an "employee." In what way can we think like an entrepreneur while in the workplace.  In what way can we effect and impact change.  The authors present "The Three F's: Fight, Flight, or Forgo". And if this didn't speak to Raven Willoughby lol.  When an issue arise in the workplace, you must evaluate how you react to the situation.  All issues are not worth fighting for (something I am definitely learning).  We must be strategic in how we handle issues because we must remain mindful of the long-term goals.  Any position in the workplace, is a stepping stone to move to the next.  So be mindful, and think strategically, and evaluate the landscape to know how to move ahead.

Strategy 8: Think and Act Entrepreneurially
Pinkett and Robinson truly drove it home with this one.  It really help me to think about in what ways can I help to advance the social/economic advancement of Black folks.  One of the answers is to institute wealth in the community.  Wealth creation can be down in different ways: business owner, investor, self-employment.  I started to think about what wealth am I building for myself? What wealth am I building for my family? What wealth am I building for my community?

"the entrepreneurial mindset of passion, creativity, resourcefulness, courage, and resilience"

Strategy 9: Synergize and Reach Scale
As you are working to build, create, brand yourself basically, you want all these things to work in harmony.  We want to be reflective in our steps and ensure that things are coming together and working together.  We also want to reach scale. We want our efforts to extend beyond ourselves and our networks and spill over into the community at large. 

"we must create systems that address our social and economic concerns in a scalable way"

Strategy 10: Give back Generously"
"Life is temporary; legacy is eternal". In all of this hard work of doing for yourself, do not forget about others.  The overall goal for the Black agenda is to build yourself, while also working to build the collective.  

"what we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal"