The most reader-friendly aspects of the book are its structure and style. Rather than being written in an overly rigid or formal textbook manner, the book's brief chapters are easy to peruse and allow you to conveniently read up on what concerns or interests you most. Career management isn't an easy task, but finding solutions to roadblocks and challenges shouldn't be difficult either, and Otazo adroitly conveys numerous solutions through the book's easily accessible style.
She also makes the book relevant to readers of all stripes, from entry-level newbies to experienced CEOs. All have something to glean from this guide to career management and should carry it with them as a reference when they find themselves in need of a resolution.
Of course, all of this is dependent upon getting your foot in the door first, and this challenge Otazo examines thoroughly by explaining how to "look the part" and make those all-important good first impressions.
Much of the advice she offers is very practical, reassuring readers that their instincts are frequently right and that they have the power to craft the kind of careers they want. She also goes into the various causes behind workplace tension (you'll likely recall a few of these from your own experiences) and the best ways to combat professional ugliness: "Strong emotions of any kind, particularly negative ones, can provoke defensive behavior in others" and "[A]nger should be neither expressed publicly (for the sake of the working atmosphere) nor discussed while it is fresh."
Some of Otazo's advice can be construed as counterintuitive or as opposing conventional wisdom: in Kiss the Ring: Hierarchy Matters, she instructs workers to swallow their pride and dispense with negative feelings they may hold toward others in the workplace, especially the important ones whose impact on their careers can be a lasting one. It isn't sycophancy (concerns ought to be expressed, albeit privately and neutrally), but it is important to be sensitive toward seniority. Human egos are, after all, fragile, and the more powerful the individual, the more fragile the ego.
What's one thing Otazo says you should never tolerate in the workplace? Illegal dealings, especially the flagrant kind a la Enron and HealthSouth. When you find yourself in a situation where your actions could be construed as complicit in (or willfully ignorant of) corporate crime, it's time to leave—yesterday.
With over 25 years of experience with clients from various global industries, Otazo has the facts and experiences to back up her principles. If the only thing lacking in your career is guidance, this indispensable tome can serve as both reference and inspiration.
