Bumblebees Fly Anyway: Defying the Odds at Work and Home

When a baby girl was born to an unmarried, crippled, teenage African American mother in 1941, no one would have predicted she would end up as a successful CEO of her own company. But that is precisely the life story told by Wells with an assist from freelancer Winebrenner. In relating it, she includes many of the motivational dicta she uses in addressing corporate groups. Having served as everything from mailroom gofer to vice-president of a large bank, Wells can offer advice to both bosses and workers. She urges each individual to discover the sameness of all humankind and to help empower others by making them feel appreciated, valued and important. To succeed, she opines, a person needs passion, a mission and a vision, while a leader must combine the best features of a coach and a guide. The book offers many more suggestions about conduct on the job and should help strivers in the workplace. Photos not seen by PW. 25,000 first printing; author tour. (Jan.)