The Power Book: 200 Ways to Make Power Work for You

Entrepreneur and business strategist Herceg (The Seven Myths and Seven Realities of Generation X) offers a cheerful guide to effective work and personal encounters. Herceg takes on “the good kind of power,” harnessing good sense and upstanding behavior to build your own reputation and strength. The book consists of 200 “Power Plays”—tools that will help us achieve what we want, and they are explained using examples from the author’s career. These tools cover the personal/relational (“talk about them instead of you”) and the professional (“Speak up in the meeting, not after it”). The presentation is nonlinear and conversational, inviting the reader to absorb a few tips a day as a self-improvement plan. Though the advice covers both work and play, all tend toward simply doing the right thing, acting like an upstanding person, and helping others do better (“give every employee a chance to blossom”). Ultimately, Herceg describes a trustworthy, well-respected person who does right by others, works hard, and behaves with dignity. Herceg’s humorous touches (“always forgive your enemies because nothing annoys them more”) and solid guidance make this a useful devotional for self-improvers. As she writes: “Next time you find yourself with power in your hands, no matter how big or small, try to let it be the good kind.” (May)