Young Professional’s Guide to Success

by: Ryan Kohnen

Published by: Emerald Book Company

Review by Stewart L. Stokes

Ryan Kohnen knows his audience: members of “Generation A.D.D.” (attention deficit disorder). He admits he has a “short attention span,” and has written this book for people like himself. The book works. It’s well laid out and can be a quick read. Or, you can read more thoughtfully and identify for future reference the advice comments from the 77 CEOs and executives whom Kohnen quotes. I recommend the latter. His guests have much to say that is worth thinking about and acting upon. Consider them your personal consultants, an easy reach away.

The book’s target audience is young people in the early stages of their careers and “includes a variety of topics, pieces of advice, and stories concerning all facets of a young career and the personal life of a young professional.” Readers who no longer consider themselves “young,” however, will also relate to the experiences and observations described in the book and may even see themselves in some of the illustrations. I found myself wishing that the book had been available when I began my career many years ago.

I was fortunate to have had some savvy mentors and try to do “give back.” Chapter 8, “Find Mentors and Create Fans,” is an excellent overview of the mentoring experience and really resonated with me.

The book contains brief blurbs describing “Great Mistakes” and “Career Killers.” Posting unprofessional prose and pictures on social networking sites is a good example of a behavior that could qualify as both. Several “Great Mistakes” relate to excessive ego, a condition that has gotten too many professionals of all ages into career trouble.

I’ll close with this insightful comment by one of the book’s CEO contributors (who did not know the source):

Be mindful of your thoughts, for they become your words.

Be choiceful of your words, for they become your actions.

Be purposeful in your actions, for they become your reputation.

Be protective of your reputation, for it becomes your legacy.

For me, this comment says it all.

Armchair Interviews says: Some good advise, regardless where you are in your career.