I have a few reviews I have to catch up on (The Paris Wife and a few others) but I have to say all my girlfriends must go out and buy Tina Fey's book. It not only was hysterical, it was insightful and rung so true to me as a professional and as a Mother. Her spin is a bit heavier on the "woman in a man's work world" side that I can relate to, but it was nevertheless EXCELLENT.
I have been fortunate enough to enter not only a family, but an industry and company that has shown me zero reason to feel inferior as a woman. Tina on the other hand was breaking into an industry that was heavily dominated by men, and I have to say, the way she navigated those waters and the lessons she learned are shared in a completely universal way.
I found myself nodding and cracking up throughout. The story was part a coming of age story of an awkward nerd who you immediately adore, and part a story of an amazing professional kicking ass and taking names in a very tough industry. You are rooting for her to win from the first sentence.
I could relate to nearly everything she said about how to be a solid contributor to society, a success in the work force, and the guilt that comes along with being a working mother. She makes no excuses, she doesn't sugar coat, and best of all, she doesn't apologize. I have a new found crush on her.
The excerpt below is one of my favorite parts of the book wrt how it relates to the work place. And I have reminded myself daily to be the Yes, AND girl. It sounds sort of cheesey and self-helpish I know, but it is so very very true.
From Bossypants:
"For example, the first rule of improvisation is to agree. “Always agree and SAY YES.” When working with a partner and that person says something, you need to agree with their premise and move it forward to advance the scene. Disagreement grinds everything to a halt.
“Now obviously in real life you’re not always going to agree with everything everyone says. But the Rule of Agreement reminds you to ‘respect what your partner has created’ and to at least start from an open-minded place. Start with a YES and see where that takes you. As an improviser, I always find it jarring when I meet someone in real life whose first answer is no.”
The second rule is not only to say yes, but YES, AND… Agree, and add something of your own. “To me, YES, AND means don’t be afraid to contribute. It’s your responsibility to contribute. Always make sure you’re adding something to the discussion. Your initiations are worthwhile.”
Make statements. “Whatever the problem, be a part of the solution. Don’t just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles. We’ve all worked with that person. That person is a drag.”
Lately there has been a trend where women and men both accuse women and girls of speaking in apologetic questions and Fey points it out as well. “No one wants to go to a doctor who says, ‘I’m going to be your surgeon? I’m here to talk to you about your procedure?…Make statements with your actions and your voice.”
The last rule? “THERE ARE NO MISTAKES, only opportunities. If I start a scene as what I think is very clearly a cop riding a bicycle, but you think I am a hamster in a hamster wheel, guess what? Now I’m a hamster in a hamster wheel. I’m not going to stop everything to explain that it was really supposed to be a bike…In improv there are no mistakes, only beautiful, happy accidents.”
Go buy it, read it, and laugh.
