key takeaways
- “All the Cool Girls Get Fired” advises readers how to turn losing their job into a great comeback.
- Laura Brown, former editor-in-chief of “InStyle” magazine, and Christina O’Neill, former editor-in-chief of “WSJ” magazine, draw on their personal experiences and advice from people like Oprah Winfrey.
- The idea for the book came from a viral Instagram posted by Brown after he and O’Neill lost their jobs.
We work hard – sometimes we get excited by the results, and sometimes we get downright disappointed. That’s always fun, isn’t it?
on this week how to achieve successI spoke with laura brownwho was the editor in chief in style Magazine…until she wasn’t. And Christina O’Neillwho was the editor in chief WSJ Magazine…until she wasn’t there either. As he puts it so clearly in his incredible book, All the cool girls are firedThey were “crap” (their words, not mine). But he believes it’s time to stop showing off at the end of a job and see it as an opportunity to start the next big thing in your professional life. No more “I’ve decided to spend more time with my family” BS messages – assume you’re fired, and move on.
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That perspective certainly worked for them — Brown founded LB Media and is chairman of (RED)’s Creative Council, and O’Neill is the principal and editor in chief of Sotheby’s Media. sotheby’s magazineMindset has also worked for several other famous fire-ees who they spoke to for the book, including Lisa Kudrow, Jamie Lee Curtis, Oprah Winfrey, Carol Burnett, and Katie Couric.
Watch our conversation above or listen here, and check out some of Brown and O’Neal’s key takeaways from changing your thinking, which may seem like the worst thing to happen at the moment, but could lead to bigger and better things in the long run.
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Relax, but don’t retreat
“When someone says, ‘Hey, do you have a second?’ And pulls you into an office, and you realize you’re going to be in that office for the last time, it’s a kick in the teeth,” Brown shares.
She says the initial shock helped her: “I think shock is a shield. Shock can really protect you. I went to a big event the day after I got fired, and that shock took ownership.” Brown says she quickly realized that “my value doesn’t end with my job. You have your experience; don’t let these people take it away from you.”
O’Neill adds, “It’s okay to wallow, but don’t keep rolling forever. Rest, but don’t back out.” She advises not to rush the processing process. “If you’re good at what you do, you’ll get by again. But you have to listen to your rhythm.”
take away: Take all the time you need to absorb the shock of being fired – if you’re good at what you do, you’ll be in demand sooner than you think.
RELATED: Celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern says social media is ruining food
create your own story
As you begin the search for your new job, O’Neill suggests sharing your story with people you know. “We recommend dipping your toes in. Before rushing into the completely unknown, start small with familiar things. You have to be able to talk about it — and that requires conditioning. You don’t want every meeting to end with tears or seem bitter.”
Brown jumps in: “Embrace it! Something really unexpected can happen when you’re honest about what happened. I’ve had people from industries I never thought about reach out to me. It shows that your story is more relevant than you think.”
take away: Practice saying what really happened – your honesty will open unexpected doors.
Your next step doesn’t have to be huge
“The best advice we got from experts was to go for the ‘good’ job before the ‘dream’ job,” says Brown. “Get your mojo back and practice a little bit before the big leap. Because after getting hit over the head with an anvil, your confidence is shaken. You need to get it back through practice and engagement, and then when you go for those interviews, you can stand a little higher.”
O’Neill shared how this happened in his life: “I now work at Sotheby’s, an auction house. I never thought I’d be there, but some of the skills are transferable. Seeing a corner that wasn’t even there a month ago – suddenly, it’s a whole new thrill.”
take away: Get ready with small opportunities so that when the big dream comes, you’ll be ready.
About this how to achieve success
each episode of how to achieve success Shares the inspiring, entertaining, and unexpected journeys that influential leaders in business, arts, and sports took on their way to becoming household names. It’s a reminder that behind every great career, there’s a person who perseveres in the face of self-doubt, failure, and everything in between.
key takeaways
- “All the Cool Girls Get Fired” advises readers how to turn losing their job into a great comeback.
- Laura Brown, former editor-in-chief of “InStyle” magazine, and Christina O’Neill, former editor-in-chief of “WSJ” magazine, draw on their personal experiences and advice from people like Oprah Winfrey.
- The idea for the book came from a viral Instagram posted by Brown after he and O’Neill lost their jobs.
We work hard – sometimes we get excited by the results, and sometimes we get downright disappointed. That’s always fun, isn’t it?
on this week how to achieve successI spoke with laura brownwho was the editor in chief in style Magazine…until she wasn’t. And Christina O’Neillwho was the editor in chief WSJ Magazine…until she wasn’t there either. As he puts it so clearly in his incredible book, All the cool girls are firedThey were “crap” (their words, not mine). But he believes it’s time to stop showing off at the end of a job and see it as an opportunity to start the next big thing in your professional life. No more “I’ve decided to spend more time with my family” BS messages – assume you’re fired, and move on.
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