Lurking for a good read, the MouthSoap came across the latest buzzing memoir rooted in the entertainment industry. Debra Lee, the former BET Networks chief executive, led the Viacom media company for 13 years before stepping down in 2018. Prior to her role as CEO, the Harvard Law graduate served in the capacity of in-house general counsel starting at the age of 32. If there is anyone who has the tea, it would be Ms. Debra Lee.
Despite her book, I Am Debra Lee, having less than 250 pages, the 10-chapter memoir is packed with invaluable stories and lessons that can give insight to executives-in-the-making. Of course, social media and entertainment bloggers may run with the more juicier tidbits of the book, such as Lee’s relationship with BET founder Robert Johnson or her moment of enforcing a pro-choice decision upon being accepted into Harvard.
Those stories lend to the humanizing of Lee, who may often be seen in a different light because of her status, but it’s the transparent stories about her rise up the corporate ladder that will speak to people of color, especially women, that are seeking upward mobility in the industries of law, business, and entertainment.
In this multi-part MouthSoap Book Lurking series, the MouthSoap team hashes out seven empowering lessons from I Am Debra Lee.
Lesson 7: Have Passion For What You Do
“When you marry what you love with what you do, the work (because it is work) doesn’t get easier, it gets lighter. Take a breath, dig deep, and decide what excites you. Then point your career towards it. Folks say that if you love what you do then you’ll never work a day in your life. Well, that’s not entirely true. Oh, you’ll work all right. In fact, you’ll probably work harder than you ever have before. But the blood, sweat, and tears will feel like a calling, not a chore. You’ll be committed to something greater.”
Lesson 6: Mentors Can Come In Many Forms
Lee makes it very clear that she did not have women mentors throughout her career, something she longed for but at that time, it was rare for women to hold positions of power in the arenas she frequented. Oftentimes, she had to rely on unconventional mentors to guide her.
“…Not all mentors come in the package you’d expect. They don’t all encourage with kind words and a shoulder to cry on. Some of the best teach you what to steer clear of as opposed to what to run toward.”
Lesson 5: Let Your Work Ethic Earn Your Respect
“…A fact of leadership that rarely gets talked about. The promotion is just the starting line. Your title doesn’t immediately confer respect, and it doesn’t come with clear instructions, especially for female senior executives who unfortunately have fewer footsteps to follow. Learning the hard way for us sometimes is the only way.”
Lesson 4: Take Accountability For Your Choices
Lee on her challenge of transitioning BET Networks from programming based on music and films, which required licensing deals, to original programming that would include scripted and unscripted content.
“Whatever you do, own it. Because the consequences — good or bad — are yours and yours alone.”
Lesson 3: Criticism (Feedback) Is Part Of The Journey
Lee’s comments regarding being left out to dry by rappers who were being protested for their irresponsible music videos broadcasted on BET.
“One of the biggest lessons I learned from this period of my life…is that change takes time, and you have to be committed to the ride, not just the finish line. And because of that, you have to be ready for the criticism.”
“Whether you’re rebuilding a brand or creating something entirely new, you can’t stop what you’re doing to appease the critics because there will always be critics…Good leaders take their consumers’ feedback to heart, but you can’t let it consume you.”
Lesson 2: If You Don’t Stand Up For Yourself, Nobody Else Will
Believe it or not, Lee was very timid when it came to public speaking. The thought of it would induce anxiety and cause her to tremor. Not only that, she was addicted to being too nice, and some people would take her kindness as weakness. She reflects:
“…It was at that point in my tenure as CEO that I realized playing small or nice wasn’t going to cut it. Win or lose, as the head of the company it was all on me.”
Lesson 1: A Sponsor Can Take You A Long Way
“Good advice is one thing, a great thing. Mentors are necessary for that reason alone. But you can’t stop there if you want to truly climb the ladder in your field. You must also have a sponsor. They can speak your name in the halls of power, making sure it echoes in all the right corners.”
Stay tuned for the second part of the MouthSoap Book Lurking series on the memoir I Am Debra Lee, now available at Legacy Lit Books, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.
