2008 Woodie Awards
Jeffrey Sonnenfield
Erika Sawyer
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
On Monday, Jeff Sonnenfield gave an uplifting speech for a packed boardroom at the William H. Pitt Center on how to deal with corporate setbacks and disappointments.
Sonnenfield's presentation, which was hosted by the John F. Welch College of Business, focused on his most recent book. The book, titled Firing Back: How Great Leaders Rebound After Career Disasters, weighs the differences between people who were able to bounce back after corporate shortcomings and those who could not.
Sonnenfield is also the author of several leadership books including the highly applauded A Hero's Farewell and has written several scholarly articles. He is the senior associate dean for Executive Programs at Yale University's School of Management and frequently speaks to audiences of executives about corporate culture and strategic change. He has made appearances on several important news channels and in several publications.
During the lecture, Sonnenfield stressed the importance of "not to label[ing] ourselves as failures just because we trip upon the path of life."
"There are lots of young businesses that aren't going to make it, the world is a lot more volatile for your students who must understand that failure is a lesson and how to deal with disappointment," Sonnenfield.
He used the many traumas many executives have faced as examples along with situations cited in his book and recent interviews. The speech was juxtaposed with comic relief and clips from Jerry McGuire making it a very entertaining and light-hearted speech.
"Most people don't do anything wrong they just loose their footing," said Sonnenfield.
He said that Scott Fitzgerald was wrong when he said that there are no second acts in American lives.
"We are not predicted to disappear through our failings," Sonnenfield said.
Michelle Panella, senior, N.J., said that the speech was very uplifting.
"I think it eased some students' anxiety about entering into corporate culture," said Panella. "I especially liked how the speech was focused on the lessons failure can teach us, which is a positive message for anyone in any profession."
Towards the end of his speech, Sonnenfield gave a brief summary of his book. He summarized by splitting the body of his text into five "lessons" in failure. The first is to fight back; the second is using your connections and resources to fall back on or "recruiting others to battle;" the third is to regain your reputation; the fourth is proving that you still got it; and the last is understanding what your purpose is.
His many listeners praised him with their admiration as he openly gave advice to several audience members who approached him.
The speech was followed by a book signing, which gave listeners another chance to talk to Sonennfiled and to pick up a signed copy of his book Firing Back.
Many students seemed to leave the speech not only with Firing Back in hand but with peace of mind.
Sonnenfield's presentation, which was hosted by the John F. Welch College of Business, focused on his most recent book. The book, titled Firing Back: How Great Leaders Rebound After Career Disasters, weighs the differences between people who were able to bounce back after corporate shortcomings and those who could not.
Sonnenfield is also the author of several leadership books including the highly applauded A Hero's Farewell and has written several scholarly articles. He is the senior associate dean for Executive Programs at Yale University's School of Management and frequently speaks to audiences of executives about corporate culture and strategic change. He has made appearances on several important news channels and in several publications.
During the lecture, Sonnenfield stressed the importance of "not to label[ing] ourselves as failures just because we trip upon the path of life."
"There are lots of young businesses that aren't going to make it, the world is a lot more volatile for your students who must understand that failure is a lesson and how to deal with disappointment," Sonnenfield.
He used the many traumas many executives have faced as examples along with situations cited in his book and recent interviews. The speech was juxtaposed with comic relief and clips from Jerry McGuire making it a very entertaining and light-hearted speech.
"Most people don't do anything wrong they just loose their footing," said Sonnenfield.
He said that Scott Fitzgerald was wrong when he said that there are no second acts in American lives.
"We are not predicted to disappear through our failings," Sonnenfield said.
Michelle Panella, senior, N.J., said that the speech was very uplifting.
"I think it eased some students' anxiety about entering into corporate culture," said Panella. "I especially liked how the speech was focused on the lessons failure can teach us, which is a positive message for anyone in any profession."
Towards the end of his speech, Sonnenfield gave a brief summary of his book. He summarized by splitting the body of his text into five "lessons" in failure. The first is to fight back; the second is using your connections and resources to fall back on or "recruiting others to battle;" the third is to regain your reputation; the fourth is proving that you still got it; and the last is understanding what your purpose is.
His many listeners praised him with their admiration as he openly gave advice to several audience members who approached him.
The speech was followed by a book signing, which gave listeners another chance to talk to Sonennfiled and to pick up a signed copy of his book Firing Back.
Many students seemed to leave the speech not only with Firing Back in hand but with peace of mind.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
jeff
posted 4/20/07 @ 4:38 PM EST
You didn't spell my name correctly. First job of a reporter. I hope you bought a book because you would obviously benefit from its lessons.
Post a Comment