Books Strategize to Win: The New Way to Start Out, Step Up, Or Start Over in Your Career Book by Carla A. Harris

Strategize to Win is an actionable career strategy guide that empowers readers to successfully start, advance, or reinvent their careers in today’s dynamic work environment. Drawing from her experience as a Wall Street executive, Carla A. Harris delivers practical advice on formulating a clear career plan, building essential relationships, and navigating transitions with confidence.

Core Ideas

1. Strategic Career Planning

Set Clear Goals: Move beyond vague ambitions by defining specific, measurable career objectives. Identify exactly what you want to achieve, whether it’s a job title, skill mastery, or an industry impact.

Long-Term Vision and Short-Term Execution: Combine a broad career vision with concrete, immediate steps, such as gaining new skills, certifications, or undertaking leadership roles in professional associations. Use these as stepping stones to your larger aspirations.

2. Building Career Capital

Skills Development: Regularly upgrade your professional abilities to remain competitive and adaptable.

Relationship Networking: Actively engage in networking, join professional associations, and seek mentors or sponsors who can advocate for you. Women are especially encouraged to develop these connections rather than relying solely on job performance.

Strategic Communication: Learn to articulate your unique value proposition and effectively showcase your strengths to stand out in interviews and within organizations.

3. Stepping Up and Standing Out

Performance and Relationship Currency: Succeed by not only delivering great results (“performance currency”) but by also building connections and gaining endorsements (“relationship currency”).

Stakeholder Management: Recognize the importance of making allies at various levels, from peers to managers, and manage your reputation intentionally.

4. Navigating Career Transitions

Starting Out: Research roles, understand what employers want, and position yourself as an ideal candidate with targeted skills and preparation.

Stepping Up: Pursue roles or projects that fill critical skill gaps, increase your profile, and align with your goals.

Starting Over: Embrace change—whether voluntary or not—by reassessing your strengths and leveraging your experience to reposition yourself effectively for new opportunities.

Key Takeaways Table

Why Read Strategize to Win?

Offers step-by-step frameworks for career planning and execution.

Applies to all stages: launching, advancing, or reinventing your career.

Emphasizes practical, real-world advice for standing out and thriving in the workplace.

Equips readers with the mindset and tools needed for proactive, successful career navigation.

Strategize to Win is a concise, encouraging, and practical manual—ideal for professionals committed to managing their careers intentionally and effectively.

1 BOOK