F.U.C.K My Corporate American Job!

By Misha Dameron

In "F.U.C.K - My Corporate American Job," the thought-provoking book authored by Misha Dameron, readers are invited into a compelling narrative that unveils the complex yet ironic dynamics of her American corporate job. Dameron fearlessly exposes the harsh realities of her workplace, where she encountered bullying bosses and faced di

• Language: English
• Publisher: US Ghost Writing
• Release date: Sep 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088097083

Book preview

F.U.C.K My Corporate American Job!

By

Misha Dameron

Copyright © 2023

All Rights Reserved

Acknowledgement

I first want to start off by saying thank God for giving me the strength, resilience, courage, voice, and endurance to not only write this book but to survive the circumstances I went through in order to have the story to write this book. When you survive anxiety, depression, and so many other areas of life, it is worth celebrating in every aspect. When situations were supposed to break you but instead built you up, it is worth celebrating. I want to thank God for showing me the way. I want to thank God for giving me patience. I want to thank God for keeping my heart pure and genuine through darkness and gloom.

I want to thank my family for standing by my side. (My beautiful children, my daughter Lannea and my two sons Landon and Logan). Trust me, there were many situations where they were my support system. Thanks to my family for allowing me and helping me find my voice and not only speaking up for myself but also speaking up for others in the workplace, where many choose to stay silent for financial purposes. Even though we talk about not bringing work home, I want to thank my family for always allowing me to bring my work home, in moderation, of course. Thank you for always having my back and encouraging me to keep going. Thank you for allowing our home to be a safe haven to express myself, regroup, and return stronger every day. In the world that sometimes does not appreciate the gift that we have to offer.

I want to thank my publishing (add name) team, my editors (add name), and my scriptures (add name). Because of you guys, writing this book was not as stressful and gut wrenching as it could have been! I want to thank you guys for working around the clock for me. Thank you all for seeing my vision and helping me tell my story. I want to thank my book sponsor; this wouldn't have happened without you.

I want to thank my mentor, Nancy Korsah. You have a heart made of gold! You're one of the smartest women I know, and you are literally a jack of all trades. I love you to the moon and back! You are the Michelle Obama of Minnesota! 

I would like to thank my 1% better execution speaker mentor, Keyon Clinton! He took me under his wing and showed me the way in the speaker arena. Thank you for believing in me and for believing in my story! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story on stages across the world.

I want to take the time to thank all my employees! Who works relentlessly to ensure business as usual when I go off on life's little journeys? And in the words of Cardi B, I want to thank my haters, bullies, and saboteurs in the workplace. Trust me, without you guys, I wouldn't be where I am today! This book wouldn't exist!

About the Author

Allow me to reintroduce myself!

Misha Dameron is the CEO and founder of Dameron Consulting Group, an organization and a leading consulting firm that specializes in transforming toxic work environments into healthy, inclusive, and productive corporate cultures. With a deep passion for fostering positive change in the corporate world, Misha has built an esteemed reputation as a trusted advisor and coach to businesses and entrepreneurs.

Misha Dameron brings a wealth of experience to her role as CEO and founder of Dameron Consulting Group. She has a strong background in organizational development, human resources, and leadership coaching and has worked with numerous companies across various industries to help them improve their workplace cultures and create more inclusive and positive environments for their employees.

Misha is a certified DEI and Human Rights Consultant, who became a 40 under 40 recipient in March 2023. Misha has also been recognized internationally as a consultant and entrepreneur. Earning the award of Women Empowerment Entrepreneur Award that will be awarded to her on July 10th of 2023 in Dubai. Misha is also the first African American female to be awarded this title. As an accomplished serial entrepreneur Misha also double majored as a Chef and a Baking & Pastry Chef in 2007. After retiring from Corporate America in 2021 at age 36, Misha became a published author in 2022. She is currently working on book number two. That same year she began her public speaking career. Speaking at universities, high schools, corporate events, charity events, Expos, Galas. Misha has appeared on a number of TV shows and podcasts. All while pursuing her degree, Misha became certified as a CWEP class of 2022, and an officiant in September 2022.

Misha continues her service in the community by being an upstanding philanthropist. She donates and gives her time to organizations such as Black Business Enterprise, Forbes Black, UN, Bata Lambda Pis Sorority Incorporated pledging class of 2004, Women Elevating Women, NAACP, and Ladies of Futurity Incorporated where she also serves as a board member.

Thanks to my amazing mentors Nancy Korsah and Keyon Clinton. To my phenomenal team Maria, Judy, Janice and Aide I couldn't accomplish all this without you guys!! It truly takes a village.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgement

About the Author

Chapter One

Simple Beginnings

Chapter 2

The Reality of the Job World

Chapter 3

Managing Black Identity

Chapter 4

Black Leaders Shaping History Today

Chapter 5

Authentic Leadership

Chapter 6

Critical Thinking

Chapter 7

Make Your Voice Heard

Chapter 8

Active Listening

Chapter 9

Giving & Receiving Feedback

Chapter 10

Leading Teams with Courage and Competence

Chapter 11

Expanding Your Network

Chapter 12

DEI & Human Rights Advocacy

Chapter 13

Setting Leadership KPIs

Chapter 14

Refining Your Development Plan

Chapter 15

Faking Unity & Communicating Kindly

Chapter One

Simple Beginnings

The corporate world of America could be summarized in two words: land mines. Whatever field you’re in, I can guarantee that you’ll be walking on eggshells more than you will be doing what you’re supposed to be doing. Everyone is keen on making it to the top, and they will not think twice about who they want to stab in the back. The vibe is cutthroat, and if you’re not one step ahead, you’re definitely going to fall three steps back.

That’s the scary reality of the world, but I ought to ask you this: does that mean you decide to stay away? Call it quits? Give up before even trying. Hell to the no! There are bullies everywhere, in different shapes, sizes, and forms, but that should never be a reason for you to stop following your dreams. When climbing a mountain, there are strong winds, hard, jagged rocks, and constant chances of injuries, but even then, people make it to the summit. That feeling achieved is always worth the effort. The same is true of the dream you want to achieve. I had a dream, and I endured many hardships to get where I am today. In a world of so much trouble, allow me to be your helping hand. In this book, I’ve compiled a series of lessons that I learned during my time in the culinary field and the many other jobs I worked at. It was bitter work, and things would get ugly plenty of times, but I hope rather than discourage you, it encourages you to find bravery within and apply yourself in the corporate world.

To understand how this all came to happen and how I went from a simple kitchen to where I am today, let’s go back a few years during my childhood, where certain things helped make me the way I am now. Like most folks, I came from humble beginnings. My family and I were not well off and had to make ends meet on a daily basis. It wasn’t easy, but I always look back on childhood with a smile. It was because I had to work hard that I was instilled with a strong sense of work ethic. Most kids would get time to get out and play, but I chose to work instead. I’m not saying that I was enslaved to work or anything; it is just that sometimes we take the little things for granted. If given a second chance at life, yes, perhaps I would have liked to have more time to have a little more fun, but then it would cost me all that I have achieved today.

I was born in Chicago, Illinois, to a mother with eight kids. You read that right—eight children in one house. It was a very unfortunate tragedy that two of them, both twins, passed away at a young age, leaving behind six. I was the middle one. There is an older sister and brother before I come into the picture, and then three after me. Most of my memories from then are quite vague, but I do recall one incident that stays with me to this day. It might, in fact, have played a role in shaping the perspective that I have even now.

At the age of four, we moved to Minnesota. My sister and I were playing together. It must’ve been the classic game of tag, since I was running after my older sister. Everything seemed fine until I felt a tremendous jolt of force hit me from the side. The next thing I knew was that I was flying across the sky before hitting the ground hard, and everything went dark. After what felt like a few hours, my eyes opened up to the sight of my mother next to me. My mother had already had to endure the loss of one girl and one boy ; the sight of me calling to her brought tears to her eyes, and she cried more than I’d ever seen her.

My baby, she sobbed. Thank God you’re okay. I prayed for days, and God finally heard me.

Mommy, I croaked, unable to fully gather my senses. How long was it?

Something was quite wrong, but at that young age, it was hard to put things together. It turned out that I was hit by a car that sent me flying about 25 feet in the air. People told me that I landed about twenty feet from where I was hit. No wonder it felt as if I were flying for a moment. Luckily, the ambulance came in time, and I was in a coma for two weeks. When the doctors finally came in to see how I was recovering, I had to relearn how to walk and talk again because the impact was so bad. Yet, there was something I felt they had missed.

Now, this is going to sound strange to you. Believe me, I get a lot of raised eyebrows and confused expressions when people hear this. When I woke up from the coma, I always felt that the family I was living with wasn’t mine. I was a soul hovering in a shell; that was somebody else’s body. If you’re confused after reading this, no worries. It confuses me at times too.

At first, I assumed it was a phase that would pass, or maybe the impact of the accident did something. Whatever it was, it set the precedent for how I felt afterwards as an outsider. My relationship with my siblings isn’t quite the typical loving type. I’m not saying things are bad; we’re just platonic. There is something of an unspoken boundary between me and them. This feeling of being an outsider began to show in little things when it came to me and them. In times when my siblings drank, smoked, or puffed drugs, I’d say no immediately. What they did didn't appeal to me.

This continued with how I went about living my life. I am