What’s Really Inside a Business Leader’s Memoir
From the desk of Jeffrey A. Mangus, CEO, Mangus Media Group
“Memoir writing: cut deep until your blood gushes out. The writing must be that honest.”
― Cathryn Vogeley, I Need to Tell You
Today, a picture popped up in my memories of me playing my guitar at a private show years ago. Before my career as a ghostwriter, I was a professional musician, touring the country, traveling west, and playing in Los Angeles on the Sunset Strip. It was my life—an electric moment of youth and passion, pushing limits, and chasing a lifelong dream of being a rockstar. My band headlined the Sunset Strip for five years, but a record deal never materialized. I left nothing on the table; I have no regrets.
Memoirs are about those pivotal moments that shape and define who you are, for better or worse. A memoir is an honest, unbridled exploration of the memories that sculpted you into who you are today. When you collaborate with a ghostwriter, you can truly dive in, relive those memories, and make sense of it all with ample space, privacy, and time. It’s a chance to heal.
… Memoirs Do Heal.
No matter what, when I work with a new author on their business memoir, their hardships and doubts invariably shine through. It’s when everything falls into place, bringing profound healing to the author. Those are the best moments. When an author truly opens up about their struggles, it’s like a punch to the gut. This rawness and honesty are essential for any memoir. Writing a memoir is about making sense of an author’s life by confronting deep wounds. And that’s often when the struggle begins, making the process of writing memoirs so challenging. The core idea is that someone else, going through similar experiences, can learn and find solutions from the author’s story.
…But There’s So Much More.
Most, if not all, business leaders possess a wealth of knowledge and experience from their careers. Collaborating with a ghostwriter on a memoir allows you to share real-life stories and delve into the messy stuff, all hoping to guide others through your experiences. But to do it right, your memoir must come from the gut and be authentic. It needs to be a deep, introspective look at your journey to becoming a successful business leader.
Working with a skilled ghostwriter allows you to reflect privately on your journey. A skilled ghostwriter, such as myself, understands which questions will stimulate deep thinking. When I listen, I do so with empathy and compassion. It’s the only way to make the memoir work. As Maya Angelou once said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
Let it all out – share the unfiltered details of your experiences to inspire and motivate others. Sharing your personal journey in your memoir will offer readers a glimpse into what shaped you into who you are and contributed to your success. But to reach that point, you need to be honest about your missteps and share what you’ve learned from them. It definitely takes guts. Bill Gates once said, “Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.” By sharing your failures and revealing your faults, you help others avoid pitfalls and navigate their own paths to success. The adage, “the devil is in the details,” truly comes alive as you bravely share your unique real-world anecdotes so readers can apply them to their own lives and careers.
If you work with a ghostwriter, you can leave the writing to us. Let your ghostwriter craft an engaging story, allowing you to focus on your life. Through compelling storytelling, your experiences come alive, establishing a powerful connection with your audience. As Brené Brown says, “Stories are data with a soul.” Make your memoir powerful and authentic so it truly resonates with readers.
This reminds me of a book I read, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. It was a powerful story that delved into Henrietta Lacks’ life and the enduring legacy of the HeLa cells. Someone took Henrietta Lacks’ cancer cells in the 1950s without her consent. What set these cells apart was their extraordinary ability to survive and reproduce infinitely under lab conditions. Henrietta’s cells became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and more.
The book was honest and riveting, exploring ethical and racial issues in medical research. The story intertwines with issues of race and the exploitation of African American individuals in medical science around consent and the lack of compensation to the Lacks family despite the vast commercial use of HeLa cells. Skloot powerfully portrayed the personal side of the story, focusing on Henrietta’s family, particularly her daughter Deborah, and their quest for understanding and acknowledgment. The book affected me deeply as a ghostwriter because it showed, above everything else, that a memoir, when done honestly, can leave a lasting mark through thought-provoking and candid personal stories.
As you work with a ghostwriter on your memoir, consider the ripple effects of your actions and the legacy you want to leave behind. Reflect on what you have achieved and how you have made a difference in the world around you. Leave everything on the table and uphold your values, motivations, and vision for the future, displaying what truly drives you as a leader. Simon Sinek says, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” By articulating your core values and purpose, you can inspire others to align with your mission and contribute to a shared vision of success. Your memoir should serve as a roadmap for future leaders, guiding them toward a path of authenticity, integrity, and impact. Your memoir has the power to leave a lasting impact on those who read it, so approach the task with care, thoughtfulness, and a commitment to authenticity. Share your story, share your truth, and watch as you empower others to embrace their own leadership journey with courage and conviction.
Mangus Media Group is an elite white-glove team of NYT Bestselling writers and publishing professionals. Our team specializes in business memoirs and thought leadership books. Discuss your idea and concept with our team. Let us help you make your book happen. (Click here)
