That $158 Million Question: Lots of Influencers Care, Leon Black Doesn't Have to

 From William Cohan in "Money To Burn" to Dan Adler in Vanity Fair to government there's plenty of earnest concern about "the $158 million." That's the amount that financial innovator Leon Black paid to the late Jeffrey Epstein. 

So far, the results of the probing have been mere speculation. The hidden agenda seems to be to uncover that the funds were invested by Epstein in his wrongdoing, especially alleged sex trafficking. Therefore, the earnest seem to want to nail Black as an enabler. Maybe accidental but still an enabler.

Meanwhile, though, Black doesn't have to care. Sure, there are the reputational body blows. But those are very separate from the life Black leads.

He remains prominent in finance and the arts. His family office is successful. His wealth keeps building. So much so that he can afford to continue to hire top lawyers to give him a forum for his points of view. That is the high-profile lawsuit. The most recent is "Black v House Committee on Oversight." Here is a copy of the complaint.

It seems downright out-of-date to become too worked up about reputational matters. Look at how former prisoner Mike Milken overcame all that. The same goes for Monica Lewinsky. Actually the whole field of public relations is forced to reset, everything from structure to strategies.

Extend that reality to us ordinary people. If we are working in this tough labor market it's probably because we outgrew the Tom Peters' mandate to develop a personal brand. That was the Brand Called You.

Instead of investing in the personal brand, we're sticking to the knitting. That is, one task, one client/customer at a time. It's all about demonstrating how we're totally focused on customized outcomes. 

And, the work keeps coming in. 

That's exactly why in my intuitive coaching/psychic readings I warn clients to dial back the personality. Those hiring want to experience what you can do for them. That narrow focus continues after you're on the job. Sure, exercise Emotional Intelligence. That's a given. But what used to pack a punch - the cult of personality - can be a liability. 

Careers. Forget all that. It’s about earning a good living, no matter what.

Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova, StreetSmart Coaching (janegenova374@gmail.com)


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