How Porter Braswell, author of Let Them See You, writes
Every month I dig into a different author’s writing or creative process to try to get a little better at my own work. Today I’m pleased to feature a little behind-the-scenes with Porter Braswell, a man who’s inspired the hell out of me for a long time now—and is the author of a fantastic new book.
I’ve seen the ideas in Porter’s new book, Let Them See You, in action at his company Jopwell, and Porter has personally helped me in my pursuit of understanding different people with different perspectives—which isn’t just helpful as a leader, but is invaluable insight as a writer.
Without further ado, here’s how Porter Braswell writes:
What was your process for putting together the book?
PB: Let Them See You is the book I wish I had when I started my career. I wrote it to be a resource that professionals of color can turn to for honest advice and mentorship to help them thrive in the workplace. But it’s more than that. I also wrote this book to help educate “majority” cultures so that they may better understand the obstacles people of color face in the workforce, and approach solutions with greater empathy.
As CEO of Jopwell, I’ve been privileged to speak with hundreds of Jopwell community members to learn about their workplace challenges, frustrations, and successes, and try to help where I can. From these conversations, it became increasingly clear to me that this book needed to exist, and I could be the one to write it.
In the book, I offer tips on everything from how to deal with “the spotlight effect,” to what to do if your work isn’t getting recognized, or how to build a successful diversity initiative at your company, no matter what level of seniority you are. While the book speaks directly to professionals of color, it also invites champions of diversity — who may not fully understand the challenges people of color are facing in the workplace environment — to listen in and learn from these insights.
From there, it came together pretty organically — it’s a subject I am passionate about, and I was lucky to have so many perspectives and personal experiences to draw from. I worked closely with the Penguin Random House team as the book took shape, and am so excited to share the final product with everyone. I hope reading this book will allow others to see their diversity as an asset and empower all readers with the tools needed to build more representative and inclusive workplaces.
How do you use the principles from the book in your own work?
PB: The themes and tips in the book and the work I do at Jopwell are very much intertwined. The same passion that drove me to launch Jopwell — a very personal desire to create a more inclusive workplace — inspired me to write Let Them See You.
The book aims to educate in addition to offering actionable tips, which is the same approach we take at Jopwell. When working with our partners, we help employers to not only understand that a diverse workforce is a business imperative, but also provide insight into the daily experience of being a professional of color in an underrepresented workplace. Creating that frame of reference is an essential step in helping us tailor the right approach for their company to build a more representative and inclusive workplace.
What rituals, if any, do you have as a writer?
PB: I block time in my day and find a quiet place to both reflect on recent conversations and experiences and organize my thoughts. Setting this time aside in my schedule is crucial and allows me to really get in the zone and singularly focus on writing. When writing on the weekends, I start each session after a long shower and a large cup of coffee, usually from my local Dunkin’ Donuts.
Where do you go for inspiration when you need it?
PB: As a lifelong athlete, working out is always a great way for me to clear my head. I am also always inspired by feedback from the Jopwell community — I find it so motivating. We often receive messages from candidates sharing that, because of Jopwell, they received a job offer for a role or were exposed to career resources and opportunities that they didn’t previously know existed. I have a folder in my email dedicated to these notes, and I look at them when I need to get re-energized and inspired.
Who is your favorite writer, and why?
PB: My favorite writer is Maya Angelou because I remember reading her growing up and being fascinated by her stories. She was the first author I can remember reading and having a sense of accomplishment when finishing her work. I also loved reading Langston Hughes and memorizing some of his poems.
What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever read in your life?
PB: The Four Hour Work Week. It unlocked so much for me and brought clarity into how I could better structure my time.
What do you want written on your tombstone?
PB: Porter Braswell lived a full life, was honest, did his absolute best to reach his potential, was fearless, and most importantly, was an amazing husband and father.
Shane Snow is author of Dream Teams and other books. If you liked this, check out The Snow Report.
