New Ladder To Success

Jocelyn Greenky Herz has enjoyed a successful 20-year career as a senior executive that has spanned stops at Philip Morris, Wenner Media and Hachette Filipacchi. In 2000, Greenky-Herz launched Sider Road Media, a consulting firm. She has appeared on numerous TV and radio shows and is a featured speaker at universities, corporations and women's organizations around the country.

NewLadderToSuccess (NLTS): Dear Jocelyn, thank you for taking time off from your busy schedule to speak with us.  Can you share a little background about yourself?

Jocelyn Greenky Herz (Jocelyn):  I am originally from Buffalo, NY and am the youngest of 4 children.  My father was an orthodontist and my mom a philanthropist.  Growing up, I watched each of my siblings achieve outstanding professional accomplishments and I yearned to be just like them so I worked like a maniac in New York City to achieve the highest professional goals that I could.  Looking back I can clearly see why I choose the entertainment industry to excel in, I was performing before I could talk.  My biggest personal influence was our housekeeper, Emma Sider.  I will always remember her as a mother to me and her influence deep and steady. Her Quaker heritage made a profound stamp on me as an individual.  Integrity, honesty, hard work, pride and loyalty were woven into every ounce of my being.  On weekends she would take me from our city house to her rural farmhouse and there, I would immerse myself with the animals and farmland. Her quiet understatements and strengths were sound foundations for a growing child.  Currently, I am a mentor to high-school students in the South Florida area. I, thankfully, graduated from Syracuse University.

NLTS:  We all know the work place can be a risky and dangerous place. Your book, “The Big Sister’s Guide to the World of Work”, gives every woman the tools to survive and even thrive in such an environment.  What led you to write this survival guide with your co-author, Ms. Marcelle DiFalco?

Jocelyn:  Marcelle and I worked together in a difficult corporate environment.  It was a struggle and I didn’t understand. It should have been easy! We both were intelligent, clearly understood our jobs, felt that we were reasonable people and truly just wanted to do a great job. I felt there should have been a book or guide for women to clearly understand all the hidden inuendo’s that no one bothered to teach us in college. After we both left the company, I called her and said, let’s write a book on office politics which targets women 21-99 and thankfully she said YES!

NLTS:   How long did it take you and Ms. DiFalco to complete, “The Big Sister’s Guide…?”  What was the most enjoyable aspect of writing this book?   What was the least enjoyable part?  More importantly, will there be a sequel to, "The Big Sister’s Guide…"?

Jocelyn:  It took us a full year or a little more to finish the book.  We never saw each other once while the book was being written.  Everything was done online or on the telephone.  My first child had just been born and it was painfully difficult not spending time with him for the first eight months of his life.  I felt overwhelmingly guilty.  I did see the light of the end of the tunnel – because we had to meet our deadline!  The best part of writing this book was... I knew from day one that this was going to be an excellent book and nothing was going to stop me from accomplishing this goal.

NLTS:  There is a lot of humor used in the book, with references to things like PMS (Political Misery Syndrome), Have Them From Hello, Snow White and Dwarves, etc.  Are you always so upbeat and witty?  How do you cope with everyday problems and stress?

Jocelyn:   I think humor is one of life’s most wonderful treats. I attempt to utilize humor, particularly at my own expense, in most situations. I know humor can calm most situations or offset a tough one.  My personal religion is based upon perspective and humor.  I couldn’t live without either one.

NLTS:  I love your Business Advice segment on AOL.  How did you become an AOL Business and Career Coach?

Jocelyn:  I have been involved with AOL for many years through my leadership at Hachette Filipacchi New Media.  One of the most senior executives there, Michael Wolfson, is a close friend of mine and had read the book.  He recommended me to the AOL Business and Career Coach director. 

NLTS:  What were some challenges you faced in life?  How did you overcome them?

Jocelyn:  Being fired from a job was more than difficult or a tough challenge for me. I felt humiliated, sad, lonely, ashamed and thought I would never get another job again as long as I lived.  Of course, when my emotions settled and time passed, perspective settles in and I realized I had to get up, get my shoes on and go find a job. Ultimately, I got a better job, much more money and of course, more responsibility. It was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. 

NLTS:    What projects are you currently working on?

Jocelyn:  I continue to speak to women’s groups and universities to promote the book. I love doing it and enjoy the interaction.  I am developing a radically new radio show targeted to women 25-54.     We have been in studio cutting the demo.  Who knew that producing radio is so much work! 

Most importantly, I decided to take an exciting position, as an Executive Vice President with Colin Cowie Lifestlye.  I lead the internet division and work on business planning, marketing and television initiatives for the company as well. It’s unbelievably thrilling given Colin’s current skyrocketing success right now.  Besides being featured on Oprah and CBS’ Early Show throughout the year, he owns THE premiere U.S. event production company, Colin is the face of Wal-Mart home division.  

NLTS:     Is there anything else you would like to accomplish personally and/or professionally?  What do you think it would take for you achieve it?

Jocelyn:  Great question. I have a list of 50 things that I want to achieve in this life before I go to the next one. One was writing a book, another was having children and others include fluency in a second language, traveling to every continent on this planet, taking a cooking class in 20 countries and owning a farm. Everything can be accomplished in time and with focus.

NLTS:  What is one thing people don’t know about you but  would be very surprised to find out?

Jocelyn:  I eat dark chocolate every single night with a delicious glass of red wine. 

NLTS:   Is there any other information you would like to share with our readers ?

Jocelyn:  Please email with questions or further information to Jocelyn@SiderRoad.com.  My website is www.SiderRoad.com

NLTS: Thank you again for sharing your story with us.

Related Links: Jocelyn at AOL and Jocelyn at YouTube

Jocelyn Greenky Herz serves as a mentor within the ‘Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program’ in South Florida. Ms. Greenky-Herz lives in Boca Raton, Florida with her husband and two children. She graduated from Syracuse University.