fella, life is a 15 round fight: an autobiography by norm blake

Hard-won Insights on Business Leadership and Life.

Part business leadership book, part autobiography, Fella, Life is a 15 Round Fight recounts decades of lessons learned by Norm Blake both in his work and from his family.

Beginning with his defeat as a young boxer, Blake learned early in life to be persistent. At eight years old he had become proficient in boxing only to be defeated three years later by a boy two grades older. His boxing coach told him to learn from his defeat by becoming stronger and never giving up. It was the same lesson that his father had told him repeatedly. Never give up on yourself and persist with great determination. Thus, the title of his book, Fella, Life is a 15-Round Fight.

Fella, Life is a 15 Round Fight details his success as a ＂turnaround artist＂ restructuring and transforming companies to achieve success. Early in his career at GE he was a strategic planner and ultimately worked directly for Jack Welch. He learned much from Jack’s mentorship. After leaving GE as Executive Vice President of GE Credit Corporation, Blake became a CEO turning around various organizations, including Heller International, USF&G, Promus Hotel Corporation, the United States Olympic Committee, and Comdisco.

Every time he felt like he won a round in business, Norm was thrown right back into the ring and got knocked down many times. Yet, with hard work, persistence, and a commitment to his values, Blake tells how he endured through a successful career.

Having written his book in his 70s, he reflects on lessons learned in his career, his success as a leader in business, and his caring for his family.