What’s Really Inside a Business Leader’s Memoir

“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 in Hollywood on the Sunset Strip. It was my life, an electric moment of youth and passion, pushing the limits, chasing a lifelong dream of being a rockstar. We headlined the Sunset Strip for five years but never got a record deal. I left nothing on the table. I have no regrets. Memoirs are those moments that change and define who you are for the better or the worse. A memoir is an honest and unbridled exploration of memories that shaped you into who you are today. When collaborating with a ghostwriter, you can really dive in, relive those memories, and make sense of it all with plenty of space, privacy, and time. You have 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 always shine through in the writing. It’s the moment when everything falls into place and brings healing to the author. Those moments are the best. When the author gets real about their hardships, it’s like a punch to the gut. Realness and honesty are essential for any memoir. Memoir writing is about making sense of a new author’s life by dealing with deep wounds. And that’s when the struggle begins, making writing memoirs so tough. The whole idea is that someone else going through the same thing can learn and find a solution from the author’s story.

…But there’s so much more.  

Most, if not all, business leaders have tons of knowledge and experience from their careers. Collaborating with a ghostwriter on a memoir lets you share real-life stories and delve into the messy stuff, all in the hopes of helping others through your experiences. But to do it right, your memoir must come from the gut and be authentic. It has to be a deep, introspective look at your journey to becoming a successful business leader. Working with a skilled ghostwriter lets you privately reflect 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. Maya Angelou once says, “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, your memoir, will give us a glimpse into what made you who you are and led to your success. But to reach that point, you need to be honest about your screw-ups and share what you’ve taken away from them. It definitely takes guts. Bill Gates once says, “Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.” By sharing your failures and revealing your faults, you are helping others avoid pitfalls and navigate their paths to success. The adage, “the devil is in the details,” is at work here 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 them. Let the ghostwriter create an engaging story so you can concentrate on your life. Through storytelling, your experiences come alive, establishing a connection with your audience. Like Brené Brown says, “Stories are data with a soul.” Make your memoir powerful and authentic so it resonates with readers.

This reminded 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, as it explored 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 portrayed the personal side of the story, focusing on Henrietta’s family, her daughter Deborah, and their quest for understanding and acknowledgment. The book affected me 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 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.

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I am a top-tier ghostwriter specializing in business memoirs and thought leadership books. If you have a burning book idea, I’d love to talk to you and see how we can make it happen. You can find me at JEFFREYMANGUS.com.