Couric's first lesson was a membership in what she called 'the two H clubs: hard work and humility.' She referenced a book called Generation Me, which argued that young Americans raised on unconditional self-esteem — 'self-esteem without portfolio' — were set up for frustration and disappointment when the competitive real world didn't match their expectations. Her antidote was simple and personal: when she made coffee, Xeroxed documents, and distributed newspapers at ABC News, she thought her life was over. But she did it without complaining, learned along the way, and was ready when bigger opportunities came.