Before women can rise to the top, we must get out of our own way.
It's a pivotal time for women leaders. On one hand, studies show women are woefully under-represented in the highest echelons of corporate leadership. On the other, we've made huge strides in the political arena, while the global business world increasingly values the "soft skills" we're naturally good at.
So, what does all of this mean for women who aspire to the C Suite? Deb Boelkes has a simple message: Go for it. Conditions have never been more favorable. Yet know that before you forge ahead it's crucial to identify and neutralize the forces that are holding you back.
In Women On Top: What's Keeping You From Executive Leadership? -the third in a four-book series--Boelkes lays out a blueprint for getting out of your own way so you can make real progress. She tackles big roadblocks like fear, impostor syndrome, gender bias, and victimhood and offers advice on overcoming them. As she does so she masterfully weaves her own story together with been-there-done-that advice from seven high-level women from various industries.
A sampling of the book's insights:
- Smart strategies for dealing with career development challenges and personal weaknesses
- Why taking on cross functional assignments (especially those outside your comfort zone) creates the broad perspective senior leaders need
- Mind shifts and "how-tos" for overcoming the fear of heights that holds so many talented women back
- The vital importance of articulating the value of your personal brand (Hint: it's NOT bragging)
- Why leading through influence-building solid, trusting relationships with those beyond your direct span of control-is a major key to success
- How to discern when you can push through gender bias or finesse around it and when it's time to move on to another place where you can be a shining superstar
- How to avoid the lure of victimhood and uses losses and disappointments as an impetus to improve and grow
- Practical tips for making continuous learning and self-development a way of life
- How to balance confidence with humility, caution with courage, and self-reliance with teamwork, connection, and camaraderie.
- And much more!
Echoing with the voices of successful women with a rich diversity of perspectives-and sprinkled with tips, tactics, and thought-provoking questions-this book engages the mind and the heart. It's perfect for high school and college students as well as professional women of all ages and stages. Women On Top is for anyone who wants to do what she loves, love what she does, and become the best leader she can be along the way.
