What do you think?
Rate this book
How Women Work: Fitting In and Standing Out in Asia
"Are the rules that define women leaders in Asia different from those in the West? How are women leaders perceived across Asia? What are the cultural barriers and biases that they grapple with? How is ambition displayed and aspiration cloaked? These are some of the questions addressed in How Women Fitting In and Standing Out in Asia. From China to India, Singapore to the Philippines and Japan to Thailand, this book observes working women through a pan-Asian lens, using their triumphs and tribulations to present readers with lessons and learnings on leadership and success. ‘Fitting in’ and ‘standing out’ are seemingly contrarian ideas, but, from all accounts, Asian women don’t view them as ‘either/or’. Successful Asian women leaders do both on their own terms. With observations from women leaders as well as their male counterparts, How Women Work enriches and deepens our understanding of women leadership in one of the most dynamic regions of the world. It lays down the skills and strategies that work and the pitfalls to avoid for the modern working leader as she navigates the intricate ties between leadership and culture in the Asian hemisphere."
260 pages, Paperback
Published May 30, 2023
4 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 12, 2023
Some books give you hope while some spit out facts.
This book does both quite well.
'How Women Work' talks about the contrasting rules for women leaders in Asia from that in the West. It digs into the biases and barriers, they face and how that affects their leadership.
I was intrigued to learn about real women leaders, their challenges and achievements which were quite empowering. The book further explores the strategies and skills that can help working women achieve their dreams.
This book has great insights which enrich our understanding of the working culture in one of the most competitive regions of the World.
Overall, the book is intriguing, empowering and motivating while providing readers with practical tips and advice to follow.
This book does both quite well.
'How Women Work' talks about the contrasting rules for women leaders in Asia from that in the West. It digs into the biases and barriers, they face and how that affects their leadership.
I was intrigued to learn about real women leaders, their challenges and achievements which were quite empowering. The book further explores the strategies and skills that can help working women achieve their dreams.
This book has great insights which enrich our understanding of the working culture in one of the most competitive regions of the World.
Overall, the book is intriguing, empowering and motivating while providing readers with practical tips and advice to follow.
March 19, 2023
Aarti Kelshikar offers an interesting look at the many roles of women and the unique demands they face in the workplace.
Aarti tackles a wide range of topics, such as how technology is transforming how women work, how women navigate and find success in male-dominated industries, and how work cultures can become more inclusive.
The book is very well-researched and offers numerous insightful observations from experts, practitioners, and academics.
A must-read!
Aarti tackles a wide range of topics, such as how technology is transforming how women work, how women navigate and find success in male-dominated industries, and how work cultures can become more inclusive.
The book is very well-researched and offers numerous insightful observations from experts, practitioners, and academics.
A must-read!
May 9, 2023
Women and leadership are subjects that draw me in and the intersection of the two is irresistible. I end up picking up every book I see on the subject. And this one is Asia centric too !
Yet there is a vexing aspect to it, one it shares with many of these worthy enterprises - as they struggle to fashion a narrative through all their disparate interviews.
Women and Leadership: Real Lives, Real Lessons in contrast manages to do a great job on this- they pick up political leaders from all over the world and take us through their career trajectories - these leaders become characters we identify with - so when Hillary Clinton for instance talks about the high costs of having to spend hours getting ready, blow drying her hair, we can picture her so well and totally relate to what she says.
Other books like Own It: Leadership Lessons from Women Who Do and to a lesser extent Equal, Yet Different: Career Catalysts for the Professional Woman seem to struggle with this structural snag - how do you meld issues and characters to fashion a narrative.
This, then, is the problem with How Women Work - the women quoted feel faceless - Renyung Ho, who is a young generation leader of a family business, Arisa, a Thai leader, Susan P Chen, HR leader and growth mindset advocate, Sofia Shakil, an international development professional - they are all described in such a generic way, its hard to relate to them.
The book is a painstakingly ordered pastiche of incidents, observations, quotations and advice.
With observations like -If there is one trait that is fairly evident across Asia, it would be resilience. This is probably a factor of the developing and emerging world, where success with its trappings and material comforts is aspired to, encouraged and coveted
I don't doubt there are insights here, but it's such a slog to go searching through jargon and generic descriptions to uncover them.
Yet there is a vexing aspect to it, one it shares with many of these worthy enterprises - as they struggle to fashion a narrative through all their disparate interviews.
Women and Leadership: Real Lives, Real Lessons in contrast manages to do a great job on this- they pick up political leaders from all over the world and take us through their career trajectories - these leaders become characters we identify with - so when Hillary Clinton for instance talks about the high costs of having to spend hours getting ready, blow drying her hair, we can picture her so well and totally relate to what she says.
Other books like Own It: Leadership Lessons from Women Who Do and to a lesser extent Equal, Yet Different: Career Catalysts for the Professional Woman seem to struggle with this structural snag - how do you meld issues and characters to fashion a narrative.
This, then, is the problem with How Women Work - the women quoted feel faceless - Renyung Ho, who is a young generation leader of a family business, Arisa, a Thai leader, Susan P Chen, HR leader and growth mindset advocate, Sofia Shakil, an international development professional - they are all described in such a generic way, its hard to relate to them.
The book is a painstakingly ordered pastiche of incidents, observations, quotations and advice.
With observations like -If there is one trait that is fairly evident across Asia, it would be resilience. This is probably a factor of the developing and emerging world, where success with its trappings and material comforts is aspired to, encouraged and coveted
I don't doubt there are insights here, but it's such a slog to go searching through jargon and generic descriptions to uncover them.
April 15, 2024
When my husband saw Aarti's book 'How Women Work' next to our 12-year-old son, he got worried. He thought our son might be trying to learn how to deal with women at such a young age. I told him the book isn't going in the direction he was thinking about, but rather, it provides insights on women's leadership in Asia.
I want to recommend this book to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of how women navigate the workplace in Asia. It offers fascinating insights into the diverse values and behaviours they exhibit in leadership roles.
Despite facing numerous biases and challenges, these women have managed to overcome them and achieve success, particularly in environments where traditional gender roles may have posed obstacles to their careers.
The personal anecdotes shared by women in leadership positions are truly inspiring. They also emphasize the importance of cultural understanding and the ability to balance courage and results-oriented behaviour with empathy and a collaborative approach.
One thing that stands out in my memory is what one of the leaders mentioned about women's drive to succeed and the importance of supporting each other as they grow in their careers.
The author's language is clear and accessible, integrating personal narratives with research findings from diverse sources, resulting in a captivating and enlightening read!
I want to recommend this book to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of how women navigate the workplace in Asia. It offers fascinating insights into the diverse values and behaviours they exhibit in leadership roles.
Despite facing numerous biases and challenges, these women have managed to overcome them and achieve success, particularly in environments where traditional gender roles may have posed obstacles to their careers.
The personal anecdotes shared by women in leadership positions are truly inspiring. They also emphasize the importance of cultural understanding and the ability to balance courage and results-oriented behaviour with empathy and a collaborative approach.
One thing that stands out in my memory is what one of the leaders mentioned about women's drive to succeed and the importance of supporting each other as they grow in their careers.
The author's language is clear and accessible, integrating personal narratives with research findings from diverse sources, resulting in a captivating and enlightening read!
May 15, 2023
As someone who has lived and worked across different cultures, this book resonated with me in many ways. Having had the privilege of working in the Philippines, a country where women in leadership positions are more prevalent than elsewhere, I have witnessed firsthand the power of embracing one's authentic self and building your personal brand. This book beautifully captures the essence of this transformative process, highlighting the significant role it plays in the journey of female leaders.
Through its engaging narratives, this book provides a platform for celebrating the phenomenal female leaders across Asia. It not only sheds light on their inspiring accomplishments but also emphasizes the importance of both fitting in and standing out in our own unique ways. The author, Aarti Kelshikar, beautifully brings together personal anecdotes, interviews, and research to paint a vivid picture of the remarkable experiences, challenges, and strengths of women leaders in Asia. The stories shared are empowering and deeply thought-provoking.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book! It is a captivating read for both men and women that will leave you inspired, informed, and armed with valuable perspectives.
Through its engaging narratives, this book provides a platform for celebrating the phenomenal female leaders across Asia. It not only sheds light on their inspiring accomplishments but also emphasizes the importance of both fitting in and standing out in our own unique ways. The author, Aarti Kelshikar, beautifully brings together personal anecdotes, interviews, and research to paint a vivid picture of the remarkable experiences, challenges, and strengths of women leaders in Asia. The stories shared are empowering and deeply thought-provoking.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book! It is a captivating read for both men and women that will leave you inspired, informed, and armed with valuable perspectives.
May 7, 2023
"How Women Work" written by Aarti Kelshikar follows the journeys of Asian women leaders from a wide cross section of industries, who have made their mark despite cultural obstacles and gender bias. Aarti has presented stories of these women achievers within their unique cultural contexts, exploring challenges that hinder women, biases against them and various female leadership styles. It is uplifting to learn how women have embraced the opportunity both to take responsibility and personally evolve to be successful. It also makes one realize how the challenges women face are universal, regardless of where they come from.
The book is easy and engaging, packed with research, and rich with fresh and valuable insights, for both men and women in the work place. Highly recommended!
The book is easy and engaging, packed with research, and rich with fresh and valuable insights, for both men and women in the work place. Highly recommended!
June 30, 2024
Normally, when I read books on Women at Work I encounter Western stories. This one however was different and offered a more Asian perspective. The book not only gives hope on Women at work but also spits facts in forms of cases of women experiencing at Asian workspaces. My major takeaways were:
1. Cultural intersection at work: The difference of women at work in a matriarchal society, Thailand and a patriarchal society, Japan
2. The expectations set by society on working patterns of women leaders having tendency of nurture and motherly
3. Stereotypes the women leaders require to face: 'drinking culture', asking about marriage and children for career progression
As a South Asian, a relatable read!
1. Cultural intersection at work: The difference of women at work in a matriarchal society, Thailand and a patriarchal society, Japan
2. The expectations set by society on working patterns of women leaders having tendency of nurture and motherly
3. Stereotypes the women leaders require to face: 'drinking culture', asking about marriage and children for career progression
As a South Asian, a relatable read!
Read
April 10, 2023Aarti Kelshikar's book is a must-read for both men and women! It's grounded in meticulous research and gives a great insight into the world of working women- the challenges they face and how they overcome them. What I enjoyed most was the diversity of voices- from so many parts of Asia. From Thailand to China to India to the Philippines, Aarti's book delves into the unique working environments in each of these countries from the lens of the working woman. I found that fascinating. It also makes you realize that despite the cultural differences and nuances, the challenges women face are universal. Really enjoyed the pan-Asian perspective of the book. A must-read!
May 22, 2023
Following on the success of the author's first book 'How India Works', this is another very insightful book which details women leadership in the Asian workplace. The author brings a wealth of experience from her time at various companies in multiple countries and adds a cultural dimension which deconstructs what it means to lead and thrive at the Asian workplace if you are a woman. It is a must read for everyone - women will find it relatable and men will find it insightful.
The book is readable and entertaining, while being informative at the same time. Recommended!
The book is readable and entertaining, while being informative at the same time. Recommended!
November 1, 2025
How women works! A must read by Aarti Kelshikar.
This book mirrors mindset and life of working women in India.
In my opinion this is the first time someone actually wrote challenges of working women in India. May it be decision making, execution, employee relationship or work-life scenario. This book takes you to the journey of working woman with reality of her life. My fav part is this doodle by Anushka Kelshikar- What's in her bag- it exactly replicates working women's bag edition.
I insist every working professional should read these books.
This book mirrors mindset and life of working women in India.
In my opinion this is the first time someone actually wrote challenges of working women in India. May it be decision making, execution, employee relationship or work-life scenario. This book takes you to the journey of working woman with reality of her life. My fav part is this doodle by Anushka Kelshikar- What's in her bag- it exactly replicates working women's bag edition.
I insist every working professional should read these books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2023
How Women Work is a super insightful and engaging book on what it means to be a successful woman leader in Asia. It follows the journeys of several leaders, and explains how they navigated different situations and leveraged their skills to come out on top. I haven't seen many better documented books on this subject. Highly recommend for both men and women in the corporate world, especially in Asia! I learnt a lot.
May 26, 2023
I loved the book! Especially the last few chapters, checklist and cheat sheet for how they lead and how they work. I had a smile as I nodded away to parts of the book that resonated with my experience working in APAC region. Leaders are always on the run to stay relevant and innovate, so thank you for capturing some of the journeys, incidents so vividly that us readers can pause and reflect upon. Looking forward to meeting the author in person and securing my signed copy!
September 14, 2023
Aarti's work is truly exceptional, offering a fresh perspective on the role of women in leadership in Asia. She masterfully combines three lenses - gender, culture, and leadership - to craft a narrative that's both engaging and profoundly insightful. It's a great mix of storytelling and cultural exploration, supported by research and expertise. Reading this, you'll not only gain a profound understanding of these complexities but also enjoy every moment of the journey.
January 14, 2024
Inspirational, Motivational & Insightful Read. Found interesting examples of how women strategize and work their way in different situations. Following on the success of the author's first book 'How India Works', this one brings a wealth of experiences within different scenarios across various companies in multiple countries. It is a must read for everyone - Very insightful with great tips on leadership and strategies.
Highly Recommended!
Highly Recommended!
April 22, 2023
I am amazed by the amount of research and interviews conducted by Aarti with different Asia Countries leaders discussing relevant topics regarding women leadership, covering cultural aspects, expectations, conscious and unconscious biases. Highly recommend to everyone who are keen to learn more about women leadership especially in Singapore, India, Thailand, Japan, Philippines and Thailand.
May 14, 2023
I love reading Aarti's books as they are super interesting, informative and insightful! Highly recommend it especially to younger women who are starting out in their professional careers! Kudos to Aarti for her painstaking research and for connecting with so many fabulous ladies across Asia and sharing their inspirational stories!
Looking forward to her next book already!
Looking forward to her next book already!
July 13, 2023
We all have biases, the book explains with simple examples of Asian women leaders in the corporate world how women lead with collaboration, courage, accepting mistakes, asking for help when they do not know and taking control and moving forward
It lays down the skills that work with the help of anecdotes. Engaging and insightful, a must-read for both men and women
It lays down the skills that work with the help of anecdotes. Engaging and insightful, a must-read for both men and women
May 5, 2023
A great yet easy read. Full of insights relating to how successful women work in different Asian cultures. Was reminded in a sense of “Good to Great” by James Collins which had a similar approach. Lots of interesting new facts emanating from painstaking research.
July 8, 2023
The book has been very insightful on how women across the continent work. I have loved that it was not just all information and what is happening, but is also actionable to tackle some issues (what's in her bag). Loved the read.
March 10, 2024
Aarti's new book 'How women work' is nicely poised at the intersection of gender and geography. I particularly enjoyed reading the anecdotes and learnings from women leaders who have made 'Fitting in and Standing out in Asia' a reality.
May 10, 2023
Terrific insights . Learnt so much.
Have asked my team to read it too .
Have asked my team to read it too .
May 10, 2023
Must read for all Men and Women! So detailed & meticulously written. A source of encouragement for every woman in dealing with the difficulties in daily life.
May 14, 2023
Loved this book! It explores the nuanced challenges that women in Asia face in the workplace and offers great insights from diverse leaders. Overall a very well-researched book.
May 21, 2023
Fabulous!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews