Who Says It's a Man's World

by Emily Bennington

The Atlantic magazine has called it the “end of men.” For the first time in U.S. history, women form the majority of the workforce, filling more managerial positions than their male counterparts. Today’s women are primed to take over the corporate world—if they don’t stumble on the way up.

Packed with insights from extraordinary women who have climbed the corporate ladder—including McDonald’s president Jan Fields, JetBlue cofounder Ann Rhoades, and fashion pioneer Liz Lange—Who Says It’s a Man’s World helps women navigate the rocky path from cubicle to executive suite. This ultra-practical guide offers an ideal “Success Profile” along with the measurable action steps needed to excel in each of five reputation-enhancing areas: personal development, social skills, effectiveness, team building, and leadership.

Complete with the latest research on women in the workplace and an eye-opening “promotability” assessment, Who Says It's a Man’s World provides readers with everything they need to build their own fast-track career plan.

Genres: Business, Self Help, Nonfiction, Leadership, Feminism, Professional Development, Womens

224 pages, Hardcover

First published December 24, 2012

About the author

EMILY BENNINGTON is a frequent speaker on the topic of career success and has been featured on Fox Business, CNN, and ABC, and quoted in publications including the Wall Street Journal, New York Post, and Washington Post Express. She is a contributing writer for Monster.com, a featured blogger for The Huffington Post, Forbes Woman, and US News and World Report.

Reviews

[Hala Riyami · Rating 4 out of 5]

شعرت برغبة عارمة لقراءة كتاب من هذا النوع بعد شعور "الاحتراق الوظيفي" الذي راودني تماماً بعد تسعة أو عشرة أشهر من التزامي بأول وظيفة رسمية. لاحقاً انتقلت لوظيفة أخرى في بيئة عمل مختلفة تماماً وانتبهت أيضاً بعد أن ازداد الأمر سوءاً إلى أنه حتى بالرغم من محبتي للتخصص الذي أريد العمل به إلا أن معوقات نوعية ظهرت في حياتي تسبب فيها : بيئة المؤسسة وحجمها و اختلاف الفارق العمري، الجيل، الثقافة ،الجنسية أحياناً واللغة. وحين كنت أتلقى الكثير من النصائح التي لم أطلبها يوماً والكثير من وجهات النظر والآراء و مشاعر سلبية نمت بتطرف من زملاء العمل فقد قررت أن أقرأ بعض من هذا الكتاب وهو وحتى وإن أنهيته فإنه من نوعية الكتب المُنقذة والتي يستدعي وضعها في قائمة 'الإسناد' التي يجب العودة إليها مراراً وتكراراً.

الكتاب عبارة عن خطط كثيرة لكن أجمل مافيه هو دهشتي في كيف أن إميلي بنينجتون كانت حاضرة دائماً في جلسات النميمة في بيئة العمل وأيام الضغط العالي والأيام التي لا ترغب فيها بقول حرف لأنك مُتعب تماماً. أربعة نجوم وكتاب مُنقذ لكل الموظفين حديثي الخبرة والتخرج.


ملاحظة: ثلاث سنوات وأقل .. خبرة عمل ، يعني حديث تخرج 😉

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haven't been called a girl in a long time and am not working in a corporate career, but am about to start a new job soon and found many things in this book useful anyway.
The message isn't necessarily anything new: Be your best. Do your best. Work hard. Never give up. (The author's success philosophy and pretty much the essence of this book)
Throughout the book though are a lot of helpful tools and exercises to achieve that version of a "better you".
I'll definitely go back and use some of the suggested "action plans" and "lists of professional development goals" (even if it sounds a bit silly, but hey! the things you do for self-improvement)

[Val Brady · Rating 2 out of 5]

So the review says “started and finished” but it’s more like “started and then gave up on reading it”. I don’t know what it was about this book, but it made my head hurt tbh. Maybe it’s just because I’m not even old enough to have a job and I only like fictional novels, but I can usually read anything. I simply could not finish this book.

[Saleena Berry · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s hard to rate non-fiction books. I purchased and picked this book up because I like educating myself about the business world. I assumed this book was right down my alley according to the title & first chapter I read. I love reading books that empower women. I thought it would be more centered around women in business, but it really describes business behaviors for any individual (man or woman). Although that’s fine, I was expecting to see more of how women can rise above the typical stereotypes men have of them and see them as equals. I still learned a good deal, although many things I already knew from my studies on business administration, such as what it means to be a leader and how to communicate effectively with team members.

[Rosalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contained a lot of great wisdom for women in the workplace and I think there’s a lot to be gained from reading it. However, the writing style was not for me at all but I powered through because of the useful information given. Also, there were moments in the way she speaks about topics and people that were just not feminist at all. Overall, would recommend if you can detach a bit and focus on content.

[Jessica Ivetich · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would not make it to publication today with its approach regarding sexual assault, etc. in the workplace and its Maya Angelou quote that lacks proper attribution.

That being said, Bennington does offer food for thought and tangible self-improvement steps to help you get ahead. The goals and templates included are useful, and I did end up with several pages of notes to put into practice.

[Amanda Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up on a whim. It was better than I expected! What sets it apart are the action plans at the end of each chapter. So it reads like a (clever, sometimes funny) self-development book/workbook. I read it completely through and dog-eared the action plan pages to go back more methodically and intentionally later. And despite what the title may lead you to believe, there's little, or rather no man-bashing. Just good solid advice--for any gender.

[Jessica Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

My dad gave me this book last Christmas, which I thought was adorable. The book has a lot of great, practical advice, and the voice it’s written in wasn’t boring to read. When you’re done with the book, you should have your own set of virtues written and 15 goals you can work to complete in 60 days. 4 stars because the location of the tables and the way they were referenced were sometimes confusing.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily really gives a lot of great insights in this book! I think a lot of her concepts can extend past business to life in general, and I found really helpful. I’ll definitely be trying out some of the goals and charts she shared in the novel, as well as putting to use the tips and advice she gave for business.

[KJ Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very useful tools in each section of the book to give you goal inspiration and proper planning methods. The book is also pretty witty and grounded, which is appreciated in a world of self help books that either come across as too vague or too preachy.

[Leah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to DNF this book because there’s a chapter on sexual harassment that says if it happens only occasionally or doesn’t *really* offend you, just let it go since essentially it could hurt your career if you speak up. This is not a message we should be giving young women.

[Bianca J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm trying to venture out and read books that aren't just fiction and this seemed like a good start. The book offered a lot of good insight but some parts rubbed me the wrong way. I get that as a woman in the corporate world, you're held to different (and unfair) standards than your male counterparts. This book does acknowledge that, but then it doesn't really talk about challenging it. The book gave a lot of examples of situations and some of the ways to handle them and some of them we're good but others felt a little anti-feminist. The most helpful thing is the book does provide sections for you to write down your goals and plans and that does seem helpful if you utilize it.

[Saraí Loredo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Handing it down to my sister :)

[Liza Fireman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is just brilliant!
Unlike the title says, this book is not really targeted to women or talking about women - 95% of the book contains amazing tips and practical tools for everyone. This is the first book that I found that takes emotional intelligence and translates it into practical advice. Emily did a great job explaining how to grow in the workplace, what to do and what not to do. She does speak a bit about women - for example, why we don't want women managers (or think that we don't want), and why women cry more than men (there's a biological reason for this).
Emily succeeded in articulating so many of my thoughts, and I found myself disagreeing with her only on very few issues. I am planning to recommend this book to everyone that sees himself/herself grows to be a leader (and probably even to those who don't). Since most of us put a glass ceiling to ourselves, we can remove it if we are aware of doing this. Read the book, than take action. And I have to finish with another WOW!

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Bennington is like the big sister I never had. She is no nonsense with a bucket of awesome anecdotes that both entertained and schooled me.

This book is great for any woman who wants to start or advance in their career because it covers all areas of career development. From how to lead a team with effective influence to how to manage a lazy coworker who pushes all of her work onto you. I love the anecdotes of women CEOs and Presidents. They show me that her tips are universally accepted pieces of wisdom that actually work.


However what sets this book apart from other similar books is its section on personal growth. Career development and personal growth are tied for the mosr successful leaders, including Benjamin Franklin. So, Emily Bennington updates Franklin's virtues system for a career woman. Totally genius!

How I wish I got this book when I graduated from college!! It is an especially great gift for college grads.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have seen the author speak in person before, and I enjoy her no-nonsense style. She "tells it like it is", which is at the same time enlightening and uncomfortable. But it is her willingness to let you know she's been through and done the same things that really helps the reader to relate to her and to the book.

[علياء عبدالعال · Rating 4 out of 5]

جيد الصراحة بشكل عام ومفهوش تفاصيل عميقة بالعكس الكتاب خفيف ومفيد جدا ومواضيعه واضحة بتتكلم الاخلاق العامة للنساء في العمل وازاي ترتب حياتها وشغلها .. كويس كمدخل لواقع العمل البروفشنال .. العنوان بيخليك تحس انه نسوي بس هوا كتاب منصف جدا للجنسين وبيحرض الست تعترف بتصرفاتها الانثوية البيولوجية اللي اتخلقت بيها وتركيب دماغها واللي ساعات بتعطل عليها النجاح فالعمل وهيا مش حاسة ..

[Amber Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very witty and easy to read. This book really provides the hands on approach to take your career to the next level. I recommend this book to anyone looking to better themselves and advance in their life and career.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

common sense but insightful, should be required reading for any woman starting out in the corporate world.

[Charis Loveland · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written guide for creating a solid action plan for getting promoted in your career. A better fit for a 20 something employee, I wish it'd been around a few years ago.

[ريم · Rating 4 out of 5]

ساعدني كتير جدًا فى ترتيب دماغي ...وأعتقد مع التطبيق الحقيقي للجداول اللى فيه هيفرق معايا مهنيًا جدًا

Thank You :)

[Vivie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad for a women-centered book. Good, interesting facts, and a dialogue that isn't hard to follow. I could apply this to my every day life, even if I am not following through with the structure the book is laying out.