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Leading Women: 20 Influential Women Share Their Secrets to Leadership, Business, and Life
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Stop waiting around for the career--and life--that you deserve and start taking the reins! Leading Women shows you how to claim power and respect, conquer your internal barriers, and change the world by helping other women do the same. Featuring stories from twenty nationally acclaimed female leaders, this empowering guide offers real-life advice for breaking free of the predetermined roles in the business world and life. Powerful women such as New York Times bestselling author Marci Shimoff, advocacy leader Gloria Feldt, and Emmy-winning television host Aurea McGarry describe what it's like to go beyond their comfort zones, hold their own in a male-dominated environment, and take control of the situations that keep many women from achieving their goals. From corporate coach Lois Frankel's key ways to becoming a natural and necessary leader to bestselling author M. Bridget Cook-Burch's struggles after years of abuse, their insight will help you embrace your purpose, seize important opportunities, and overcome any obstacle that comes your way.
With the guidance of these influential, resourceful leaders, you'll maximize your personal power, exceed your business goals, and establish a network designed to support and celebrate your fellow women.
Contributors Kristin Andress, Cheryl Benton, Claire Damken Brown, PhD, M. Bridget Cook-Burch, Vivian Diller, PhD, Gloria Feldt, Lois P. Frankel, PhD, Joanna L. Krotz, Aurea McGarry, Lisa Mininni, Shirley Osbourne, Lois Phillips, PhD, Birute Regine, PhD, Linda Rendleman, Marcia Reynolds, PhD, Marci Shimoff, Rebecca Tinsley, Sandra Ford Walston, Michele Willens, and Janet Rose Wojtalik, EdD
Stop waiting around for the career--and life--that you deserve and start taking the reins! Leading Women shows you how to claim power and respect, conquer your internal barriers, and change the world by helping other women do the same. Featuring stories from twenty nationally acclaimed female leaders, this empowering guide offers real-life advice for breaking free of the predetermined roles in the business world and life. Powerful women such as New York Times bestselling author Marci Shimoff, advocacy leader Gloria Feldt, and Emmy-winning television host Aurea McGarry describe what it's like to go beyond their comfort zones, hold their own in a male-dominated environment, and take control of the situations that keep many women from achieving their goals. From corporate coach Lois Frankel's key ways to becoming a natural and necessary leader to bestselling author M. Bridget Cook-Burch's struggles after years of abuse, their insight will help you embrace your purpose, seize important opportunities, and overcome any obstacle that comes your way.
With the guidance of these influential, resourceful leaders, you'll maximize your personal power, exceed your business goals, and establish a network designed to support and celebrate your fellow women.
Contributors Kristin Andress, Cheryl Benton, Claire Damken Brown, PhD, M. Bridget Cook-Burch, Vivian Diller, PhD, Gloria Feldt, Lois P. Frankel, PhD, Joanna L. Krotz, Aurea McGarry, Lisa Mininni, Shirley Osbourne, Lois Phillips, PhD, Birute Regine, PhD, Linda Rendleman, Marcia Reynolds, PhD, Marci Shimoff, Rebecca Tinsley, Sandra Ford Walston, Michele Willens, and Janet Rose Wojtalik, EdD
256 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2014
95 people are currently reading
924 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 25, 2020
It could have been worse, and there are some really great pivotal moments here. but when you’re 3/4 done and come across a chapter that says you don’t have to be a feminist to support equal rights, I have to shut you down. Minimizing the meaning of feminism has happened too long for too many, and it truly is the definition to believe in equal rights. You are shaming someone into denying a feminist label to gain supporters, which in turn, diminishes the entire feminist agenda. Feminism is not a four letter word, and I would think 20 women writing a book on female leadership would know that. Instead, you get a book of women molding themselves into men’s worlds. This is nearly the anti-Lean In, Cheryl Sandberg approach that shattered ceilings everywhere. Move out of the light ladies; there are more empathetic women to take charge here.
July 15, 2018
I’ve had this book for two years and I’m kicking myself for not finishing it sooner. This book touched on everything from financial empowerment, emotional and spiritual self care, to philanthropically making a difference in the world around us. So inspiring and a lot of good information and resources for women. THIS IS ONE BOOK EVERY WOMAN SHOULD READ #bookreview
September 12, 2020
There were really good essays and there were ones that have been retold from various sources and are just overexposed. However, the number of good essays trump the number of bad ones. Is it worth the read? If you’re into a quick simple read, yes. However, if you’re looking for a more in-depth and interesting book on women empowerment, there are better books out there.
January 24, 2020
I am 21 years old and have been into business since a young kid (9 years old). I love gaining wisdom from everyone especially from women. I contenting with the book greatly and hope to meet some of the women in this book. 10/10 would recommend.
April 13, 2019
There are a few good essays dealing with obstacles women face. But most others are about positive thinking.
December 23, 2021
A series of essays by different leading women, this book has some great insights. I'll certainly go back and reread some of the essays!
February 8, 2025
A good book of essays about women for women. It can be read in one sitting but i think it would be better read a little bit each day
January 30, 2015
Oh, here is another book that promises to empower women “… to take the reins and conquer the barriers that keep them from obtaining the career and life that they desire” that features success stories from nationally acclaimed women.
Sorry, but consider me still slightly underwhelmed. Yet I want to be positive. Discrimination exists and it shouldn’t. As a father of a young girl, who is being taught she has the power to do anything she wants to do in the future, I am far from being a reactionary male chauvinist pig. I am not convinced that books like this, which purport to show you how “… to claim power and respect, conquer your internal barriers, and change the world by helping other women do the same” are the solution and saviour they promise. They might be harmless, yet they are not as multifaceted and ground breaking as they would like to believe they are.
Not everything is bad. Some of the book had interesting bits and pieces but boy, did it feel padded and slow to boil in rather a lot of places! One doesn’t think that things are that different in the United States - land of the free - compared to how things are in Europe. Is this really true in 2015? “Yet, for many of us (women) our relationship with power continues to be fraught with insecurity, ambivalence, and confusion. We want it but do not know how to get it and are afraid to admit we seek it. When we have it, we hide it. We are often afraid to use it because our society punishes powerful women in subtle and not-so-subtle ways,” notes the author. Is this reviewer somehow punishing a powerful, successful woman in a not-so-subtle way? Unlikely.
Certainly as a male the success of women doesn’t make me feel threatened. On the contrary! Strong, successful, confident and equal women can – and are – the successful wives, girlfriends and mothers of successive generations. They are the educators, employers and politicians who help steer our future. There is inequality in society on many levels and it is great to reduce this wherever possible. More can be done, undoubtedly, but it is not as this book will be an accelerant of change. It gives a view but it no more speaks for the majority of womankind than does the assumption that most women like pink, glittery, fluffy things. Many positively hate it.
The book could do much more to highlight the problem. It was genuinely a shock to learn that women's rights are not yet protected under the U.S. Constitution. Many countries have an appalling record concerning their treatment of women. Yet look up to the U.S. for true inspiration and what do you see? What reason can there be for not having equality enshrined in the Constitution? Other amendments have been made for much less.
I was expecting a lot more from this book – if nothing else as material to underline my desire to teach my daughter to be independent, strong and focussed. I felt underwhelmed and that is a great shame. It might work for you (whatever your sex) if you need the kind of book that has to spell out everything in overly simplistic, rah-rah-you-can-do-it terms. It is harmless, it is inexpensive but it could just have been much more…
Leading Women: 20 Successful Women Share Their Secrets to Leadership, Business, and Life, written by Nancy D. O'Reilly and published by Adams Media Corporation. ISBN 9781440584176, 256 pages. YYY
Sorry, but consider me still slightly underwhelmed. Yet I want to be positive. Discrimination exists and it shouldn’t. As a father of a young girl, who is being taught she has the power to do anything she wants to do in the future, I am far from being a reactionary male chauvinist pig. I am not convinced that books like this, which purport to show you how “… to claim power and respect, conquer your internal barriers, and change the world by helping other women do the same” are the solution and saviour they promise. They might be harmless, yet they are not as multifaceted and ground breaking as they would like to believe they are.
Not everything is bad. Some of the book had interesting bits and pieces but boy, did it feel padded and slow to boil in rather a lot of places! One doesn’t think that things are that different in the United States - land of the free - compared to how things are in Europe. Is this really true in 2015? “Yet, for many of us (women) our relationship with power continues to be fraught with insecurity, ambivalence, and confusion. We want it but do not know how to get it and are afraid to admit we seek it. When we have it, we hide it. We are often afraid to use it because our society punishes powerful women in subtle and not-so-subtle ways,” notes the author. Is this reviewer somehow punishing a powerful, successful woman in a not-so-subtle way? Unlikely.
Certainly as a male the success of women doesn’t make me feel threatened. On the contrary! Strong, successful, confident and equal women can – and are – the successful wives, girlfriends and mothers of successive generations. They are the educators, employers and politicians who help steer our future. There is inequality in society on many levels and it is great to reduce this wherever possible. More can be done, undoubtedly, but it is not as this book will be an accelerant of change. It gives a view but it no more speaks for the majority of womankind than does the assumption that most women like pink, glittery, fluffy things. Many positively hate it.
The book could do much more to highlight the problem. It was genuinely a shock to learn that women's rights are not yet protected under the U.S. Constitution. Many countries have an appalling record concerning their treatment of women. Yet look up to the U.S. for true inspiration and what do you see? What reason can there be for not having equality enshrined in the Constitution? Other amendments have been made for much less.
I was expecting a lot more from this book – if nothing else as material to underline my desire to teach my daughter to be independent, strong and focussed. I felt underwhelmed and that is a great shame. It might work for you (whatever your sex) if you need the kind of book that has to spell out everything in overly simplistic, rah-rah-you-can-do-it terms. It is harmless, it is inexpensive but it could just have been much more…
Leading Women: 20 Successful Women Share Their Secrets to Leadership, Business, and Life, written by Nancy D. O'Reilly and published by Adams Media Corporation. ISBN 9781440584176, 256 pages. YYY
October 5, 2016
After the electric response to Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In, 20 women leaders in business came
together to publish a more practical guide for women to create a career and life they love. While
a great starting point, according to author Nancy D. O’Reilly, Lean In does not exactly provide
concrete action for women to take to realize their full potential as business leaders with a vibrant
life. She calls on the expertise of bestselling authors, advocacy leaders, televisions hosts, and a
variety of others to provide women with a roadmap to excel in their careers while never losing
sight of their families and personal fulfillment.
By dividing the book into three parts with a selection of essays for each, anyone can learn how to
seize opportunities and ensure that they are going after their professional aims with purpose. The
first part address the unique external environment women must operate in, where there are
certain expectations and requirements to do well. From the challenge of being seen and heard in
a professional setting to the cultivation of inherently soft skills, the essays illustrate the steps
women can take to thrive. The second part deals with the internal environment and the dialogue
women keep with themselves that can either aid or hinder their performance. Finally, there is a
call to action for women to support one another and to understand each other’s leadership
capabilities.
The actions and mindset of these women demonstrate the variety of leadership styles that can
emerge. Through each essay it becomes clear that there is no one type of good leader, but rather
common core characteristics which can be manifested in different ways. This is a freeing
mindset which allows the reader to contemplate his or her own natural tendencies and understand
how to leverage them to their fullest potential. This conversation on women leadership continues
to heighten awareness that a woman can be powerful without sacrificing her femininity.
together to publish a more practical guide for women to create a career and life they love. While
a great starting point, according to author Nancy D. O’Reilly, Lean In does not exactly provide
concrete action for women to take to realize their full potential as business leaders with a vibrant
life. She calls on the expertise of bestselling authors, advocacy leaders, televisions hosts, and a
variety of others to provide women with a roadmap to excel in their careers while never losing
sight of their families and personal fulfillment.
By dividing the book into three parts with a selection of essays for each, anyone can learn how to
seize opportunities and ensure that they are going after their professional aims with purpose. The
first part address the unique external environment women must operate in, where there are
certain expectations and requirements to do well. From the challenge of being seen and heard in
a professional setting to the cultivation of inherently soft skills, the essays illustrate the steps
women can take to thrive. The second part deals with the internal environment and the dialogue
women keep with themselves that can either aid or hinder their performance. Finally, there is a
call to action for women to support one another and to understand each other’s leadership
capabilities.
The actions and mindset of these women demonstrate the variety of leadership styles that can
emerge. Through each essay it becomes clear that there is no one type of good leader, but rather
common core characteristics which can be manifested in different ways. This is a freeing
mindset which allows the reader to contemplate his or her own natural tendencies and understand
how to leverage them to their fullest potential. This conversation on women leadership continues
to heighten awareness that a woman can be powerful without sacrificing her femininity.
October 17, 2016
As a young woman currently going into the business world. I am majoring in business currently this book seemed right up my alley. I need all the help I can get! This is a non-fiction, borderline self help book.
When I first picked up this book I thought it was going to be a "empowering women, emasculating men" book, but it wasn't. It features really great messages about success stories from nationally acclaimed women, with out being male bashing.
This book will make you aware that discrimination exist still even though it is 2016, come on people we are all human, women have the power to do anything.
Leading Women, is a collection of pulled together leadership tips that will open a conversation about the workplace and women's places in it. It will inspire you to be a better, more positive person. It encourages you to take risks, and if you fail, learn how to accept the consequences. No one pushed you to try so no one is at fault but you if you fail.
I have to admit that this book completely excited my expectations. I really thought this book would underwhelm and be completely boring honest. I really found that the discussions in this book, will change my life in so many ways.
I encourage every woman to check out this book, regardless of your place in the workplace or not. It is a book that will inspire everyone.
Disclaimer I received this book in exchange for an honest and completely unbiased review. All thoughts, opinions, and such are my own.
When I first picked up this book I thought it was going to be a "empowering women, emasculating men" book, but it wasn't. It features really great messages about success stories from nationally acclaimed women, with out being male bashing.
This book will make you aware that discrimination exist still even though it is 2016, come on people we are all human, women have the power to do anything.
Leading Women, is a collection of pulled together leadership tips that will open a conversation about the workplace and women's places in it. It will inspire you to be a better, more positive person. It encourages you to take risks, and if you fail, learn how to accept the consequences. No one pushed you to try so no one is at fault but you if you fail.
I have to admit that this book completely excited my expectations. I really thought this book would underwhelm and be completely boring honest. I really found that the discussions in this book, will change my life in so many ways.
I encourage every woman to check out this book, regardless of your place in the workplace or not. It is a book that will inspire everyone.
Disclaimer I received this book in exchange for an honest and completely unbiased review. All thoughts, opinions, and such are my own.
January 1, 2015
Leading Women pulls together the how-to’s of leadership from today's most prominent voices on the topic. Learn to enter the conversation and stick with it to the end. Create a healthier, more positive you. Take risks and accept the consequences.
This collection exceeded my expectations. I thought any book offering advice on how to become a stronger leader with 20 sources would become repetitive. However, I found that each discussion made me look at my life from a different angle.
How do I see myself? When do I take risks? Do I back down when confronted or interrupted? Am I living in the moment? Is my communication effective? How can I live my passion and become a stronger mentor?
This was a perfect read for the New Year. My list of resolutions has tripled!
This collection exceeded my expectations. I thought any book offering advice on how to become a stronger leader with 20 sources would become repetitive. However, I found that each discussion made me look at my life from a different angle.
How do I see myself? When do I take risks? Do I back down when confronted or interrupted? Am I living in the moment? Is my communication effective? How can I live my passion and become a stronger mentor?
This was a perfect read for the New Year. My list of resolutions has tripled!
July 25, 2016
I'm always looking for ways to improve my confidence and strategies to navigate a male-dominated industry. This book gave me lots of inspiration to keep on the path I'm going and to persevere through days when it feels like I can't get it right. There are lots of good ideas here for ways to stay fulfilled in your career as well as strategies for owning your tasks - how to be heard in meetings, to keep your ideas from being stolen, to increase your confidence, etc. This almost felt like a devotional but for careers - good light reading before bed that will help steer you towards a strong career.
January 18, 2015
It was inspiring and reassuring for anyone who has been made to feel like they weren't on the right path because of their gender. Before reading this I was resigning myself to not using the specific degree I'm working towards but just to have the diploma. I feel hopeful that I can work in a male dominated industry and be a role model to other people in my field.
August 12, 2015
Review at Beverages and Books
http://beveragesandbooks.com/?p=343
http://beveragesandbooks.com/?p=343
August 29, 2016
Well written and outstanding information. Well documented and researched.
April 17, 2017
This book gave me a whole new life. I truly recommend it to every woman who feels they lack a bit of confidence.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews