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Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office: Unconscious Mistakes Women Make that Sabotage their Careers, Revised 3rd Edition

Since 2004, Dr. Lois P. Frankel’s New York Times bestseller has been an essential resource for women seeking advice and empowerment to stop sabotaging their careers and get ahead in the workplace. This completely updated and revised vital new 3rd edition is everything a modern working girl needs to get what she wants.

We’ve leaned in, we’ve girl bossed, we’ve untamed, and it’s still challenging to be a woman at work. Though the workplace looks different than it did twenty years ago, women still face considerable challenges that men do not.

In this new 3rd edition of Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office, Dr. Lois P. Frankel teaches you how to reject the "nice girl" mentality, which manifests as a distinctive set of behaviors learned in girlhood that ultimately sabotage you as an adult, and still exists in today's modern workplace. Dr. Frankel provides tools and guidance for eliminating these unconscious mistakes that could be holding you back in your career. Mistakes such

Mistake #4: Believing Negative Self-Talk. Counter negative messages with positive ones.
Mistake #26: Fear of Coming Across too Strong. Don't dumb down, shut down, or tone down—be assertive!
Mistake #55: Poor Boundaries. If you're going to work from home, set boundaries.
Mistake #85: Doing Instead of Leading. Picking up others' slack becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You have the power to take control of your career without being controlling, to speak your mind while still being respected, and to chase your ambitions without fear or shame.

368 pages, Paperback

Published March 3, 2026

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About the author

Lois P. Frankel

29 books186 followers
Dr. Lois Frankel, President of Corporate Coaching International, a Pasadena, California consulting firm, literally wrote the book on coaching people to succeed in businesses large and small around the globe. Her books Nice Girls Don’t Get The Corner Office and Nice Girls Don’t Get Rich are international bestsellers translated into over twenty-five languages worldwide. Stop Sabotaging Your Career, a book based on her experiences as a pioneer in the field of business coaching working with everyone from CEOs to entry-level professionals, is a must-read for both men and women.

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5 stars
15 (23%)
4 stars
18 (28%)
3 stars
19 (30%)
2 stars
9 (14%)
1 star
2 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
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March 31, 2026
Not sure if it is due to Aus vs U.S. differences but this really was not for me. It felt like a lot of generalisations and sexism, with standards of expecting women to go above and beyond to succeed etc.

Some useful messages at times but largely just sad if that's how women in the U.S. have to live at work (and this is supposed to be an updated to the times edition!)

Read by audio and narrator was fine.
Profile Image for Julie Anderson.
165 reviews1 follower
March 7, 2026
Life is too short to read stuff that I roll my eyes at every other page. DNF'd at 31%. I learned two things from this book. First, DESCript. This was the only coaching tip that stood out to me in the first third of the book. Second, this book taught me there is no right way to do anything. All the mistakes contradict or muddle each other. Be assertive and speak up. But don't hog conversations. And don't make yourself dislikeable. Be friendly, but don't smile too much, because no one will take you seriously. And socialize with coworkers, but remember that the company owns your time and you should utilize all of that time and skip lunch breaks if company culture is to break your back. But know your worth. But also say "yes" to every project ever. I've beyond lost interest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
247 reviews
March 20, 2026
4.5 *** This books contains a great variety of tips and advice for women to take space and develop professionally. The tone and content feels like something a good mentor or a cool (professional) aunt might share. The new chapters on remote work and modern issues are helpful to keep things current. Some of the gender-based generalities and stereotypes felt uncomfortable and old-fashioned (such as tips on appearance or not playing into the role of the nurturer), but I can’t disagree because I’ve found them true to my experience.

As a mid-career millennial in lower management, this book is a helpful recitation of career tips a mentor might share. I wish I read this earlier in my career. Not everything will be applicable for every role or work place, or they might not work for your personality. But this is an excellent starting point for newer, women professionals, and highly recommended for new grads.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC for an honest review.
Profile Image for ❤️ Mandi Listens & Reads ❤️.
386 reviews26 followers
May 17, 2026
I picked this one up because I recently moved into a leadership position and on the lookout for ways to further my own professional development. I did find some of the messaging useful, and enjoyed some of the updated content speaking to the more modern work model and things like remote work, but had a hard time with some of the tone that felt a little stereotypical and outdated; the kids might call it a little “cringe”. Maybe I just don’t identify with the generalized concept that women are less than in the workplace, as the overwhelming majority of my professional world are women. I can see how some of the tips and tricks might be helpful to women newer to leadership in more business focus, or private sector work.
Profile Image for KP.
79 reviews2 followers
June 15, 2026
I feel like because this book was an originally written a long time ago, a lot has changed in this mindset.

There were updates made to combat some of this, but it honestly sounds like a book written by someone older who isn’t willing to change their mindset on how gender standards really have changed today. There were some good tid bits in there, but all in all I think there are better female written books about this topic.
Profile Image for Lia’s Library.
10 reviews1 follower
April 13, 2026
This was a banger. I learned so much from this as a 27 y/o just embarking on her career. Every woman should read this, I learned a lot but also felt validated when some of my perspectives that are taboo in my company culture were validated here. So glad I found this when I did. One of my favorite lines is, “Jump. The net will magically appear under you”.
Profile Image for LiteraryMarie.
840 reviews60 followers
May 21, 2026
"These are just vehicles that hold up a mirror in which you can see yourself and identify your opportunities for development." ~ 7%

Stop sabotaging your career and get ahead in the workplace! Yes, I am talking to you, Girl Boss. Ms. Untamed. Ms. Nice Girl. Ms. I Face Challenges that Men Do Not. Do I have your attention? Good. Then so should Dr. Lois P. Frankel.

In this new 3rd edition of Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office, Dr. Lois P. Frankel deep dives into unconscious mistakes women make that sabotage their careers. Key word is unconscious. We don't know how to reject the nice girl mentality. We manifest with the best of them but our behavior learned in girlhood could sabotage us as adults. This book will help to take control of your career, speak your mind while being respectful and respected, create a memorable brand, and get that corner office!

Mistake 82: Confusing Leadership with Management

This book (which I have dubbed as Corporate Nonfiction genre) begins with what's happened over twenty years for women in the workplace. We have come a long way but not far enough. Very quickly, the author establishes credibility. She is a former nice girl with kid gloves off. She's older with more insurance to double down on behaviors that impede workplace success.

It is a lot of valuable information within Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office. The author makes it easy to comprehend and points readers to the information most relevant. There is a self-assessment that will direct you to the unconscious mistakes you may make. I started with those chapters first then read the others for purposes of this book review. I confidently report it is spot on with advice I have already started to implement.

Mistake 77: Code-Switching

I've seen this book title floating through the Threads streets among professional women. I'm hopping on the bandwagon in highly recommending it to my C-suite friends and 9-5 baddies. I have highlights and annotations galore, along with passages I will revisit throughout my corporate career.

Happy Belated Pub to Dr. Lois P. Frankel! Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office: Revised 3rd Edition is officially on shelves.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie
Profile Image for Wulan Suci Maria.
159 reviews7 followers
May 31, 2026
I wish I had read this book 5 years ago!
What struck me the most is how many career limiting habits are not about capability, intelligence, or hardwork, but about unconcious behaviours that quietly hold us back. As women, many of us are taught to be helpful, agreeable, and humble. While these are valueables qualities, the workplace doesnt reward them in the way we expect.

Three lessons stood out for me:
1. Visibility matters as much as competence; Doing great work is important, but people need to know the value you bring. Impact that remains invisible is often overlooked.
2. Build relationships before you need them; I strongly agree with the author’s prespective on netowrking and reciprocity. Networking is not politics,it is about building genuine relationships, helping others, and creating mutual value over times.
3. Stop waiting for permissions. I used to wait untill I feel completely ready before taking the next step, then I realize growth comes after taking action, not before it.

This book also challenged me to rethink what it means to be "nice" at work. I definitely want to be known as a badass leader, not just someone who is nice, reliable, and hardworking.

This isn't a book I'll read once and forget. It's one I'll continue to revisit throughout my career as a reminder to speak up, take up space, and be intentional about my growth.

⭐ 4.5/5 — highly recommended for women at any stage of their career. #wulsread
Profile Image for Ava.
31 reviews1 follower
August 3, 2026
In the bookstore with my dad a few days after graduating from a Master's program:"Ava, do you want me to buy you this book?" (lol). After hesitating for a moment I said yes, because as I am in the process of job hunting and thinking deeply about the career I want to have, I knew I could use all the help I can get.

The book isn't fun to read, but it is easy and helpful. I think it contains a lot of good advice for people-pleasers of all genders. As a people-pleaser in recovery, this book has a lot of tips and illustrative stories for how to shift your behavior towards calm self-assurance, intentional connections, and leadership. She also uplifts the elements of feminine behavior that can contribute really positively to the workplace (i.e. emotional intelligence), while being realistic about how some of our worst tendencies can hold us back from satisfying careers (i.e. accepting bad treatment in the hopes of remaining likable).

She's also pretty upfront about how women's actions are perceived differently than men's, and acknowledges the unfairness of that while giving you practical advice on how to manage it. Lots of scripts, like if you're in XYZ situation, you can say something like ABC, which I why I think I will refer back to it in the future when I'm in a tricky situation at work
Profile Image for Deborah Samuel.
Author 1 book2 followers
August 13, 2026
I absolutely loved Lois P. Frankel’s book. It is one of those rare books that I have not only read, but returned to again and again. I have listened to the audiobook several times in the car, and each time I discover another piece of advice I can put into practice.

What I found especially valuable are Lois’s practical suggestions and conversation scripts. She doesn’t simply tell women to speak up, advocate for themselves, or “take a seat at the table”—she gives us the language and tools to actually do it.

Her examples are relatable, actionable, and empowering, particularly for those moments when we need to navigate a difficult conversation, establish our value, set a boundary, or confidently make our voices heard.

This is not a book you read once and put on the shelf. It is a resource you return to as your career and life evolve. Lois has an extraordinary ability to turn decades of wisdom into practical strategies that can be used immediately.

Highly recommended for any woman who wants to communicate with greater confidence, advocate for herself, and fully claim her seat at the table.
Profile Image for armadillark.
36 reviews
September 8, 2026
It took me quite some time to finish this book, mostly because I couldn’t fully relate to some of the topics. Still, I found several valuable lessons that resonated with me:

Don’t be a superwoman — effectiveness doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly or alone.
Learn on the job — many skills can be picked up through experience rather than mastered beforehand.
Embrace discomfort — feeling uneasy when trying something new doesn’t make you an impostor; it makes you human.
Keep an “atta-gal” file — documenting wins helps boost confidence and reminds you of your progress.
Welcome challenges — questions or pushback on proposals aren’t personal attacks but opportunities to strengthen ideas.
Volunteer for visibility — offering to present to senior management or lead high-profile projects can bring recognition and career rewards.

Overall, while not every chapter spoke directly to me, the book provided practical strategies to reframe how I see growth, confidence and leadership opportunities.
Profile Image for ElfElm Publishing.
97 reviews1 follower
June 10, 2026
​The "Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office" audiobook was executed well and the narrator is clear and concise. I enjoyed the moments of emotion and exasperation that came through during certain thoughts.

I was hoping for a better message throughout, personally and especially as a woman in business. This is an update to the author's book on the same topic of women being treated so much worse than men in the "professional" world, yet the research and stats were disheartening. I was hoping to rah-rah and celebrate, and while there seemed to be SOME minor improvement, I was left sad that this is the world we still live in. A gigantic message that women have to go above and beyond and work so much harder in all aspects. Argh. This is why I prefer fantasy over reality.

Thanks for the ARC! :)
361 reviews11 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 2, 2026
Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office by Lois P. Frankel is an oldie but goodie guide for career woman, to help women identify and avoid common unconscious mistakes women make in the workplace. This is the revised third edition with updates in context of the aftermath of COVID and the changes to the work environment since then. This book remains practical and relevant, with short and concise chapters and coaching notes. You may not agree with every tip and context matters, but I recommend this book to every career woman. As a mother of two girls, I liked the bonus chapter on raising a self-confident daughter.
I got the ARC from Grand Central Publishing | Balance via Netgalley. This is my honest review
Profile Image for Danielle Chance.
112 reviews1 follower
March 17, 2026
I tried to listen to this as an audiobook and unfortunately, I cannot finish. 

I'm interested in reading the physical book because I think the information is valuable but I've come to dislike the author by listening to her read it to me. 

She comes across as lecturing and tough to relate to. I think in our current climate, there is room for frank discussion within a professional setting and oftentimes the reality of the situation is less than diserable but the harsh nature of the narration has turned me off.

I truly do intend to pick up a hard copy of the book to take in bit by bit but do not see myself coming back to the audio.
Profile Image for Tori.
187 reviews
March 19, 2026
I listened to this as an audiobook, and Kitty does a great job narrating. I really appreciated how the author broke everything down into clear “rules” and then provided examples of how to apply them in real life.

Even though I’ve been in a professional workspace for 15 years, I still found the information valuable and relevant. I especially liked how the author modernized the content by including a chapter on working from home.

Overall, this book would make a great gift for any career-minded woman looking for guidance and support in her professional journey.

Thank you Net Galley for providing me with this ARC!
Profile Image for SplkdancerReviews.
303 reviews9 followers
May 15, 2026
Updated, post-COVID19 Pandemic version of the original.

Great reference for women in the workforce at every level. Definitely a perfect gift for a college graduate and something I wished I had read when I started working. The updates are good - some of the COVID specific examples are already starting to feel a little out of date, but the working from home and video call policies are a great inclusion for the modern employee.
Not every tip is relevant for everyone, but the author acknowledges this and encourages you to hop around and try things vs. trying to implement everything.

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley. This is my honest, unbiased review.
Profile Image for Marit.
65 reviews4 followers
April 5, 2026
Possibly more helpful on paper than in audio. I struggled to 86%, but did not manage to finish is. Maybe culture differences between US and Europe also makes it feel less relevant to me. Still maybe useful for people early in their career in the us setting.

I can see there may be useful tips here, but the audiobook and style didn’t really work for me. I also struggled with the style and voice of the narrator.

Audiobook advanced copy received via NetGalley.
Profile Image for Anna Schreier.
95 reviews
September 18, 2026
it was tough getting through this one, especially because there were so many contradictory statements. like: set boundaries and don’t tolerate repetitively working overtime or doing things outside of your job description, but also just doing your job is not enough and you always have to do more than what is expected. like huh?

there were some valuable lessons in this, but I think there‘s also a lot of outdated thinking in here since this was first published decades ago. not a favourite.
Profile Image for Lisa Davidson.
2,016 reviews30 followers
April 13, 2026
I thought the advice in this was great and I really enjoyed the no-nonsense narrator. I feel like I read a fair amount of advice books because people often don't treat others well in the workplace and it's important to not take it personally and try to make things better.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this audiobook

This is a review of the audiobook.
Profile Image for Jess | The_Afterword.
237 reviews25 followers
April 28, 2026
A quiz in the beginning helps you determine your weakest areas and guides you to those chapters. I thought that was a really unique way to interact with the reader in where to focus their attention. Definitely written for the modern working woman.
41 reviews
May 4, 2026
A straight DNF for me, I think this might be my first one. The book is absolutely terrible. Giving it 1 star because I cannot give it negative one.

The amount of internalized misogyny in this book is at an all time peak. The fact that there is 3 or more of these floating around is crazy to me.
45 reviews
May 19, 2026
I found great many insights from the book. Definitely reading again if needed.
Highly recommend for anybody who is struggling in the work place and not finding any solutions.
It is us women who support each other not other way around!
207 reviews3 followers
Did Not Finish
August 24, 2026
I didn’t realize how corporate this book would be. I can’t speak on the truth of the material, but I quickly realized it wasn’t at all relevant to me, and I stopped reading.

Thank you NetGalley for this ALC.
Profile Image for Holli Keel.
698 reviews8 followers
July 27, 2026
Useful info to go over, but some of it I just don’t agree with.
Profile Image for Claire.
29 reviews
April 4, 2026
Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office, Unconscious Mistakes Women Make that Sabotage their Careers is a career development book about the subtle habits and communication patterns that can quietly hold women back at work. The approach is practical self-advocacy: notice the behavior, name it, and make a small shift.

Best for: early-to-mid career professionals, high performers who feel overlooked, and managers who want shared language for coaching and mentoring.

A couple of things worth knowing before you start:

First, make sure you read the 3rd edition (2026). Frankel shares in the introduction that the content in this edition was heavily shaped by questions and feedback from her community, and it tackles some themes the earlier versions simply could not: remote work dynamics, always-on culture, and the particular pressures that come with being perpetually reachable.

Second, Frankel is the messenger, not the judge. Many of these "mistakes" are not inherently wrong. They just go unrewarded in a biased, still very unfair environment. She is offering suggestions for navigating a male-dominated corporate world. Take what you want and leave the rest.

Overall, this is a quick, enjoyable, and genuinely actionable read. I felt seen in several spots, and I came away with a clear sense of where I have room to grow.
246 reviews
March 30, 2026
This is an excellent book with tips and tricks to survive the corporate/work life. As I have 20+ years in this world, I've had to learn many of these the hard way and would have loved to know some of this when I started my career, however, I still find some of these useful. Would recommend to any woman starting her career or questioning her progress.

I received this copy from netgalley for my review.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews