The Athena Doctrine: How Women (and the Men Who Think Like Them) Will Rule the Future

by Michael D'Antonio John Gerzema, Michael D'Antonio, Jeff Woodman (Reading)

New York Times Bestseller



How feminine values can solve our toughest problems and build a more prosperous future



Among 64,000 people surveyed in thirteen nations, two thirds feel the world would be a better place if men thought more like women. This marks a global trend away from the winner-takes-all, masculine approach to getting things done. Drawing from interviews at innovative organizations in eighteen nations and at Fortune 500 boardrooms, the authors reveal how men and women alike are recognizing significant value in traits commonly associated with women, such as nurturing, cooperation, communication, and sharing. The Athena Doctrine shows why femininity is the operating system of 21st century prosperity.



• Advocates a new way to solve today's toughest problems in business, education, government, and more
• Based on a landmark survey and results from Young & Rubicam's respected Brand Asset Valuator's global survey, as well as on-the-ground interviews in 18 countries
• From acclaimed social theorist, consumer expert, and bestselling author, John Gerzema, and award-winning author, Michael D'Antonio



Brought to life through real world examples and backed by rigorous data, The Athena Doctrine shows how feminine traits are ascending—and bringing success to people and organizations around the world. By nurturing, listening, collaborating and sharing, women and men are solving problems, finding profits, and redefining success in every realm.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Feminism, Leadership, Womens, Politics, Philosophy

MP3 CD

First published March 11, 2013

Reviews

[Reid Mccormick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over the past couple of years, I have become increasingly interested in the topic of women and leadership thanks in large part to my amazing wife. My wife is definitely a leader. People seem to warm up to her almost immediately, but things are far from perfect for her. Unfortunately, I have personally witnessed my wife being treated differently simply because she is a woman. It is incredibly frustrating to see a colleague treat her differently than they would treat me. I physically feel the frustration in my gut.

Now being a father to a beautiful baby girl, I am even more committed to understanding the cultural frustrations of women today.
I saw The Athena Doctrine at a conference and it looked quite interesting but to put it simply, The Athena Doctrine was not what I expected.
I don’t think the book was poorly written, I just did not understand why the authors decided to do a study attributing certain characteristics to a specific gender. On top of that, I did not find much value in that initial study.

I think our educated society knows the right answers, but putting them into play is the difficult part. We can ask the question: Are men and women equal in their abilities? Most Americans would say yes, however reality says something different. Thus, the study says feminine leadership qualities will be the future, but will reality say the same thing?

Again, I don’t dislike this book. I found the chapters interesting. I even did research on Iceland’s Constitution after reading about it in this book. However, the “crowdsourced” constitution described in the book actually failed and has never been adopted, which led me to question the rest of the stories included.

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

Got half way through it and don't care for it enough to finish it. While many of the international projects or business models were interesting- I didn't agree with their premise that they were somehow inherently "feminine". Even the parts that were interesting, were anecdotal, and thus did not contain enough "meat" to really glean much from.

[Dane Cobain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: While I aim to be unbiased, I received a copy of this for free to review.

I have to give the authors credit here - I disagreed with a fundamental principal of the book, and yet I still immensely enjoyed it. Loosely speaking, the Athena Doctrine is the theory that women and the men that think like woman will lead the way in to a brighter and better future where people work together for a common good.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure if I disagree with the classifications of which traits are masculine and which traits are feminine - they don't match up with my own experience, and I think that assigning genders to character traits is a dangerous game. That said, the author's did it fairly, asking survey respondents to assign traits to either one gender or another.

And they needed some way to do it, because I agree that the character traits that they opted to focus on are great attributes for a leader to have, whether they're a CEO, a politician or an entrepreneur. The authors have backed their argument up with countless case studies from around the world, and it's eloquently put by two talented writers. It's just difficult to get in to a book if you're not sure whether you agree with the central concept.

That said, I do think it's well worth reading this if you're a businessman who wants to change the world and the workplace for the better. Just take it with a pinch of salt (as you always should) and use this book for its true purpose - to inspire you to make the world a better place.

[Cathy Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite interesting. The authors identify a list of social traits that are usually/traditionally associated with women as opposed to a set of traits usually/traditionally associated with men. Then they look at current economic development & governance in a wide range of countries & cultures which embody the feminine methods & aims (Athena Doctrine) to underscore their assertion that the world will be a better, healthier, more equitable place as "feminine thinking" gains adoption over masculine thinking.
It's not fool proof, but it is worth examining, and frankly, how could feminine thinking make the world worse than it has been under masculine thinking?
I still need to look up a couple of the footnotes.
I'm NOT a man-basher, but I will admit that I am hypersensitive to machismo & general gorilla like chest thumping. When I witness it, it brings out the snark in me.

[Lane Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading a lot about inequality lately. What I liked about this book is the real-life stories that breathe life into some of the more academic theories about where we stand now in a world increasingly disillusioned by big business and government involvement - often run in a typically masculine or ego-driven style.
At times the Athena Doctrine is heartwarming in its bringing together of stories of people making a difference in the world. Drawing together research results that demonstrate a changing leadership environment and a generational shift towards more transformative and socially conscious business and social ventures.

Having read Sheryl Sandbergs Lean In recently - the Athena Doctrine adds some research weight to a very hot topic in an accessible way.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great research on the traits valued in men and women, what really counts for leadership, and what male and female traits all of us need. Then...lots of examples from around the world of individuals and organizations that demonstrate the more feminine. After the research summary, I was expecting far different content...

[Brooke Conder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I understand the intention behind this book, but its execution fell flat for me. There were a few chapters that stood out for me significantly (namely Iceland and the chapter on Sweden, Germany, and Belgium, specifically when it spoke to gender-neutrality), and I did enjoy learning aspects of the individual countries/regions overall.

[Cheri · Rating 1 out of 5]

The publishers of this book should be ashamed. Not only is the research on which the "Athena Doctrine" is supposedly founded awful from a scientific perspective, the presentation of the data is also poor and inappropriate for the intended audience. How do you have a book about feminine values in the workplace and only show male viewpoints on the graphs? As the case study section began, none of the supposed Athena principles of leadership that were outlined in chapter one seemed to ever be mentioned again (or certainly the case studies were not grouped by trait nor were specific traits pointed out in their studies). It was just supposed to be enough for us to see that women were successful owners of companies and the theory (which was supposed to be the premise of the book) was conveniently forgotten--I'm assuming when they couldn't jam every female entrepreneur into this mold.

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciate the intention behind this book, but had an issue with the way that it was presented. By making character traits inherently sexual (i.e. male or female), it makes it harder to "break the mold". I liked the highlight they gave to the gender-neutral preschool in Sweden, but the book essentially contradicted that by making character traits inherently related to one's gender. Again - appreciate the intention, but not the execution.

[Sue Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book but not exceptional. As I read further into the book, I found it to be less about distinguishing the masculine vs feminine behaviours, and more about individuals who took advantage of technology and social media to address an immediate local problem, and improve quality of life for small groups of people, that are outlined in the case studies. If you're short on time, flip to the back of the book and read the appendix, it's a good synopsis.

[Cindi Kerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched. Thought provoking. Not your usual "women are better at leading than men" diatribe. The book takes a world-view of the "what got us into this won't get us out of it" premise. Not nearly as dry as I'd expected, this book is easy to read and follow. Not just for MBA's but for anyone who is raising children to thrive in the future.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure that the book proves (or even remembers) its own premise. There were interesting stories and ideas that made one think about, and hope for, the future of business in a positive light. It reminded me of a series of Readers' Digest articles.

[Tyr · Rating 1 out of 5]

I took a phenomenally long time to complete this book, and was glad that I had borrowed it from a library instead of wasting good money by purchasing it from the bookstore. Besides the glaring grammatical errors, the book cannot be held as a creditable source of information for any particular industry. Using research and data collection techniques that are dubious at best, the book is written in a feel-good manner that combines weak analysis of dated companies in tandem with learning anecdotes from enterprises that they have deemed unique and compliant with qualities that can be attributable to the feminine side. Termed by the authors as the titular Athena Doctrine- qualities that are inherently female and essential to building the foundations to a better and sounder society or corporate structure- a decision as written by male authors and an inordinately large pool of male survey participants. Most of these case studies are now defunct or tottering along behind other companies and industries for a number of years, making them seem more like a group of case studies that refute the soundness of the author’s Athena Doctrine.

Ironically, as if to provision a forewarning for the weak premise of their book- the showcasing of feminine traits in contrast to masculine traits to enhance the productivity and progress of work- the authors added in their first interview experience of being severely berated by Ann Danylkiw, a doctoral candidate at Goldsmith College at the time of writing. She expressed her objections at calling traits “masculine” or “feminine,” and “voiced strong doubts” about the target audience of their book, as well as the issues that they were exploring with it.

Generic and sweeping statements such as that in Chapter 2’s opening introduction “Still, it’s hard to find anyone in Reykjavik who thinks that it was a mere coincidence that the guys who wrecked Iceland’s economy were all, well, guys,” litter the book and make it hard to read without first taking a deep breath to realign facts with statements. It becomes tenuously hard to believe that credible individuals as quoted on the book cover like Pat Mitchell, President and CEO of Paley Center for Media, Ann-Marie Slaughter, a professor of politics and international affairs at Princeton University and others, have deemed this an influential book with painstakingly researched and documented facts.

If the intention of picking up this book was to understand how to become the next Athena- the eponymous goddess of wisdom and war- in a modern world application, I highly suggest picking up another book instead.

[Helena Demuynck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly love the book "That’s "The Athena Doctrine: How Women (and the Men Who Think Like Them) Will Rule the Future" by John Gerzema and Michael D’Antonio is an engaging and thought-provoking book. By conducting a wide-ranging and worldwide survey, the authors discovered that people who integrate characteristics conventionally associated with femininity into their leadership style are more likely to be successful in the present complex and interconnected global arena, irrespective of their gender.

In the book, empathy, collaboration, and flexibility are among the traits highlighted as 'feminine' and also identified as critical leadership skills for the future. In today's world, it is becoming increasingly crucial to possess qualities that can match the evolving needs of our society. This means that being able to network, cooperate, and adjust to rapid transformations is vital for success.

This book offers an exciting, fresh perspective on leadership and challenges the traditional, patriarchal norms that have dominated our understanding of leadership for so long.
I highly recommend "The Athena Doctrine" as it has the power to deeply connect with female leaders who may have previously felt unsupported in their leadership approach. It affirms the value of the traits they innately bring to the table - such as empathy, collaboration, inclusiveness, and flexibility.

The book aligns well with what seems to work for the women leaders I coach. Its findings echo the experiences of my clients like Claire, who have found that embracing these traditionally 'feminine' qualities has enhanced their leadership effectiveness.
Claire is the CEO of a flourishing tech startup. When Claire initially came to me, she was wrestling with the competitive, high-octane style of leadership that is often the norm in her sector. It didn't resonate with her natural inclination towards empathy, mutual respect, and shared decision-making.

As we journeyed together in our coaching sessions, Claire started to embrace her authentic leadership style. She began fostering an atmosphere of openness and collaborative decision-making within her organization. This shift was very transformative. Her team became more engaged, their collective creativity and innovation surged, and, in turn, the company's performance improved significantly.

"The Athena Doctrine" is an enlightening read that supports women to thrive authentically in their leadership roles.

[Georgia Martine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a breath of fresh air in a time where the myth of the lone, billionaire genius is the dominant narrative of success.

It devotes a chapter per country and focuses on the unique viewpoint and struggles each culture has in this modern world, along with the (wholesome) success of a selection of citizens that the authors interviewed.

I was introduced to the Bhutan style of government and way of life for the first time, which has to be one of the most down-to-earth nations:

Change may be inevitable, but it can be met with certain immutable, positive values. Among the ones Bhutan seeks to preserve, said Karma, “are conservation of the natural environment, our sense of community, looking out for neighbors, and looking out for fellow countrymen.” Karma noted that these concerns are “soft” and “very conspicuously absent in the important considerations of most governments, who instead focus mostly on unemployment, stock markets, and stuff.”

I'm feeling optimistic for the future for the first time in about 10 years after finishing this.

[Bree Taylor]

A book club selection, The Athena Doctrine was dropped by our book club after the first few chapters.

I'm not sure if the book felt outdated only a few years after being published or that the authors seemed to be doing little but storytelling, but it just didn't speak to me at all.

I was irritated at the continued need to put things in masculine and feminine qualities - mostly because I would like to see them as human qualities rather than continue to place labels on these traits. But, there were 10 traits that were labeled in the introduction that they would cover. It wasn't until I was in chapter 3 that I realized that each country was supposed to exemplify a characteristic.

A dnf for me is extremely rare - but this book would just continue to be a time suck for me and I'd rather read things I'm more interested in. Or - at least where I can see the point the author is trying to make.

[Devin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Athena Doctrine by John Gerzema and Michael D'Antonio is a thought-provoking idea of what modern leadership really needs. The authors argue that traits traditionally seen as feminine are essential for success in today's leaders. Backed by a survey of 64,000 people worldwide, they show that feminine traits like connectedness, humility, and empathy are highly valued in leadership, success, and happiness. The stories of global leaders who embody these virtues are inspiring, proving that leading with empathy can create real, positive change.
While the book offers a powerful argument for embracing these traits, I wished it included more practical advice on how to develop or measure them in our own lives. Still, it’s an eye-opening read that encourages us to rethink what makes a strong leader and how we can foster trust, collaboration, and a brighter future.

[Rick · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book starts with a vignette wherein the authors explain their project to a female researcher and she advises them not to do it. I wish they had taken the advice. The authors don't seem to have any background in business, leadership, or any other relevant topic and don't even bother to connect the examples to their broader points.

I'm a believer in the argument expressed on the cover, and there's good science to support it, but this book doesn't deliver on that promise.

This might be the first one star review I've ever given, but it earned it.

[Metzi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time believing the authenticity of this book after they called the infamous Pablo Escobar as Carlos. No fact checks?
I also felt that although I knew this would be more qualitative in scope, it was more of a collection of too good to be true stories.

[kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensational read with lots of fantastic stories about women (and men who think like them) changing the world for the better. What a cool window into parts of the world we rarely get to hear about in America.

[Emily]

DNF'ed at 18%. I felt like the findings in the introduction were pretty basic/obvious and then the chapters looking at country-specific companies just didn't seem to add anything to my understanding of global gender inequity in leadership

[mz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting examples of innovative leadership around the world.

[Erin Matson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Essentializing, dated, patronizing. No thank you.

[Ewa · Rating 2 out of 5]

tytul obiecuje wiecej niz calosc dowozi, szkoda

[C.A.Topolewski,MD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audacious hope realized

Soul satisfying. GPS for the future success of a democracy. How to make lemonade from an over supply of lemons.

[Fatima Mamod · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the stories the authors share from their travels - impactful and highlights the Athena doctrine at play

[Niesha Steube · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reaching!

[ch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not just about women kicking butt and ruling the world. Many of the subjects of this book were not women. This is a really insightful and interesting book giving a survey of different projects, groups, businesses, and government entities that operate differently from the masculine norm and demonstrate how (especially in response to crises) a more feminine approach can be more successful. Gave me a lot to think about.

[Sheela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the concept of this book, and up until halfway through was actively recommending it to people. However, I think the book suffered from too many in depth examples in its pursuit to show the practice of Athena values worldwide. I was inspired but the Iceland and Israel chapters, but then it was an awkward transition to other European countries and then Asia. Of the Asian examples, I thought the one in Bhutan was the most impactful, but I had gotten bored by the time I made it there. Overall a well researched, scholarly or academic look of how feminine values in practice are essential.

[Udodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a very interesting read. I agree totally that the world needs more of a balance between masculine and feminine principles. I thought the authors did a fine job of presenting examples where cooperation, empathy, and other attributes that are considered feminine lead to a kinder, gentler world where everyone's need can be more closely met.

I had one minor complaint about how female African beekeepers were described. I thought it was patronizing and silly. But otherwise, this was a good read and I'm excited to see The Athena Doctrine at work more and more.