Leading Gracefully: A Woman's Guide to Confident, Authentic & Effective Leadership

by Monique Svazlian Tallon

In 2016, women still hold a shockingly low 14% of top executive positions in the Fortune 500. Trying to get ahead while operating in a man's world, women continue to face immense challenges, constantly being told how to navigate these treacherous waters in a myriad of ways. Yet the gender gap persists.

While working for a tech giant in Silicon Valley, the author was faced with a tough decision--should she lead like her male counterparts or try a different approach? This choice gained her unique insights into how women can break through gender bias and become far more effective as leaders, while helping close the gender gap.

In Leading Gracefully, Feminine Leadership expert and executive coach, Monique Tallon, presents neuroscience research that tells us that women's brains are wired for empathy, intuition and collaboration, the same qualities people are looking for in their leaders today.  Through her extensive research, she has developed a visionary roadmap for women-The Feminine Leadership Model--that plays squarely to women's strengths.

Whether you are a senior level executive, a mid-career manager or just starting out, Leading Gracefully is a must-read for women who want to get to the next level in their career and life. Through personal stories and those of female executives and entrepreneurs from the world of technology, science, retail and non-profits, you will learn how to successfully use 'feminine' strengths combined with traditional traits to breakthrough gender bias. Use it as self-coaching 'how-to' guide, with 15 powerful exercises, tips and resources you can apply right away to gain more confidence, authenticity and effectiveness. Are you ready to to be an inclusive leader, fostering innovation and collaboration on the teams and businesses you manage? Are you ready to be a game changer?

Genres: Leadership, Business, Nonfiction

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2016

Reviews

[Nicolene Murdoch · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are so many women writing, publishing and speaking about female leadership. Some of them phenomenal and inspiring. If you want to venture into this, you should really have something new to contribute or be creative about how to present it. This book did not contain anything new or original, and I struggled to get through it, hoping there is more to come. A good read if you are new to literature in this area.

[Penny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really a 1.5. And didn’t finish. Became disenchanted after the first 4 chapters.

I tried to be very reflective about whether my experience—privileged in comparison with those in the book—colored me reading. I have never felt disrespected or undervalued because I am a cisgender woman. But I’ve also never aspired to climb higher than where I am right now (I love where I am and what I’m doing!!), so maybe it’s because I haven’t run into those negative experiences. But I can’t be so glass half empty as to automatically assume my experiences would be negative.

But regardless of why I struggled with the book, the new agent, embrace your sexual chakra turn was my first turn off. Then the suggestion that men’s leadership characteristics are at the center while women’s are discreet and surrounding... that’s when I abandoned hope that I’d get any inspiration or practical advice from this book.

[McKenzie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was our businesswomen-in-leadership book group's regrettable selection. I hesitated to donate it to charity, rather than place it in the recycling bin after I finished reading it. Very light-to-absent in informed or personal examples. The author has very limited experience in leadership roles, no longer works in business, and doesn't have a psychology background. References to "angry feminists" give the impression that she hasn't worked with women in leadership roles before. Includes exercises, some of which are very "woo-woo." Themes include collaboration and empathy. Rambling. The writing quality is similar to self-published PDF books on Amazon.

[Sarah Jensen]

Book Review: Leading Gracefully: A Woman’s Guide to Confident, Authentic & Effective Leadership by Monique Svazlian Tallon

In Leading Gracefully: A Woman’s Guide to Confident, Authentic & Effective Leadership, Monique Svazlian Tallon offers a comprehensive and insightful roadmap designed to empower women on their leadership journeys. This book is not just a guide; it is a compelling manifesto advocating for a leadership style that is authentic, confident, and distinctly feminine. Tallon draws on her extensive experience in leadership coaching, providing readers with practical tools and strategies to navigate the complexities of leadership in a male-dominated landscape.

Summary and Key Themes
Tallon’s book is structured around several pivotal themes that resonate with both aspiring and established female leaders:

Authentic Leadership: Tallon emphasizes the importance of authenticity in leadership. She argues that true leadership comes from being genuine and true to oneself, suggesting that women should embrace their unique qualities and perspectives rather than conforming to traditional leadership norms.

Confidence and Presence: A significant focus of the book is on cultivating confidence and a commanding presence. Tallon offers actionable tips for women to develop their confidence, encouraging them to speak up, take up space, and assert their ideas in both professional and personal settings.

The Power of Connection: Tallon underscores the value of building relationships and networks. She illustrates how collaborative and supportive networks can enhance women’s leadership experiences, providing a sense of community and shared purpose that is crucial for personal and professional growth.

Navigating Challenges: The author provides strategies for women to confront and overcome the challenges they face in the workplace, including implicit bias and gender stereotypes. By openly addressing these issues, Tallon equips readers with the tools to effectively navigate them and emerge stronger.

Graceful Leadership: Central to Tallon’s thesis is the idea of leading with grace. She advocates for a leadership style that incorporates empathy, understanding, and emotional intelligence. This approach not only fosters a positive workplace culture but also enhances team effectiveness and morale.

Critical Analysis
Monique Svazlian Tallon’s writing is engaging and accessible, making Leading Gracefully a valuable resource for women at various stages of their leadership journeys. Her blend of personal anecdotes, research, and practical advice creates a rich narrative that resonates with readers. The book’s tone is empowering, encouraging women to embrace their leadership potential with confidence and grace.

One of the strengths of Tallon’s work is her focus on actionable strategies. Each chapter includes practical exercises and reflective questions that prompt readers to apply the concepts to their own lives, enhancing the book’s utility as a guide for personal development. Additionally, her emphasis on the importance of community and connection is particularly relevant in today’s increasingly collaborative work environments.

However, while the book provides a strong foundation for understanding women’s leadership, some readers may seek a deeper exploration of intersectionality—specifically, how race, class, and other identities intersect with gender in leadership contexts. A broader discussion on these dimensions could enhance the applicability of Tallon’s insights to a more diverse audience.

Conclusion
Leading Gracefully: A Woman’s Guide to Confident, Authentic & Effective Leadership is a vital resource that speaks to the heart of women’s leadership challenges and aspirations. Monique Svazlian Tallon successfully combines inspiration with practical guidance, urging women to lead authentically and with confidence. This book is highly recommended for aspiring leaders, professionals seeking personal growth, and organizations aiming to foster inclusive leadership cultures. It serves as an empowering call to action for women to step into their leadership roles and effect positive change in their environments.

[Vicki · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just could not get into this book. I felt that even though it was written in 2016, the messages were from a bygone era. Maybe it's my age, or maybe it's the fact that I work in IT or maybe it's the fact that I never worried about my gender as part of my work persona, but the messages here in most of the chapters did not resonate with me.

The one chapter I did enjoy was the chapter on Empathy - this was one chapter that *did* resonate and had some messages that I thought were useful.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good advice and information

I enjoyed the book. No new concepts for me but good to read them through the authors perspective and eyes. Love the encouragement overall and roadmap.

[Felita Simmons Moran · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actually disappointed in some of the advice.

[Kelsey Hullman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don’t read plz