The Glass Wall: Success strategies for women at work and businesses that mean business

by Sue Unerman, Kathryn Jacob

Never mind the glass ceiling. In the workplace today there's a glass wall. Men and women can see each other clearly through the divide, but they don't speak the same language or have the same expectations. And as a result, women and their careers are suffering.

With more women than ever in the workforce, but still too few in the boardroom, now is the time to address the assumptions and miscommunication holding women back. This book gives women the tools they need to master any situation. Drawing on Unerman and Jacob's own experience in male-dominated businesses, as well as over a hundred interviews with both men and women, The Glass Wall provides clear, smart and easy-to apply strategies for success. From unlocking ambition and developing resilience to nurturing creativity and getting noticed, these are the skills that everyone needs to learn to help break down that wall and create better workplaces for all.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Feminism, Self Help

288 pages, Paperback

Published October 25, 2016

Reviews

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book that shouldn't just be for women - men need to read this too. Each chapter has a section for advice for managers as well. The real-world examples help put the strategies into things you can visualise.
It may be cheesy but this book really has changed my life.

[Rhiannon D'Averc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting book with good strategies. I wonder if any of the advice will change in a post-metoo world but I did find a lot of useful advice. I've started applying for jobs if I'm at least 50% qualified! My criticism is that there is a lot of repetition and the structure was quite confusing - I had to just read it like a normal book and ignore the flow chart part.

[Hayley Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had mixed feelings about this book. On the whole I think it has some useful advice and tactics. The main thing that bothered me was the lack of representation and intersectional thinking - most of the roles and companies were in corporates like marketing, technology, finance etc. so not sure how applicable the advice would be in other settings. For some women it’s not just their gender at play, there’s cultural, ethnicity, health etc issues and this needs to be considered when positioning advice. Maybe a follow up book exploring this?

[Rosie Atkinson-Willes · Rating 5 out of 5]

So inspirational I’ve insisted my whole team read it

[Rai · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book starts by stating that women shouldn’t have to simply ‘act like men’ to get by in the workplace and then takes seven chapters to explain what the men are doing and how women should do it too. Particular faves include ‘don’t cry at work’ and ‘don’t sleep with the men in your office’. Lots of ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’ in relation to toxic behaviour from men. Far too much info on how to get along with the status quo than how to change things.

It’s directed towards the corporate world and mentions ‘getting to the board’ as a career goal often. Not a lot of info I could apply to my own career. The authors justified toxic masculinity in a ‘this I just the way things are’ kind of way and didn’t even suggest going to HR as an option when talking about bullying. At one point the authors describe clear sexual harassment as ‘being undermined by the chaps’. Not my fave.

[Mustafa Hussain · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book starts really well, outlining the issues about only a small number of women reaching boardroom level.

However I feel this book demonstrates how far things have come in the workplace over the last 10-15yrs. Yes there is gender bias & pay inequality - but if you watch reality shows like the apprentice, women are very competitive & do succeed.

The advice & strategies provided, are all standard stuff from leadership & motivational books.

But I’m a bloke, writing this review.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was published the year I entered the workforce full time. There are a few scenarios and tips which are a tad outdated (especially post-pandemic) and would need a refresh but most of this advice can still be applied to working practices today. I love how this offers advice for those on the way up as well as those in senior positions. Enjoyed tips like “feel the fear - then do it anyway”, speak early in meetings, it’s not always about hogging the limelight but how you work in the team.

[Lilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books picks up right where Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In ends.

Detailed review to follow soon.

[Charlotte Woffindin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great advice and suggestions for women at work. The case studies are really relate-able and the advice easy to apply

[Abigail · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really tough read. At first I thought it would be inspiring but it quickly turned into a ‘how to be a man’ guide. I feel more behind the glass wall than I did before.

[Nirali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has some good advice. Reading the stories of actual women was very intersting. However some of the advice was wishy washy.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really makes you think about yourself and what is going on around you, it gives lots of practical advice for women in the work place but really covers life in the workplace and inclusivity.
This book is for everyone, it is not just because you are having problems, although it does give tips and advice on this too. I am lucky at work but I still intend to carry out some of this advice and be more brave and make mistakes and let others around me do the same. The advice in the book makes you think about being a better version of yourself.
I highly recommend reading this.

[Obi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book refers to the differences between men and women in how they communicate, think and behave. The book looks at this divide and how it prevents women from achieving their full potential in the work place. It really makes you think about yourself and what is going on around you, it gives lots of practical advice for women in the work place but really covers life in the workplace and inclusivity.

It presents 41 (some overlapping) strategies that are a satisfying mixture of modifying your behaviour and being true to yourself. Depending on each reader type, strategies are split over 7 chapters that represent areas of the male-female divide, usually supported by well-grounded studies.

However, only one thing I disliked about the book was the beginning scene is too long. In fact there are foreword, preface and then intro sections. I literally felt like loosing patience waiting for the book to start giving me actual strategies.

All in all, the book was definitely an addictive, fun and relatable read. Must read for any working woman or leaders who are looking at boosting inclusivity in their organisations.

[Rachel Ashong-quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has become my new bible for navigating the corporate male dominated environment. It's written in a matter of fact style that gets straight to the point and easy to use for quick reference.

[Rachel Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fundamentally I enjoyed this... as much as you can enjoy a leadership and management book! The personal stories bring it to life and the way the chapters are laid out make the key messages land.

I found the focus on working Mothers a little much, not all working women are Mums (yet) but I guess my view of that will change one day. As a middle/ senior level manager I found the insights ‘on the way up’ and ‘from the top’ helpful.

I think I’ll come back to it when difficult scenarios arise.

I am glad I read it and think I learned a lot.

[Anasuya Das · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good. The case studies are great ways to showcase what theyre actually talking about. The short summaries regarding key takeaways are very helpful