Smashing Glass & Kicking Ass: Lessons from The Meanest Woman Alive

by Linda Smith

Ready to succeed as a woman in business? This is your playbook.
Women will never win by playing by men's rules and trying to "out-man the men" or "beat the men at their own game." It's time to change the rules by using our own playbook--capitalizing on our unique feminine superpowers as women--to become leaders in business. In Smashing Glass and Kicking Ass, Lessons from the Meanest Woman Alive, Linda Smith provides the action plan for women in all fields to reach their own pinnacles of success. After succeeding for decades in a cutthroat, male-dominated profession specifically by using her skills as a woman, Linda knows how to become a leader of men. Let her show you how.
Whether it's defeating gender stereotypes, conquering self-sabotage, acting with confidence, shutting down man-terruptions, stopping apologies and trying to be likeable, handling alpha males, dealing with sexual harassment, or seizing and holding on to leadership positions, Linda has done it all and come out on top by using her unique feminine advantages to dominate in business. Linda teaches women to shine and lead-not by leaning in or out-manning the men-but by capitalizing on the very things that make women different.
During her 40-year career, Linda has often tangled with out-sized male egos (Mick Jagger, Michael Dell, and Sumner Redstone), and with sexual harassment, without ever breaking stride. Her tenacity as a gladiator for her clients earned her the prodigious title of "The Meanest Woman Alive." Grab your copy today!

Genres: Nonfiction, Business

260 pages, Paperback

Published April 4, 2018

Reviews

[Dan]

I'm a bit biased as I worked closely with Linda to bring this book into the world. That said, I continue to be completely amazed by what a fantastic life Linda has lived and what a terrific leader and mentor she has revealed herself to be. I loved hearing about her run-ins with powerful men, how she defeated gender stereotypes, and how she forged her own path in a male-dominated world. (I won't ruin it for you, but there's one anecdote in particular about confronting a sexist judge in the early 2000's in Texas that has stuck with me.) She truly has written a playbook for women (and men) of all ages to follow to achieve professional success. I recommend this book for anybody starting out in the business world, anybody looking to move beyond their current professional plateau, or anybody who has a young woman in their life who could use some advice on how to overcome the Old Boy's Club by tapping into her own female "kick assets." I've already gifted copies to several important women in my life. You should do the same!

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[Ellen]

Smashing Glass & Kicking Ass: Lessons from The Meanest Woman Alive, by Linda Smith is a timely book that should be read by all women – in any profession, at any stage in their careers. Linda Smith provides and reinforces invaluable lessons in capitalizing on our innate yet distinctive skills and strengths (Emotional Intelligence), reminds readers to stop self-doubt (which can creep in at any level of experience as we all try to progress and take on new responsibilities and which often sabotages confidence and professional growth), and tells readers how to do this in a most entertaining, relatable way. Linda tells it likes she sees it and has lived it, and you can’t help but laugh and cry with her along the way. Her anecdotes will keep you riveted. Even if you have not experienced the situations she describes (some are fairly stunning or jaw dropping), there are still many recognizable characters in this book (pay attention Snowflakes). Mothers, read this book and then give it to your daughters. Better yet, buy a copy for each of you!

[Andrew. J]

The title definitely tells you what kind of book you're getting, and Linda Smith doesn't hold back. Smashing Glass & Kicking Ass is direct, confident, and unapologetically focused on helping women approach the workplace on their own terms.

I liked that the book doesn't simply repeat the usual advice about working harder, fitting in, or trying to compete by copying traditional male leadership styles. Smith argues for something different: recognizing qualities such as emotional intelligence, communication, confidence, and relationship-building as genuine sources of professional strength.

Some of her language and ideas are intentionally provocative, but that's part of what gives the book its personality. She's clearly trying to challenge assumptions rather than politely work around them. The sections dealing with self-sabotage, workplace power dynamics, sexual harassment, and navigating male-dominated environments add practical relevance to the larger message.

Whether you agree with every argument or not, the book encourages women to think more deliberately about how they use their strengths and how they respond to workplace expectations. It's energetic, empowering, and written with plenty of attitude.

A good pick for women looking for a confidence boost, a fresh perspective on leadership, or simply some motivation to stop playing by rules that were never designed with them in mind.

[Pam Venne]

This is a book about women empowerment I wish I had had when I was first in the workforce. Of course, Linda Smith was not yet born at that time. Her ability to read a room and utilize her powers of EQ to take charge and lead gave me lots to think about. She never let her tiny size matter. It was her brainpower, her EQ, and willingness to do what it took to go the extra mile to get things done that made the difference.

What a fabulous role model for women all over the world and in any business environment. Thanks, Linda, for sharing your street smarts and knowledge with humor and sharp wit to make points.

This is a book I will be giving to all of my mentees and clients who want to grow in their professions.