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Lift as You Climb: Women and the Art of Ambition
A dynamic guide to owning your ambition and striving for success in an ever-changing world, while helping others along the way.
'Practical and big-hearted... the New Testament for the sisterhood.' Cathy Newman
'A soul-stirring self-help guide.' RED
__________
Part self-help guide, part master class in survival skills for life and work, Lift As You Climb examines what sisterhood looks like today, asks what you can do to make things better for other women and considers how to do that without disadvantaging yourself.
It's the ultimate confidence bible for women planning careers in an ever-changing and uncertain world. And it addresses one of the biggest issues women face in the workplace - how to be ambitious without losing your sense of self. It must be possible, right?
Full of brilliant tips and invaluable insights, it's everything you need to know about making life better for yourself - without making it worse for others.
__________
Readers love Lift As You Climb:
***** 'Inspires and provokes thoughts about how you can move forward in your career.'
***** 'Supportive and reassuring.'
***** 'Uplifting and full of hope, and of course written with a great deal of humour.'
'Practical and big-hearted... the New Testament for the sisterhood.' Cathy Newman
'A soul-stirring self-help guide.' RED
__________
Part self-help guide, part master class in survival skills for life and work, Lift As You Climb examines what sisterhood looks like today, asks what you can do to make things better for other women and considers how to do that without disadvantaging yourself.
It's the ultimate confidence bible for women planning careers in an ever-changing and uncertain world. And it addresses one of the biggest issues women face in the workplace - how to be ambitious without losing your sense of self. It must be possible, right?
Full of brilliant tips and invaluable insights, it's everything you need to know about making life better for yourself - without making it worse for others.
__________
Readers love Lift As You Climb:
***** 'Inspires and provokes thoughts about how you can move forward in your career.'
***** 'Supportive and reassuring.'
***** 'Uplifting and full of hope, and of course written with a great deal of humour.'
240 pages, Hardcover
First published February 20, 2020
25 people are currently reading
787 people want to read
About the author
Viv Groskop
12 books188 followersViv Groskop is a writer, stand-up comedian and TV and radio presenter. She is the host of the chart-topping podcast HOW TO OWN THE ROOM, featuring women like Hillary Clinton, Margaret Atwood, Sandi Toksvig and Meera Syal talking about power, performance and public speaking. She has hosted book tours for Graham Norton and Jo Brand and is the veteran of four Edinburgh Fringe shows. She has presented BBC Radio 4's Front Row and Saturday Review and appears regularly on TV. She is also a playwright and has had four plays broadcast on BBC Radio 4. Subscribe to Viv's weekly newsletter here for book, TV and film recommendations and loads of great tips on writing creativity and mindset: https://howtoowntheroom.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 2, 2020
Another practical guide for women at work. I like how it’s not all stories and theory but contains practical applications as well.
July 6, 2022
2.5? This was fine. Didn't feel like much new information.
October 1, 2020
This book has made me re-evaluate my relationship with ambition. I no longer think ambition is a dirty word reserved for those who need to buy the latest car/phone/tech just to have it.
Viv Groskop is so straight talking but also positive and encouraging. This is like the book version of the term "community over competition" and I am a believer!
The time to cheerlead and to talk others up as well as ourselves is upon us. We can only change things by being a part of this. We need to throw our old ways in the bin and get talking about equality in a way that feels normal and comfortable, even if it doesnt at first.
I'm off to binge her podcast coz she's my new bff 😁
Viv Groskop is so straight talking but also positive and encouraging. This is like the book version of the term "community over competition" and I am a believer!
The time to cheerlead and to talk others up as well as ourselves is upon us. We can only change things by being a part of this. We need to throw our old ways in the bin and get talking about equality in a way that feels normal and comfortable, even if it doesnt at first.
I'm off to binge her podcast coz she's my new bff 😁
October 2, 2022
Reflections and lessons learned:
“… the haunting words of one of the employees who came forward in the Harvey Weinstein case ”I learned the social benefits of being deferential, polite and well behaved”. These behaviours are fine if they serve us. They are not fine if they work against us. Investigating where we sit with niceness in different situations is one way of lifting ourselves - it sets a boundary. I’m prepared to be nice up to a point… it’s also a way of lifting others…”
Ouch and wow… a fantastic insight into the female working world - males working against, females working against… a lot of relatable examples with some pieces of really useful, tangible advice along the way. I often try and strike a balance on topics like this, taking the mantra of one step closer to equality is always going to better (identify, discuss, invoke change and move on to the next genuine cause), but still equality doesn’t mean fairness in the workplace. This shows that we’re not alone in the simple fight of not having the feel the need to fight for common decency and respect in something that we all choose to participate in ✊
“… the haunting words of one of the employees who came forward in the Harvey Weinstein case ”I learned the social benefits of being deferential, polite and well behaved”. These behaviours are fine if they serve us. They are not fine if they work against us. Investigating where we sit with niceness in different situations is one way of lifting ourselves - it sets a boundary. I’m prepared to be nice up to a point… it’s also a way of lifting others…”
Ouch and wow… a fantastic insight into the female working world - males working against, females working against… a lot of relatable examples with some pieces of really useful, tangible advice along the way. I often try and strike a balance on topics like this, taking the mantra of one step closer to equality is always going to better (identify, discuss, invoke change and move on to the next genuine cause), but still equality doesn’t mean fairness in the workplace. This shows that we’re not alone in the simple fight of not having the feel the need to fight for common decency and respect in something that we all choose to participate in ✊
March 2, 2021
Lift As You Climb: Women and the Art of Ambition was a really insightful and fun audiobook to listen to. And since it was an audiobook let us first talk about the narrator - the author herself. Perhaps it is also the reason why the words and the emotion and intent behind the words reached out to me in the way they did.
For the longest time, we humans (and especially women) tend to perceive the word ambition in a very negative way - as if being ambitious is dirty and means you are an aggressive person hoping to reach the pinnacle of success by stepping on others. It is also the reason why we have for the longest time looked down upon Slytherins whose characteristics are those of ambition and leadership.
But it is time we change it - Ambition is not a bad word and we as women at work need to acknowledge it now. I loved how encouraging the author/narrator was and it was as if she and I were on a one-on-one session and I was learning so much.
I also loved that the audiobook contained so many practical guides as well apart from actual theories. I admit it made it so much more interesting, I think!
Lift As You Climb also talked about the need for women to empower each other. Sisterhood is a theory that we also need to implement in reality. The audiobook was also realistic in addressing the fact that not all women do this, and that not all men look down upon women colleagues. I think it was very good work on contemporary womanism, especially in the workforce.
Overall, I think it was a really apt time for me to have picked it up! I recommend you pick it up too as Women’s Day comes up soon on March 8. I enjoyed listening to this audiobook and learned so much too!
For the longest time, we humans (and especially women) tend to perceive the word ambition in a very negative way - as if being ambitious is dirty and means you are an aggressive person hoping to reach the pinnacle of success by stepping on others. It is also the reason why we have for the longest time looked down upon Slytherins whose characteristics are those of ambition and leadership.
But it is time we change it - Ambition is not a bad word and we as women at work need to acknowledge it now. I loved how encouraging the author/narrator was and it was as if she and I were on a one-on-one session and I was learning so much.
I also loved that the audiobook contained so many practical guides as well apart from actual theories. I admit it made it so much more interesting, I think!
Lift As You Climb also talked about the need for women to empower each other. Sisterhood is a theory that we also need to implement in reality. The audiobook was also realistic in addressing the fact that not all women do this, and that not all men look down upon women colleagues. I think it was very good work on contemporary womanism, especially in the workforce.
Overall, I think it was a really apt time for me to have picked it up! I recommend you pick it up too as Women’s Day comes up soon on March 8. I enjoyed listening to this audiobook and learned so much too!
December 18, 2021
The book in 3 sentences/summary:
How to climb as a woman in business, work and leadership.
How to then lift other women while you climb.
Why this is important.
My impressions:
Lift as You Climb is what it says it is, a feminist book about how to get further in life and business while also thinking about and lifting up the women around you.
It’s a matter-of-fact book written by a close friend who isn’t afraid to tell you like it is. Lift as You Climb covers everything from networking, to meetings, to competition and more.
It’s a pretty good book. It has plenty of practical applications and does serve as a reminder of the good we can individually do. I do however wish it had more case studies, examples and generally more information to make the book a little meatier.
Should you read it? (who would benefit from this):
If you’re generally interested in the concept of the book then give it a go. You’ll get some good tips that’s for sure.
What I personally got from the book:
A general reminder of how to put into practice the lifting part of the climb. One to work on!
How to climb as a woman in business, work and leadership.
How to then lift other women while you climb.
Why this is important.
My impressions:
Lift as You Climb is what it says it is, a feminist book about how to get further in life and business while also thinking about and lifting up the women around you.
It’s a matter-of-fact book written by a close friend who isn’t afraid to tell you like it is. Lift as You Climb covers everything from networking, to meetings, to competition and more.
It’s a pretty good book. It has plenty of practical applications and does serve as a reminder of the good we can individually do. I do however wish it had more case studies, examples and generally more information to make the book a little meatier.
Should you read it? (who would benefit from this):
If you’re generally interested in the concept of the book then give it a go. You’ll get some good tips that’s for sure.
What I personally got from the book:
A general reminder of how to put into practice the lifting part of the climb. One to work on!
February 16, 2021
Couldn't finish it, reminded article in cosmo magazine
June 21, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and found parts of it genuinely valuable. I wish I had read it in my early twenties. Much of the advice would have been incredibly useful back then.
In the farmed animal advocacy movement, the culture feels different from what the author describes. I rarely encounter things like mansplaining or “hepeating.” Maybe it’s because around 80% of our movement are women. There is definitely an intention to lift women up, even though there is probably more to be done. Because of that, some parts of the book felt less relevant to me now.
Still, I’m glad I read it. The chapters on ambition were especially thought-provoking. They helped me reflect on whether I’m truly going after what I want and what ambition looks like for me. The networking advice is solid, especially for people whose jobs don’t center around it. I liked the idea of knowing when to focus on your own progress (climb) and when to support others (lift). Each chapter ends with practical tips, which I appreciated.
Three ideas really stuck with me:
1. Handle rejection like a freelancer. Don’t take it personally and thank people for the feedback.
2. Be straightforward about what you need.
3. Create opportunities for yourself and for others.
The writing style is funny and easy to read. It made me laugh a few times. It reminded me of Work Like a Woman by Mary Portas. Both books explore gender and the workplace.
The main message here is that you shouldn’t feel obligated to lift other women just because you’re a woman. You can be intentional about who and how you support, which is something I already practice in my work because what we do is impact oriented.
Not everything in the book applied to me, but a lot of it did. I’m grateful for that. It gave me a lot to think about.
In the farmed animal advocacy movement, the culture feels different from what the author describes. I rarely encounter things like mansplaining or “hepeating.” Maybe it’s because around 80% of our movement are women. There is definitely an intention to lift women up, even though there is probably more to be done. Because of that, some parts of the book felt less relevant to me now.
Still, I’m glad I read it. The chapters on ambition were especially thought-provoking. They helped me reflect on whether I’m truly going after what I want and what ambition looks like for me. The networking advice is solid, especially for people whose jobs don’t center around it. I liked the idea of knowing when to focus on your own progress (climb) and when to support others (lift). Each chapter ends with practical tips, which I appreciated.
Three ideas really stuck with me:
1. Handle rejection like a freelancer. Don’t take it personally and thank people for the feedback.
2. Be straightforward about what you need.
3. Create opportunities for yourself and for others.
The writing style is funny and easy to read. It made me laugh a few times. It reminded me of Work Like a Woman by Mary Portas. Both books explore gender and the workplace.
The main message here is that you shouldn’t feel obligated to lift other women just because you’re a woman. You can be intentional about who and how you support, which is something I already practice in my work because what we do is impact oriented.
Not everything in the book applied to me, but a lot of it did. I’m grateful for that. It gave me a lot to think about.
March 14, 2020
This is the first book I have read by @vivgroskop, I was drawn to the title...and I thoroughly enjoyed the read!
The main thing I enjoyed was that this is a book based on real experience with relevant advice. It doesn't pretend that all women are united and perfect, it doesn't paint men in a bad light, it is not antagonistic. It is thought provoking, supportive and reassuring. There are some great challenges in there and it has made me think about 1 or 2 changes in approach I am going to focus on at work.
Some of the key areas of focus that I enjoyed include understanding ambition, rivalry, allies and the concept of "hepeating" - I didn't know it was called this, when a man repeats an idea as his own that a woman offered up previously!
I work in asset management, an industry still very male dominated and most of the time, very old fashioned. Fortunately I have a support network of amazing people, both female and male, who challenge and encourage me, especially when it comes to stepping outside the comfort zone and owning my goals. They don't let me internalise and fret, they give suggestions and helpful advice based on different experiences. Many of the examples given in the chapters were so relatable that I connected more with this book than most others I have read around confidence and authenticity.
I'll be sharing this book with those who need a lift and those women who have climbed so far already.
"It's ok if you slip. One of us will be there to push you back up"
#libraryatsevern #bookworm #book #reading
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#bookstagrammers #readersofinstagram #reader #igreads #liftasyouclimb #penguinbooks #bookblogger #goodreads #bookshelf #bookreviewer #bookshelf #newbookrelease #vivgroskop #womensnonfiction #selfhelpbooks #femaleauthors #internationalwomensday #womenhelpingwomen
The main thing I enjoyed was that this is a book based on real experience with relevant advice. It doesn't pretend that all women are united and perfect, it doesn't paint men in a bad light, it is not antagonistic. It is thought provoking, supportive and reassuring. There are some great challenges in there and it has made me think about 1 or 2 changes in approach I am going to focus on at work.
Some of the key areas of focus that I enjoyed include understanding ambition, rivalry, allies and the concept of "hepeating" - I didn't know it was called this, when a man repeats an idea as his own that a woman offered up previously!
I work in asset management, an industry still very male dominated and most of the time, very old fashioned. Fortunately I have a support network of amazing people, both female and male, who challenge and encourage me, especially when it comes to stepping outside the comfort zone and owning my goals. They don't let me internalise and fret, they give suggestions and helpful advice based on different experiences. Many of the examples given in the chapters were so relatable that I connected more with this book than most others I have read around confidence and authenticity.
I'll be sharing this book with those who need a lift and those women who have climbed so far already.
"It's ok if you slip. One of us will be there to push you back up"
#libraryatsevern #bookworm #book #reading
#bookstagramuk
#bookstagrammers #readersofinstagram #reader #igreads #liftasyouclimb #penguinbooks #bookblogger #goodreads #bookshelf #bookreviewer #bookshelf #newbookrelease #vivgroskop #womensnonfiction #selfhelpbooks #femaleauthors #internationalwomensday #womenhelpingwomen
July 18, 2021
I enjoyed this book, having read ‘How to Own the Room’ at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Now finishing ‘Lift as you climb’, having been made redundant from the dream job, to now an even bigger dream job and silver lining all in one, this was a brilliant book to read.
Working in the Heritage Industry, in product design and manufacturing, I though this could be interesting with my ambition and to help with meetings, confidence etc, however I feel much of the advice is now out-dated. With the new necessities for remote working, knowing team mates only virtually really, I feel the goal-posts for careers and industry has totally changed. It’s not moved so to speak, it’s just a totally different goal in a new ball park.
I’d be very interested to see Viv’s take of the world of world during and post-pandemic. I can’t wait for the next book, if there is one! ☺️
Working in the Heritage Industry, in product design and manufacturing, I though this could be interesting with my ambition and to help with meetings, confidence etc, however I feel much of the advice is now out-dated. With the new necessities for remote working, knowing team mates only virtually really, I feel the goal-posts for careers and industry has totally changed. It’s not moved so to speak, it’s just a totally different goal in a new ball park.
I’d be very interested to see Viv’s take of the world of world during and post-pandemic. I can’t wait for the next book, if there is one! ☺️
July 21, 2023
One star is a legacy star because I like Groskop and have found her other stuff fun and wise. Another star because some of the diagnoses of what happens at work are spot on. But I found this increasingly hard to read due to its narrow definition ofsuccess: which is about getting on and up the ladder, rather than about growth, fulfillment, community and joy. And some of the actual advice is weird and unproductive. For example: being spoken over in meetings? Speak to the Chair beforehand to get special treatment for your views. I chair a lot of meetings. I'd far rather some direct feedback that I'm allowing unprofessional and unfair behaviour to flourish, than have a series of premeets where people try and get special treatment for themselves. Weird in a book that's advertised as being about making things better for everyone. A misfire.
January 14, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a book that I will be recommending to every woman. It is such a useful guide for how to survive and thrive in work and life; every chapter has some invaluable takeaways but laugh-out-loud relatively funny moments (which is a fantastic combination). I love the emphasis of supporting other women without disadvantaging yourself as you achieve your ambitions, and the focus on the positive effects of the sisterhood ✨
This is an essential read, and a book that I will be re-reading with a highlighter and notebook in hand 📝
Thank you to Viv Groskop for such a confidence boosting book💛
P.S. I think some men could benefit from reading this too 😉
This is a book that I will be recommending to every woman. It is such a useful guide for how to survive and thrive in work and life; every chapter has some invaluable takeaways but laugh-out-loud relatively funny moments (which is a fantastic combination). I love the emphasis of supporting other women without disadvantaging yourself as you achieve your ambitions, and the focus on the positive effects of the sisterhood ✨
This is an essential read, and a book that I will be re-reading with a highlighter and notebook in hand 📝
Thank you to Viv Groskop for such a confidence boosting book💛
P.S. I think some men could benefit from reading this too 😉
March 27, 2023
I am impressed on how a woman centric book is written in a gender neutral way. Being a man myself I love getting different perspectives and I guess I have taken a whole lot more from this compared to a lot of self help/leadership books.
It covers various challenges what a woman faces and how to address them in a tactful way, and more importantly to help other women grow along with you.
Brilliant writing! Great content!
Love the way it ends with a very meaningful quote:
There are various types of friends:
Friend for a reason
Friend for a season
Friend for life!
… learn to live with this truth.
It covers various challenges what a woman faces and how to address them in a tactful way, and more importantly to help other women grow along with you.
Brilliant writing! Great content!
Love the way it ends with a very meaningful quote:
There are various types of friends:
Friend for a reason
Friend for a season
Friend for life!
… learn to live with this truth.
September 25, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It was fun, it was practical, it was useful. Looking forward to going back over the Lift and Climb actions and bringing them into my life.
As a side note, I’ve been exploring my discomfort with so called feminist books as I’m aware the industry is a mosh pot of light and fluffy ‘empowerment’ books that provide no real help. This book is NOT one of those - I found it genuine, honest and an utter delight.
As a side note, I’ve been exploring my discomfort with so called feminist books as I’m aware the industry is a mosh pot of light and fluffy ‘empowerment’ books that provide no real help. This book is NOT one of those - I found it genuine, honest and an utter delight.
August 31, 2020
This book is a great read. I love the quotes selected for the beginning of each chapter. There is lots to make you think. The key principle I took away is that situations can be more complex than they first appear and that in turn they may require a nuanced response. A simple action I think we can all take away from the book is to advocate for each other.
October 5, 2020
A really constructive book for women on the up in their careers. My best bosses have been women who lift those around them and are willing to be lifted by people around/beneath them, and thats the type of boss I hope to be. I'll be rereading this book every few years to keep me on the journey towards that.
July 13, 2021
I'm not a big fan of the self help genre as it goes but this book is a rare beast in so much that it doesn't take itself too seriously yet has some seriously good advice to impart. Essential reading for women in business but with enough general advice that could be translated to everyday situations as well.
June 14, 2022
I find it hard to read and not interesting enough to keep the page turning. It has useful practical guide for women to climb and also lift each other up but would be a lot better published in a blog or a magazines so every woman can read it without putting them through traumatic experience trying to finish the book.
March 27, 2022
Incredibly inspiring, thought-provoking and insightful! Thoroughly enjoyed the various action steps towards climbing and lifting. Highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone - students, those who are fresh to the job and also those who have been working.
May 16, 2022
**audiobook version** enjoyable and accessible book that I could dip in and out of. Practical and fairly solutions based. I really enjoyed the chapter on How to Support Women Without Disappearing Yourself.
April 27, 2020
One of the best books I've read this year!
December 26, 2020
Buy it. Then buy it for all of your friends, your daughters, your daughter's friends, sisters, nieces, colleagues.
Read
January 31, 2022The book is overall well-structured and has a lot of tips to guide ambitious women in the world of chaotic. I personally, found the book handy and definetely, the book worth reading twice.
February 1, 2022
2 Pages written on 200 pages.
March 7, 2022
Somehow in the process of showing all sides of a situation and trying to be fair to all of them, one (that's me) gets a sneaky stoic feeling from reading this book. I was not expecting that.
April 10, 2022
Helpful tips!
April 22, 2022
A little bit meh for me - not a whole lot of new information here but a fresh perspective and some good recommendations for further reading.
July 25, 2022
Not my cup of tea! I loved the blurb I loved the message on the front but I just couldn’t get into it when I tried to read it
April 2, 2022
5/10
Lift As You Climb - Viv Groskop
Lift as you climb is a concept that we should lift other people as we climb the ladder to success. There is some really good points in this book, such as how to develop the confidence to say yes to more, along with how to form allies and mentors. This book is good for those who are lacking confidence in the workplace, (more for those who work in offices) so I didn't really relate to some of the stuff that was mentioned - still an interesting read overall.
Lift As You Climb - Viv Groskop
Lift as you climb is a concept that we should lift other people as we climb the ladder to success. There is some really good points in this book, such as how to develop the confidence to say yes to more, along with how to form allies and mentors. This book is good for those who are lacking confidence in the workplace, (more for those who work in offices) so I didn't really relate to some of the stuff that was mentioned - still an interesting read overall.
February 4, 2024
A really weird mix of advice that was so oversimplified and lacking nuance that half of it made me cringe at how awful it is (I'm a Psychologist) and then some of it was good self help that many people would find useful. I think the caveat about not being suitable for anyone struggling should have come earlier and it really would have benefited from some thoughtful integration of intersectionality issues.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews