The Fix: How to Overcome the Invisible Barriers That Are Holding Women Back at Work

by Michelle P. King

'A passionate, practical roadmap for addressing inequality and finally making our workplaces work for women' – Arianna Huffington Foreword by Gillian Anderson and Jennifer Nadel  For years, we’ve been telling women that in order to succeed at work, they need to change themselves first – lean in, negotiate like a man, don’t be too polite or you’ll never succeed (like a man). But after sixteen years working with major Fortune 500 companies as a leading gender-equality expert, Michelle P. King has realised one simple the tired advice of fixing women doesn’t fix anything. The reality is that workplaces are gendered; they were designed by men for men. Based on King’s research and exclusive interviews with major companies and thought leaders, The Fix reveals the hidden sexism and invisible barriers holding women back at work every day. Women are passed over for promotions, paid less and pushed out of the workforce – not because they aren’t good enough, but because they don’t fit the masculine ideal. In this fascinating and empowering book, King reveals the barriers that inhibit women – and men – at all stages of their careers and provides readers with a clear set of takeaways to help them thrive as they fight for change from within.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Feminism, Leadership, Womens, Self Help, Gender

333 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 3, 2020

About the author

Dr Michelle Penelope King is a globally recognized expert on inequality and organizational culture. Based on over a decade’s worth of research, Michelle believes that we need to learn how workplaces work, so we can make them work for everyone. She is the host of a popular podcast called The Fix. Michelle is the author of the bestselling, award-winning book: The Fix: Overcome the Invisible Barriers that are Holding Women Back at Work. Her second book How Work Works, will be published internationally on the 10th of October 2023 with Harper Collins.

Michelle is a published, award-winning academic with five degrees including a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Organizational Psychology, a Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, a Master of Business Administration, a Post Graduate Degree in Journalism and a PhD in Management. Michelle is pursuing a post-doctoral research fellowship with Cranfield University in the United Kingdom.

Michelle has been featured in The Economist, Harvard Business Review, CNBC, CNN Business, Fortune, Financial Times, Bloomberg, Time, Business Insider, The Times, Daily Mail and LinkedIn Editors.

In addition, Michelle is an award-winning speaker, having spoken at over 500 events worldwide including conferences like the Nobel Peace Prize Conference, Ellevate Network Conference, The Massachusetts Conference for Women, Texas Conference for Women, SXSW, She Summit and the Pennsylvania Conference for Women.

Michelle is represented by London Speakers Bureau and regularly hosts keynotes, fireside chats or masterclasses with companies like Amazon, FIFA, Guardian, Dior, FedEx, Netflix, BNP Paribas, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley and MetLife to name a few.

Michelle is the founder of The Culture Practice, a global consultancy that provides leaders with the assessment, development, and inclusion coaching needed to build cultures that value difference. In addition, Michelle is a Senior Advisor to the UN Foundation’s Girl Up Campaign, where she leads the NextGen Leadership Development Program, which enables young women to navigate and overcome the barriers to their success. Before this, Michelle was the Director of Inclusion at Netflix. Prior to that, she was the head of UN Women’s Global Innovation Coalition for Change, which includes managing over 30 private sector partnerships to accelerate the achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment. Michelle has two decades of international experience working in the private sector.

In each of her roles, Michelle lends her expertise to advance gender equality and enhance global opportunity and achievement for women. In 2022 Michelle was named LinkedIn’s Top Voice for workplace equity and was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women at Davos by Global Women’s Leadership Experts. In addition, in 2019, Women Tech Founders, a Chicago-based organization dedicated to advancing women in the tech industry, awarded Michelle the 2019 Inspiring Innovator Award for her outstanding achievements in the sector.

Reviews

[Michelle Penelope King · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is my book! Read it.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poorly edited (could easily have been 100 pages shorter if you removed all the redundancies) and misses the mark at times. As just one example, King suggests joining an employee affinity group in which you have no demographic affiliation “to better understand the challenges that different employees have” (p. 83, hardcover). In a vacuum that isn’t a terrible idea. But in reality, it can be highly invasive of another group’s space and, in many instances, could be seen as a blind use of privilege. (Plus, the onus of learning should be on the individual, rather than relying on those who are “different” to teach them.) There are several other similar examples throughout the book that, in my view, undermined the overall message of the book as well as my confidence in the author’s viewpoint.

[Wan Ling · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 - lots of useful points and questions for self-reflection, but I think I haven't had enough work experience to benefit fully from this book! To revisit after I've gained experience in managing people / leading teams.

Main ideas
- creating a workplace that values men and women equally and gives everyone the freedom to be themselves, where difference (needs, interests, contributions) is acknowledged and valued (e.g. you are not just an employee, you are an employee and also a parent)
- Dominant groups set the standards for behaviour in organisations, which we are all encouraged to adopt
- diversity and inclusion initiatives e.g. targets depersonalise the entire problem and do not create sustainable change as they give women leaders a token status
- Awareness of inequality is a leader's job

[Genevieve Trono · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fix by Michelle P. King is a timely book that focuses on the invisible barriers that are holding women back in the workplace. King is a gender equality expert and has spent a lot of time researching this important and relevant issue.

King discusses the current issues that women are facing in a readable and approachable manner. One highlight of this book was how she presented historical and root causes that have set up today's workplaces that ultimately were and still are designed for men.

"This book is an introduction to the numerous invisible barriers all women face throughout their careers because organizations are not designed for different. And that a true problem, because our differences are not barriers to overcome, they are what make us remarkable. We deserve the freedom to be ourselves at work and to be appreciated for this. This is equality. It's also freedom. Gender inequality at work is a problem for all of us. This means that your fight is my fight. Equality is not about women, and itis not about women, it is about making workplaces work for everyone."

These challenges are not things women just can "overcome" on their own which is a common misunderstanding. King proactively shares the steps we can take to make real change and find gender equality, This book has the perfect amount of research mixed with approachable and conversational text and I got so much out of it.

Thank you to Atria Books for an advanced copy.

[Keri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good content but way too long and drawn out. Could have been half as long and provided more impact. Would not have finished if not reading with a book club.

[Özden Yiğit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book especially because it positions inequality an issue of both men and women. It asks good questions to encourage all leaders and employees to take responsibility to create equality in workplaces. Men and women - they are both responsible. Although there are some explanations and examples repeating, it is also good to have them to get the same consistent message.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

King's book stands apart from other self-help books for working women as she sheds light on the biases that are keeping women from achieving leadership roles instead of what women can do to fit the workplace ideal worker, think Don Draper according to King. She also notes that "workplaces want men and women to work as though they don't have children. However, society requires that working mothers raise children as though they never work" (175). No wonder it feels so hard to do both well! Working mother are also paid 71 cents for every dollar working father make, and King says that statistic hasn't changed in over 30 years (177). King also sheds light on the increased issues women of color face in the workplace, as they have to overcome gender and racial bias. King stresses that, "gender equality is not about raising women up at the expense of men. . . It is about creating a workplace that values men and women equally and gives everyone the freedom to be themselves" (39). Though when King did a study in 2018 she found that, "overwhelmingly, when asked what the number-one barrier was to their success, men blamed gender and diversity initiatives" (54).

King writes about both the problems and the solutions to these issues, dividing the book into three sections: awareness, understanding, and action. This is thought provoking and much needed for today's working women. While I was reading the book King did an interview on a podcast I listen to, which I really enjoyed. https://lauravanderkam.com/2020/03/be...

[Zoë · Rating 4 out of 5]

An especially important read if you've had little exposure to the issues that women face in the workplace. My husband read this and recommended it to me, and it's a good summary of why women have to work harder than and be better than men to be seen as equally competent. Michelle walks though how the 'manager as male' default damages women, which is fairly obvious to anyone who's witnessed her 'inequality moments' in the workplace (seriously, don't invite me to meetings and then volunteer me for taking the minutes... I'm trying to contribute and I'm not your secretary), but what I did appreciate were her 'fixes' for these issues and the frank exploration of how gendered norms and expectations in the workplace damage men as much by curtailing who they can be in their workplace too...

The loss of star is for repetition ("Remember Sarah from the first chapter?" Yes Michelle, believe us, we do!) and a bit of skirting around how childfree women also experience the 'assumed motherhood' bias. I feel this could have been explored more. Not only is it assumed we'll eventually want to cut back, but while we don't, we step up to fill the gaps left my women with caring responsibility - we suffer from the same biases that hold mothers back but do not get rewarded for how much we're able to give of ourselves.

But if you're a woman who feels they're not doing the 'right' things to advance, this book can help you see whether it's you, or your work environment getting in the way.... And if you're a man, just read it. Please!

[Mintaute · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite repetitive, but eyes-opening nonetheless. I would like it to be read by every boss, who is in charge of her/his team management. We all live in a denial phase, believing in meritocracy. I am sure that there are more women, who just like me, thinks that gender inequality happens to some people, but not to me and it will not happen to me in the future.
Well - you are wrong. I was wrong. Inequality exists. It happens in everyday life, so let's start seeing it. Let's call it out and put our own effort to fix it. Because it's not women, who needs to be fixed, it's a working place and working culture which needs a major repair. Do not fall under assumption, that you alone can overcome the inequality that happens to you. Please, do a favor for everyone to recognize it, call it out and dismantle it.

And one more thing - take your time to understand how extremely privileged you are in your life and do something about it for others, who are not so lucky. It's your business to pay your privilege tax for a better society. All information how to do it step by step you will find in the book.

[Karolyn B. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read this for work months ago so it is not fresh in my mind, but it does not reflect the entire workforce and it seemed super depressing. Like as a woman I was like "Oh, this is what I have to look forward to? Sexism, harassment, glass ceiling, lack of training, etc.?" When in reality, I have not experienced any of that in my workplace. Maybe I'm just blessed with a great job, but surely not every woman feels like this?

My only other comment is that it seems to generalize a lot of the "men statements." I recall our work small group talking about it and the men where very pro "getting women more into leadership," but they were disappointed about the way the book handled it. And they said they felt very much over generalized that "all men do this." I'm sure that's hard to look past.

[Rachel Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars.

Appreciated: the incredible interviews and perspectives King has been collecting and pouring herself into for many years. I also always appreciate a research-based book on women and the challenges they face, so it was pretty much an automatic win in my book.

Small issues with: felt a big emphasis on men and women with children needing flexibility, yet that's not a stage of life I'm in, so it felt exclusive, which is somewhat ironic? That's just my perspective based on my current life experience, but I know it's important for many. Also it felt a bit repetitive, which is saying something for one who needs repetition. I mostly appreciated it, but can see others disliking it.

[Martijn · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a man, I liked having a book that educated me on topics I never realised were problematic, like this book did. The actionable “fixes” and guidance on helping me navigate inequality at work were really helpful, and I think I’d grab this book once in a while to reference some of the lists.

Apart from that, I think the book could’ve been more to the point - I’d estimate that half of the pages were just filled with not necessarily useful information. Next to that, the scope is pretty limited to tips for large, corporate environments. I would’ve liked some more tips on handling the barriers for smaller organisations, like start ups and smaller agencies.

I would still recommend it though!

[Sam Hatia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and well-researched look into the systemic inequalities in the workplace. Whilst the main focus is on empowering women, it highlights the plethora of ways all marginalised communities may be held back in the workplace. Offering practical and educational advice for how to cultivate more inclusive workplaces all backed up with great anecdotal and statistical data. Some real insight and pearls of wisdom within.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although some parts are repetitive and the style is not the highest, I found this book to be very good food for thought.

Whether you are not yet in a leadership position or you've been for a while, it provides good questions that help you stop and reflect about your current workplace and in what ways it can improve.

[Janey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michelle has spoken at an event at my company and she was inspirational and influential. This book breaks down challenges whilst offering tools to overcome them. I found it repetitive in parts to read, but insightful and thought provoking regardless. This book was gifted to me and other board members by leadership. I hope other groups in the company follow suit!

[Charlotte Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this as a freebie at a tech conference I was at in the summer. Decent read but nothing very revolutionary and is a bit repetitive. I’m wont to say a free tote bag has proved to be the superior gift!

[Winyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is moreso addressing the systemic/organizational actions that those who are managers/leaders in companies need to be aware of. Lots of research in here.

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring and repetitive. Rehash of ideas already expressed elsewhere- in Ted Talks, etc.

[Peta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book that goes beyond male to female ratios in leadership positions and explores masculine and feminine leadership traits.

[Tishly Herrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stuff. All things that need to happen and pieces every one of us is guilty of to some extend.

[Mia Finsness · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned about the glass ceiling in this book and now see it all around me. Worth reading for that discussion alone.

[Ashley]

DNF

[Rick Mavrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a thoughtful book. It does a really good job at outlining areas of inequality, barriers to inclusion and opportunities into concise and focused chapters. While I might not be the core audience, (as I found some of the discussion characterising people of male and female genders a little alienating at the start of the book), for me, I found it did a decent job at explaining how part of increasing inclusivity is changing gender expectations and breaking down the social enforcement of unhelpful gender roles.

The book did a great job setting a direction, I would like to see a sequel breaking down the practicalities. Which KPIs work? What corrective action works? Where do well-intentioned people go wrong? What are the potential areas of pushback?... and how to diffuse them.

I would happily give this book to my colleagues as a discussion piece and as a reminder "It's not you, it's your workplace" and that the onus and responsibility for workplace inclusion shouldn't be on the people being excluded.

[Irmina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary:

The book is divided into three parts:

1. Awareness: shines a spotlight on denial about inequality at work and encourages us to admit the sad truth about the challenges women face at work.
2. Understanding: highlights seventeen invisible barriers that women face throughout the three phases of their working life: achievement phase, endurance phase and contribution phase.
3. Action: invites everybody to take action to fix workplaces so that they work for everybody.

My opinion:

I found the first part a bit lengthy, and the division between the various chapters arbitrary. In my opinion, the second part was much better structured. I found naming the seventeen invisible barriers and offering ways to fix them illuminating. I also enjoyed the third part, and shared the suggested questions within my own workplace.
On a side-note, I am curious how many times the author used the name 'Don Draper' to make her point.

[Andrej Hillebrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

He aprendido un montón de cosas con este libro. Súper interesante. Me gustó mucho que me llevase a un montón de reflexiones, además de acercarme a un nivel de entendimiento de las implicaciones de la inclusión y me dio aún más motivos para apoyar las reivindicaciones del feminismo y la inclusión en general. El único pero que le pongo es que en ocasiones algunas ideas se hacían un poco repetitivas. Siento que el libro es lo suficientemente potente que en realidad se habría beneficiado de rebajar un poco ese nivel de repetición.

[Fatou · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you work in an organisation or a company and are either a leader, manager or just a simple employee, you should read this book. This books shows - with practical steps and supported by scientific research - how everyone has role to play in addressing inequality in the work place.

[Giulia Magnanini · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting and inspiring. i see things with different eyes