Lead: How Women in Charge Claim Their Authority

by Ellen M. Snee EdD

During Ellen Snee’s eighteen years as a Catholic nun, she gained a number of essential—and, happily, transferable—skills: how to discern a call or deep desire, how to work collaboratively with other women, and how to be a savvy operator within male hierarchies. In Lead, she draws on that knowledge—as well as lessons learned and insights gained from her Harvard dissertation on psychological dimensions of authority for women, two decades of work with executive women as CEO of Fine Line Consulting, and five years as VP of Organizational & Leadership Development at VMware, a global technology leader—to address the exercise of authority by women.

Lead guides readers through specific challenges of leadership Snee has identified as most vital to success through her own corporate experience and consulting work: developing resilience, presenting with authority, gaining financial literacy, managing in every direction, and more. Throughout, Snee urges women to find and speak with their unique voice and claim their personal power. Full of illuminating personal and client anecdotes and surprising research insights, Lead is an accessible, instructive, and empowering road map to finding external success—by drawing on the strengths you’ve carried inside you all along.

184 pages, Paperback

Published September 21, 2021

Reviews

[Jackie Sunday · Rating 4 out of 5]

The market is packed with books to help people forge ahead with their career goals. But this one is different. It's for women. The news is packed with stories everyday on how men get ahead, men get paid more and men get the CEO positions almost every time. While it's changing for women, it's at a slow pace.

Ellen M. Snee has an impressive career with a doctorate from Harvard in women's psychological development. She emphasizes that she is committed to educating women to help them advance quickly with the right plan. The book is easy to read and provides pages of helpful hints by developing relationships, networking, understanding finances, studying languages and being aware of executive presence. This book is a must read especially for those that are just starting out.

The author says it may come as a surprise that she was once a nun. Naturally she starts with a quote: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference." She says changes can be easily made after examining such things as habits and behaviors, feelings and attitudes and interactions and relationships with others. After every chapter, there is a summary and list of helpful strategies to "do the work."

Women have always been known to downplay their roles in life. This book provides help in many situations even though there are jobs that come with obstacles off the charts. It's very structured with highlights but also is mixed with personal and client stories. Especially with the high-level competition these days, women need all the help they can get to rise to the top and this book is essential.

My thanks to Ellen M. Snee, She Writes Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this copy in advance with an expected release date of September 21, 2021.

[Geralizze]

Snees’ new ground-breaking work explores the habits and thoughts of many executive women who struggle to claim their leadership. Drawing from her experiences as a nun and a leadership coach, she guides us through several exercises at the end of each chapter and gives us a clear layout of her findings.

There’s enough storytelling to support her research without resorting to self-glorification. Instead, you get something akin to a conversation with a trusted mentor or coach. She’s acutely aware of the insecurities high-performing women face and picks up where a lot of leadership books for women left a lot to be desired.

Who would I recommend the book to:

Women taking a more active role in the shaping of their own lives.

Women who want to develop the confidence to ask for a promotion or a job.

Although executive women are the primary target readers, the content presented can be helpful to any woman.

Favorite quote:

“The most important elements of successful growth are the desire to learn and the willingness to change, not the goals that are set”

[Elizabeth Harrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a different type of leadership book: one that covers a huge range of topics relevant to women in leadership positions. Lead touched on a lot of things I felt as a female leader: the need to develop resilience and gravitas, and working as part of the larger organizational system. It's a good read for women who want to take the next step in their careers, and while the case studies are mainly of senior executives and women towards the the top end of management, the suggestions are relevant for those starting out in the corporate world too. The book is well-put together and the author's personal background provides an interesting lens through which to view leadership theory and practice. I enjoyed the book, and felt it was an up-to-date take on the topic, which has been covered in the past by books like Beyond the Boys' Club.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides lots of great tips and advice for women in positions of leadership or for those seeking to attain a leadership role. I appreciate that it addresses the unique challenges women face, which are quite different from men, both in how they see themselves and how others see them. The author covers key areas such as communication, negotiation, managing others, career paths, etc. In my experience, I have seen how women tend to undervalue themselves and also how they overcompensate by becoming aggressive and bitchy. It's a fine line to walk and this book helps women to navigate it.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there was one book that I would love to have read about 20 years earlier, it would be “Lead — How Women in Charge Claim Their Authority” by Ellen M. Snee. If I had I am sure I wouldn’t have doubted myself as much as l did.
With topics such as building resilience, inner authority, effective communication, money management, career conversations, organisational relationships and many references to everyday situations in organisations make “Lead — How Women in Charge Claim Their Authority” by Ellen M. Snee a must read for every woman who has the courage to change the things she can.

[Darya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most powerful books on women leadership. It does cover multiple aspects of management and leadership also provides the important tips on "how to" that are often missed. I have truly enjoyed the contents and the structure if the book that creates a logical path towards leadership competencies development.

[Christina Guthier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellen Snee's book Lead is full of compassionate experience and cumulative expertise on how women can truly claim their authority in all areas of life they desire. And it's an easy read despite the gravitas of the topic!

[J'Naia Stepp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, unlike others I have read, actually gives advice on how to achieve your goals. Not only that but she can back it up. She uses personal experiences, stories of clients she’s had, and information form books she’s read. It’s helpful and I definitely recommend.

[Corrica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every woman should read this book. If you work in corporate America, you will relate to and understand the examples she is using. While you may not act and fall into every category, habit, or issue you will find value in reading this. I also think men who want to be allies and support women in the workplace should read this so they understand issues and microaggressions they may be committing.