A proven blueprint to accelerate career success and fast track into leadership roles—especially for women who are underrepresented in their fields.
If you're a woman, especially a woman of color, you know this You face unique challenges and obstacles as you work to scale the corporate ladder. From not seeing other faces in the room that look like you to dealing with the stereotypes and (often unconscious) biases in the workplace, you may know what to do to succeed, but not how to get it done in this environment. Show Your Worth shows you how.
In pages that are both inspirational and practical, Shelmina Babai Abji speaks directly to professional women—especially women of color—about how the power of being intentional and strategic can help transform the headwinds you face into much-needed tailwinds.
Show Your Worth takes you on a deep dive into the 8 Intentional Strategies that will help you achieve success,
Define what success means to Develop your Personal Success PlanWork/Life Achieve work-life balance in our disrupted worldValue Overcome fear, find your voice, and contribute at your maximum Seek relevant and meaningful Connect meaningfully with first-line managers, peers, mentors, and sponsorsLeadership Build and preserve your reputation as a Be strategic about earning a promotionThese Intentional Strategies are imperative for women whose confidence can be chipped away daily when they're overlooked because of negative stereotypes and biases due to differences in race, socio-economic, cultural, or academic backgrounds. Through Abji's personal experiences and the inspiring stories of other successful women who have applied these strategies in their own lives, you will come to deeply understand just how important your voice is and know that your unique value makes you a force in any room.
Women today don't just want to make a profit, we want to make an impact. This is an excellent and informative book for all women who want to make an impact in their careers. As a woman dedicated to public service, my path might be a bit different from other girl bosses reading this book. Regardless, Shelmina has really insightful and practical advice for reflection and strategic decision-making that will be beneficial to all women looking to level up their careers. I highly, highly recommend doing the exercises in the book.
There are not a lot of step-by-step career growth manuals specifically focused on BIPOC girlies. This book will be immensely helpful to anyone considering their next step. We are all more capable than we believe. Shelmina has broken barriers by betting on herself and shows each reader that they can too.
“Show Your Worth” is a great compilation of a vast amount of knowledge that Shelmina has gained over years. The strategies that she mentions in the book isn’t something that you can read anywhere. It requires a seasoned leader to share this kind of insight and strategies.
Shelmina has written in detail about 8 strategies that can help you navigate through your career by setting personal success plan. What stood out to me is how the book was structured. It has her experience, insights and then an exercise section that urges us for introspection and application of the insights from each chapter. It helps you identify a lot of hidden blockers that we would ignore otherwise.
“Show Your Worth” is a rare-find and a great read for anyone who aspires to be a leader.
Show Your Worth is packed with practical guidance and wisdom expertly interwoven with Shelmina's incredible personal story. This is knowledge that would have been so helpful earlier for my younger self. Even those in later stages can still benefit from her extensive experience. The 8 intentions and its principles align well with design thinking by emphasizing a structured, empathetic approach to problem-solving in both life and work. I'll definitely be sharing this with my mentees.
This book is a MUST-READ for any woman who is a leader or aspires to be one - especially women of color! Shelmina's anecdotes, reflections, and insight are powerful and poignant, and she continuously invites readers to relate to her insights by including reflection questions along the way. This book also includes strategies and excerpts from other diverse women leaders and are very thoughtfully curated. I'm so glad I read this book and I'll continue to look back at it - it is something that one should read not once but multiple times over their career journey to help them continuously grow and reflect!
This book, Show Your Worth, by Shelmina Babai Abji, presents an intentional and focused path for all the women who know themselves to a future leader in the world. I met Shelmina at a professional organization’s dinner meeting. After a conversation at the end of her speech my friend and I realized that she was a very knowledgeable and caring woman. Shelmina has given this book to you: when you choose to do the work, it will carry you along an intentional path toward your own definition of success, you will learn from her experiences, and you will greet the challenges in your future with self-knowledge and self-respect.
If you’re looking for a book that will help you to navigate through corporate life as a woman, help you to set the right priorities and maintaining a well-balance professional and personal life then this is the book for you. There is always an idea that you can’t have it all while it kay be true but giving the right attention and priorities will help you maintain a good balance of both. This book talks about just that and she even shares advices from her mentor that helped me put things into perspective. Such a good read if you’re just dipping your toes into corporate life this is a must read!
I read this book a while back, and couldn't stop talking about it with my girlfriends, and my daughter. Looking back, it appealed to me because I found it well organized, and practical. Almost like a good reference guide to go back to time to time. Made me think about what other aspects of my life I should consider being intentional. I love how personal it is this book based on Shelmina Abji's experiences, I also found she made it interesting by incorporating other inspiring stories. I feel this book will give a good perspective and guidance to anyone in pursuit of personal and professional growth and success. It does make a great gift too :)
Using the basic tenet of intentionality, Show Your Worth, provides clear strategies for women to attain meaningful leadership roles in today's workplace.
Not only is Ms. Abji’s story inspirational, in each chapter she shares the stories of businesswomen from a variety of fields who have achieved success using the practices of intentional success, attention, work-life balance, value creation, growth, relationships, leadership branding, and promotion.
A must-read (or a gift) for leaders, looking to enhance their leadership skills. Shelmina Babai Abji writes about her experiences at IBM as a former VP, mother and a woman of color.
Her book shares intentional strategies that we all can use in our professional lives to improve our visibility, credibility and engagement as leaders.
Getting more women in the top rungs of management is a constant pursuit. And people like Shelmina and her book continue to inspire and motivate us all!
The book outlines clear steps for how to position yourself to move up into leadership roles. At the same time, it is a guide for how to increase your effectiveness and sense of agency in any role you take. Show your Worth is a must read for young professionals aspiring to grow in their careers and for leaders who want to support their team or offer actionable advice.
I love that the author shares her journey and also highlights the experiences of other women across different industries embedded into a series of tips. I use the reflection questions for my own weekly journaling. I recommend you digest one chapter a week, possibly in a book club, and use the reflection questions.
Shelmina (Show Your Worth) shares her personal story and her journey as an inspirational framework for culling leadership! Her book is especially relevant for all women of color who often face the oppression of a glass ceiling. Shelmina's practical insights and wisdom come shining though this book that is sure to motivate and encourage more women leaders especially in POC community.
This is a great “how to” book with very practical advice, clear messaging and lots of real life examples. All of the strategies the author outlines for women will ultimately help the business succeed too. This got me thinking that organizations should also be equipped to recognize and reward these strategies for maximizing value. That way all stakeholders win. Management, please take note!
Great for women who want to become leaders and grow in their work space. Also for those who would like to meet their professional & personal goal. This book is just what I needed with my current career change. Thank you for writing ‘Show your Worth’ Shelmina 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
This book is a must read for those looking to improve their career and personal life! As a woman of color there are not many books that I could relate to when it came to pursuing a future career. This book gave me the courage and empowerment to pursue all my dreams no matter how big they may be.
"Show Your Worth: 8 Intentional Strategies for Women to Emerge as Leaders at Work" by Shelmina Babai Abji offers women a comprehensive roadmap to navigate the complexities of the corporate world and emerge as influential leaders. The book emphasizes the importance of defining one's own version of success, managing attention effectively, achieving work-life balance, embracing authenticity, and building a strong personal leadership brand. With insightful anecdotes and practical advice, Abji empowers women to break through barriers and succeed in male-dominated work environments.
The book underscores the significance of self-awareness in defining success on one's own terms. By merging personal and professional aspirations, individuals can establish a holistic vision for their future. Abji encourages readers to regularly reflect on their achievements and celebrate milestones, fostering a success-oriented mindset. Through the story of Verna Meyers, the book highlights the importance of aligning career paths with personal passions and values. Abji also emphasizes the need to allocate attention intentionally, drawing attention to strategies for prioritizing tasks and managing time effectively. Insights from Johanna Maska's experience in the White House underscore the significance of prioritization and decision-making under pressure. The author advocates for the development of routines and the establishment of boundaries to ensure a seamless transition between work and personal life.
Moreover, the book emphasizes the importance of embracing one's authentic self in the workplace. Abji advocates for effective communication and assertiveness, encouraging women to communicate their thoughts confidently and concisely. By nurturing a leadership brand rooted in trust, care, effective communication, and crisis management, women can establish themselves as influential leaders.
"Show Your Worth" serves as a valuable guide for women navigating professional challenges and seeking to advance in their careers. Through strategic planning, intentional decision-making, and the cultivation of a strong personal brand, Abji empowers women to overcome obstacles and emerge as influential leaders in their respective fields. While this book offers some valuable insights and practical advice, there are certain aspects that may limit its overall effectiveness, leading to a two-star rating.
Firstly, the book lacks a nuanced exploration of the systemic challenges that women face in the workplace. While it provides strategies for individual success, it falls short in addressing broader issues such as gender bias, discrimination, and the unequal distribution of opportunities. Additionally, the book's focus on personal anecdotes and success stories, while inspirational, may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the diverse challenges that women encounter in different professional environments. A more in-depth analysis of the intersectionality of factors such as race, class, and cultural background could have enriched the discussion and made the strategies more relevant and inclusive. Furthermore, the strategies proposed in the book, although helpful at a personal level, do not offer innovative or groundbreaking solutions that significantly differentiate it from other self-help or leadership books. The advice provided, while practical, may be considered somewhat generic and lacking in specific, actionable steps for overcoming the unique challenges faced by women in leadership roles.
Overall, while "Show Your Worth" attempts to empower women in their professional journeys, its limited scope, lack of intersectional analysis, and generic strategies contribute to a rating of two stars.
When someone sends me a book saying, “this made me think of you,” I get curious. Why me? What will I find in its pages?
Turns out, a lot.
A few days before being laid off, Show Your Worth by Shelmina Babai Abji landed in my mailbox. It was a gift from a friend who had just attended a talk by Shelmina. I had a deep conversation with this book. Good things deserve to be shared, so here we go:
Biggest Aha? The chapter on relationships made me pause and rethink how I nurture and activate those connections, especially with mentors and sponsors. Eye-opening!
Favorite chapter? Branding. Shelmina shares a story about being promoted to sales lead but still showing up like a rep, until the team pointed it out. “A brand that serves you well in one role may not be the right brand in your next.” That hit home.
Biggest conflict with the book? Since moving to the US, I’ve noticed how tightly systems can box us in. I get it, it works, it’s part of the culture. And don’t get me wrong, I love systems. I build them. I live by them. But I’m Latina, and part of me needs chaos. I find meaning in navigating ambiguity and learning without always having a clear intention. When everything: careers, promotions, even buying a house follows a fixed, step-by-step formula, it can feel like something gets lost at least for me. Like there’s no room for raw curiosity, creativity, or the beauty of unpredictability. That left me with a quiet feeling of disconnection from my roots.
Who should read this? Anyone, not just women, particullarly those who want to climb the corporate ladder in the US, especially in tech. If your goal is to become the most strategic version of yourself and reach the highest seat in the room, this one’s for you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Shelmina Babai Abji's book "Show Your Worth" is a thought-provoking and insightful guide to empowering women to break through the glass ceiling and achieve success in their careers. The author, a seasoned executive and mentor, draws on her extensive experience to provide practical advice and strategies for overcoming obstacles and thriving in the workplace.
The book offers a fresh perspective on traditional career development concepts and challenges readers to examine their own beliefs and biases about gender roles and leadership. With a focus on building confidence, networking effectively, and communicating assertively, Shelmina encourages readers to embrace their strengths and take risks in pursuit of their professional goals.
"Show Your Worth" has had a profound impact on many readers, including myself. The book's inspiring message of self-empowerment has influenced my decisions to transform my career by seeking out new opportunities, negotiating for better pay and benefits, and advocating for myself in the workplace. Shelmina Abji's insights and guidance have given me the tools and confidence to navigate the challenges of corporate culture and thrive as a female professional.
Overall, "Show Your Worth" is a must-read for anyone seeking to advance their career, especially women who have faced barriers and discrimination in the workplace. Shelmina Abji's message is empowering, uplifting, and transformative, and her book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to show their worth and achieve their full potential.
Abji's insightful words and personal stories resonated deeply, and her practical advice provided valuable guidance for navigating the challenges women face in the workplace. I really enjoyed how Abji emphasized the significance of embracing our individual strengths and displaying them confidently. With relatable anecdotes and practical strategies, Abji empowers us to overcome self-doubt and claim their worth. She encourages us to face obstacles head-on, seize opportunities, and reach for our goals fearlessly. Her unwavering belief in every woman's potential is inspiring and motivating, urging us to make a meaningful impact in our professional lives.
"Show Your Worth" is a compass that navigates us through the intricacies of the workplace, offering practical tools for success. It reminds us that our worth is determined by our own belief in ourselves and our abilities, not by others' opinions. Abji's book serves as a constant reminder to never settle for less and always strive for our full potential. If you are looking to excel in your career, "Show Your Worth" is a must-read. It's a valuable resource that will motivate and empower you to embrace your worth, stand tall, and achieve the success you deserve.
No suelo ser muy buena lectora de libros de superación personal, y menos suelo leer los que están enfocados en ese nicho particular de empresarios y ejecutivos corporativos. Siento que no soy su público y siento que si bien pretenden que sus lecciones "apliquen para la vida", son poco realistas en lo que atañe a las condiciones materiales de _la vida_.
Sin embargo, ese no parece ser el caso de este libro. La autora no busca inflarse a sí misma con un camino del héroe, ni usa sus orígenes como elemento de lástima para reconocerse víctima, y creo que por eso me atrapó.
Por una parte, está la transparencia y en ocasiones hasta la ingenuidad, con la que relata episodios clave de su vida, que más allá de aleccionar, pone de manifiesto un poco el diálogo interno vacilante de quien va descubriendo y entendiendo las lógicas del mercado y la renovación constante de su tablero de opciones.
Por otra parte, me gusta además que, aunque ella sea la autora, otras mujeres también presenten sus lecciones o la manera en la que interpretan estas lecciones en otros entornos. Porque si algo me ha permitido entender este libro, es la necesidad de la evaluación y la compasión.
As an organizational psychologist and a woman who is always searching for best ways to grow her career, while maintaining a positive life blend, I found Shelmina's story both inspiring and empowering. I love how she invites us into her life and throughout the book, which helps the reader feel like they have known her for a long time, while also providing very actionable and practical advice. I particularly enjoyed her advice about fostering a positive relationship with your manager for growth, and seeking mentors and allies both inside and outside of the organization, and the best way to work with them to maximize your growth.
These are just a few of the highlights of what I enjoyed. There is so much valuable information in the book and it's so incredibly engaging that I couldn't put it down. Thank you Shemlina for all of your advice and insights, and for all that you do to help empower women. I can't wait to have you as a guest on the Empowering Workplaces podcast and learn even more about you and your work.
In “Show Your Worth”, Shelmina Babai Abji shares her inspiring journey and empowers readers through her experiences and unwavering determination. She provides a valuable toolset to navigate the complexity of career growth, and specifically, the challenges – internal and external - women face in underrepresented scenarios.
Shelmina highlights the importance of defining one’s own career success and advancement strategy, placing a strong emphasis on being intentional in executing that strategy. The “intentional exercises” section at the end of each chapter is very valuable, including thought-provoking questions to increase self-awareness and understanding of your value, as well as practical implementation opportunities.
This isn’t just a book to read and set aside; it is a workbook to guide you through your career journey. I truly believe it is a MUST read for everyone, regardless of gender or background. It serves as a foundational resource for those starting their careers and offers valuable insights, no matter where you currently stand in your professional journey.
I wish I had read this book earlier and I couldn't wait to share this book with my girl friends, especially those climbing the corporate ladder in North America and especially those transitioning from an individual contributor to a people manager. The stories that Shelmina and the other great female leaders shared in the book are inspiring and relating. The eight strategies seem too general on a first glance but they are dependent on one another and broken down to practical steps to follow. I would definitely keep this book and revisit my progress (PROGRESS, not Perfect). INTENTIONAL Success, Attention, Work-Life Balance, Value Creation, Growth, Relationships, Leadership Branding and Promotions.
As a woman of color, I appreciate that the author had dealt with challenges not typically described in conventional business books. When she retired from IBM, Shelmina Abji was one of the highest ranking woman of color and achieved incredible results, all while being a single mother to two little kids.
If you are someone who wants to grow and advance their career, do yourself a favor and purchase this book. If you know someone who will benefit from a useful, action oriented blueprint, this book will make a wonderful gift.
Shelmina is a force in this world who models strength, will, confidence and, most importantly, how women can come out of a victim mentality and become the creator of one’s life. She teaches us how to stand for our own value, through becoming aware of our mental chatter and choosing an empowering response. As an executive coach, I've worked with hundreds of women who need this book. Shelmina, I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for writing this book. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for being a model in the world for women!
Shelmina writes about her life experiences, shares stories and practical exercises that if applied with strategic intention can enable you to reach your goals.
Few things I found insightful: - Leaning into my authenticity - Power Quotient (PQ) - Collaborating around value creation - Paying it forward
The strategies outlined are all incredibly relevant to help you grow and advance your career!
This book is great! I really am using such great pieces in this book in my personal life. I like how there's goal setting, lists and personal stories to paint a good picture for the reader. Even though this book was created by Shelmina for women, I think anyone wanting to excel in life would value this book!
Must read to find best practices for a company, an exec, an employee and students finding jobs. I refer to her book often! I recommend her book everywhere. Shelmina's story gives readers a 'can do' attitude! Not to be missed.