You Should Smile More: How to Dismantle Gender Bias in the Workplace

by Dawn Hudson, Cie Nicholson, Mitzi Short

You Should Smile How to Dismantle Gender Bias in the Workplace empowers women and men to unlock a culture of greatness in the workforce—one little thing at a time. Written by six C-suite women with a collective resume covering 29 industries, the book offers a completely new lens through which to talk about and tackle the stubborn remnants of gender bias at work.

“In the business world, barriers to inclusion are barriers to success,” states a line from the book’s Introduction. “Diversity breeds better solutions faster if people feel comfortable in their environment.” But from small indignities to unconscious slights, women experience situations at work every day that may seem small or unimportant but that effectively differentiate and exclude them. These are not #MeToo moments - they are micro-offenses; the small, awkward, or uncomfortable moments that slow-build until the unwelcome environment takes hold and women disengage.

Situations the authors address range from things like use of the term “girl” versus “woman,” watching male colleagues leave work for a social event where women colleagues were left off the invite list or hearing that a qualified woman shouldn’t be offered an assignment because she has small children at home. You Should Smile More shows witnesses, allies, supervisors, and women at every level in their careers how to dismantle everyday gender bias, based upon the latest research, personal accounts, and interviews with dozens of professionals, both women and men.

Widely known as a meme, the title itself is now a call-to-action against the very advice women so frequently hear from male colleagues or bosses. The authors spotlight these all-too-familiar moments, offering realistic strategies every witness can use to confront and productively address them. The information within the book finally advances women in the corporate workplace as equals and advances organizations on the path to creating cultures of true inclusion.

The authors call themselves “The Band of Sisters” and have collectively seen it all, from the bottom rung to the boardroom. They know firsthand how hard it is to navigate these gendered situations in the moment. Now they share their experience with a forward-looking eye -- often with humor, and in a way that recognizes the realities of the workplace.

With this book as a guide, The Band of Sisters are ready

+ Help anyone to recognize and effectively respond to these micro-moments rooted in gender bias.

+ Pave the way for their ultimate elimination, through shared participation.

+ Allow organizations to build high-performance cultures that truly value and include diverse perspectives and experiences.

Gender bias has been part of our workplaces for too long. We are at the point now where all of us who are in the workplace, around conference tables, water coolers and in Zoom meetings, must make the next push for real change.

Genres: Nonfiction, Womens, Book Club

304 pages, Hardcover

Published September 6, 2022

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six C-Suite executives - known as the Band of Sisters - have written an amazing book intended to "empower women and men to unlock a culture of greatness in the workforce—one little thing at a time." Their resumes are mind blowing and yes, the six of them wrote a book together. It's a female CSuite Avengers movie, essentially. Highly recommend for all genders.

[Carianne Carleo-Evangelist · Rating 4 out of 5]

I opted to read this book ahead of a training with the "Band of Sisters", the name the authors use for their collective, and I really appreciated the examples they provided and advice about how to handle the situations. Especially helpful was the input they included from Millennial, Gen Z as a complement to their older Gen X, Boomer perspective.

In some cases they were in alignment, in others they differed which presented a 360 look at the situations women in the workplace. While I think this was a factor of all authors being, apparently, cis women, I would have liked more about issues faced by the transgender population, but overall a good read.

[Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read if you are a female in a male dominated field. Although some themes felt redundant in the way that we, as women, have lived them, there were insightful was to combat this behavior/norms. There were even some things I realized that I could do better moving forward and when I eventually reach a position of power I plan to implement. For example: “who’s the new girl in accounting?”, we would never say the same sentence and say boy (other than kate quick), so the book really made me more aware of my contributions to this bull shit.

[Michelle Sauvageau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book on dismantling gender bias and how to address overt sexism and smaller micro-aggressions in the workplace. I liked that all six women in The Band of Sisters got their voices highlighted throughout the book.

This is not usually the case for me on a topic like this, but I wish some of the chapters would have been even more in-depth and longer in this book. These women have so much combined experience that I wish I could have heard even more examples and feedback from them. Basically, I wish they were all my coaches and mentors!

[Sarah Dawson · Rating 2 out of 5]

A self-help book on 'how to dismantle gender bias in the workplace'. The secondary title makes it sound so much more impressive than it actually is...

I read this as part of my company's women book club and had some hope that it would give some good actions on how to confront inappropriate behavior at work. Instead, I felt like it villainized men to be way worse than they are, didn't give real actionable items for anyone less than a program director, and wasn't aimed at all towards any career field other than marketing/sales. Coming from a STEM field, most of the issues applied to us, but the actions weren't relatable.

Our entire book club was disappointed with his one, so I can't recommend it.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun yet informative read! I have experienced or witnessed many situations in the book first hand. Some of them were conscious bias, more of them were unconscious bias. A few were hostile sexism. More often than not, they were “benevolent sexism”. As the book said, bias and sexism, whether they were conscious or unconscious, malicious or benevolent. They were two sides of the same sexism coin. Sexism damaged women’s performance. It diminished our value and overshadowed our voices. It made us doubt our abilities and self-worth.
Gender bias in the workplace is prevalent. It hinders women from advancing higher and quicker. But how to deal with such situations? I have asked internet and friends many times. This book, written by six C-suite women, gave readers guidance from humorous response (less aggressive) to assertive answer.
Lastly, the book is not just for women, it is for everyone who experiences, witnesses or participates in the situation. Empowering women and all diverse people to realize their full potential is good for the team and the company. Diversity brings better solutions faster.
I am so excited to exercise what I have learnt from the book and want to see more of the Band of Sisters.

[Meg · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read it. So you don't have to. I honestly can't tell who the audience is for this book, but it is absolutely not me, and I would never give this to a recent college graduate.

The insight is superficial at best. Provides little guidance or hope for how one can take corrective measures to help dismantle gender bias. So much of the advice is play along with the white male work culture until you can eventually volunteer to plan future meetings/events and maybe you will then be able to potentially make some sort of change eventually. Also, when in doubt, behave like a (again white) male as it's too risky to try to be yourself.

PS - Definitely never wear a crop top, even when working remotely.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting much but really enjoyed this review of sexism and gender bias in the workplace by six former Pepsi execs. Reading much like a novel, there are examples that most women will recognize as well as concrete practical advice. As someone who has worked for 35+ years, I didn’t “learn” anything new per se but definitely could identify with many of the scenarios presented.

Tackling semantics (girl v woman), parenting for moms v dads, apologizing v stating facts, the Superwoman syndrome, awkward chivalry (excuse my French); acting in way that is in fact not complimentary but “others” women and undermines them.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Focuses on the experiences of women in the workplace and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) pressures they face. Although the book is written primarily from a women’s perspective, I found it genuinely helpful as a man and appreciated the insight it gave into workplace dynamics I hadn’t fully considered. Several points made me reflect on my own behavior, and I’ll apply what I learned in my professional life.

While a few sections felt repetitive, the overall message is strong and worthwhile. A thoughtful and eye-opening read that I’d recommend, especially for anyone wanting to be more aware and intentional at work.

[Sara Mandich · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book really resonated with me, especially since I work in a male-dominated industry. I also went to a conference and heard the authors (6 women) speak and they were amazing. This book does a great job uncovering unconscious bias towards women in the workplace but unfortunately, the majority of people that need to read this are men. And I don't think they are reading it.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful advice for women and allies navigating gendered issues in the workplace. I found the suggestions practical and the situations appropriately current.
It just makes me angry that there is a need for these books in the first place. Let’s all do better.

[Sierra Lirette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Repetitive and not mind blowing.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoughtful and insightful tips on how to dismantle gender bias in the workplace.

[Jon Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended by a client. Eye-opening for me as someone on the other side of the bias. Timely as well.