I am a sucker for great writing. If someone can convey meaning with pithy word choices and compelling structure, they have me by the first comma. Thus, I am doubly pleased when such talent is applied to a review of one of my books.
This is not a humblebrag (nothing humble about it), or even a brag-brag. Let’s call it a shoutout-brag, as I have to give a huge “Grazie!” to Jeff Harris for writing this fun, insightful review of How Women Can Succeed in the Workplace (Despite Having “Female Brains”). In fact, I am pretty sure he summarizes the book better than my Amazon description.
Here is his review, in full:
I am an executive coach, and close to 2/3 of my clients are female leaders. As a male, I am constantly trying to earn credibility with these women as we explore the universal question: “how can I gain success as a woman, in a male-centric work organization?” I am pleased to have read this book and added it to my clients’ required reading list.
I like the book for several reasons. First, her observations of male and female approaches to conducting work are spot-on. Specifically, her description of how men think and relate at work were exactly my own experience, like she had been reading my mail! Her skill in conceptualizing these characteristics exceeded my own ability to do so, which increased my respect for the material.
Secondly, Valerie speaks candidly and fearlessly (she follows her own advice from the book), so that you won’t feel like you’re reading fluff.
Finally, she includes some useful case studies to demonstrate her recommended techniques.
The premises of her book, and I think they are a sound approach, is (1) to accept that our modern male and female brains are the product of millions of years of useful adaptation, and that there’s enough neurobiology research to support that; (2) that work organizations are most often male-constructed, and therefore the organization rewards and promotes male work characteristics; and that (3) women can succeed by adopting three male traits without sacrificing their feminine strengths.
What are those three work-necessary traits? Well, you’ll have to buy the book and read that in Valerie’s own words, plus a great section on seven DOs and DON’Ts.
