HBR Women at Work

It's time for female leaders to shine. Women face a double bind, forced to choose whether to be liked or respected, while neither one alone is enough to secure a seat at the table. It is up to organizations to change, but until then, what's an aspiring female leader to do? You, the Leader tackles these obstacles and more as women chart their path to the top, from a lack of credit for their work to feeling invisible to unfair biases. This book will help you better understand how women can lead with authenticity and become valued leaders in their organizations. This book will inspire you to: see yourself as a leader, command the respect you deserve, ensure you're visible for promotion, align yourself with the right supporters and mentors, break out of the authenticity paradox, and navigate power dynamics within your organization. The HBR Women at Work series spotlights the real challenges and opportunities women experience throughout their careers. With interviews from the popular podcast of the same name and related articles, stories, and research, these books provide inspiration and advice for taking on topics at work like inequity, advancement, and building community. Featuring detailed discussion guides, this series will help you spark important conversations about where we're at and how to move forward.

Make yourself heard. When women we admire such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg advise "Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes" and Vice President Kamala Harris has to remind a room full of men "I'm speaking," it can feel as though having our own voices heard at work can be a lost cause. Whether we're confronting a colleague about an inappropriate comment or trying to avoid being talked over by a male colleague-again-we can find ways to have our voices heard at work. Speak Up, Speak Out helps listeners use their voices more effectively to sound off on issues large and small. From addressing sexual harassment to micro-aggressions to breaking through subconscious gendered conversational patterns, you'll find research, advice, and practical tips to help you move forward. This book will inspire you to: prepare for the most common scenarios you'll encounter, step in when you witness untoward behavior, address and redirect an inappropriate conversation, break ingrained conversational habits like apologizing and complimenting, deal with interrupters and overspeakers, and know when to engage-and how to respond.

A purposeful career path starts with you. As a woman, navigating your career path can be challenging. At times you're faced with lack of support, unconscious bias and negative assumptions, disruptive career pauses, and more. So how can you get beyond these obstacles and progress your career in a way that is meaningful and fulfilling? “Taking Charge of Your Career” helps listeners navigate the tricky territory of charting a rewarding career path. Whether you're new to the workforce, reentering after a pause, or trying to find your way through a midcareer slump, you'll find research, advice, and practical tips to help you move forward. This book will inspire you to: decide what a meaningful career looks like to you, align yourself with the right supporters and mentors, approach hard decisions with confidence, navigate difficult transitions, and be your own biggest advocate.

Build trust-and create more value. Whether you're negotiating a salary, a deal with a supplier, or your workload, thoughtful preparation increases your confidence, resilience-and results. But it's not just numbers and strategies. Advocating for yourself, your team, and your business can feel personal, so you also need to manage the emotions that arise during the process. Next-Level Negotiating provides the research, advice, and practical tips you need to counter the harmful stereotypes about women and negotiation to communicate clearly who you are and what you need. Establish trust with your counterpart and face negotiations of any size with curiosity, creativity, and a collaborative mindset, all the essentials to successfully seal a deal. This book will inspire you to: set a clear target, and imagine alternatives; consider your counterpart's context and perspective; manage the emotions in the room; and strike a deal that works for you.

Combat age discrimination in your workplace. Everyone experiences age-related bias at some point in their careers, but for women the costs are greater. Sure, there are laws and organizational rules prohibiting age-related discrimination, but lived experience shows there's no "right age" to be a woman. Whether you're seen as too old or too young, ageism affects the opportunities you have access to, how others perceive you, and how much your contributions are valued. “Overcoming Ageism” offers stories, research, and advice about navigating gendered age discrimination and bias at work. From advocating for yourself to ensuring continual learning and curiosity, you'll learn how to show others the unique expertise you bring to the organization and take back control of your career growth. This book will inspire you to: -Establish your credibility with those around you -Overcome imposter syndrome -Build a support system across age groups -Work together to end age bias in your organization

Relationships built on trust matter. Deep and meaningful interpersonal connections at work are critical to your career - and to your well-being. Bonds built on trust allow women to help one another, exchange information, and be more productive. But high-quality professional relationships are only possible with emotional openness - and not all women feel they can be vulnerable enough in the office to develop these kinds of ties. Making Real Connections explores the many ways that our working relationships with other women are usually amazing - and sometimes messy. This book will inspire you to: find more authentic ways to grow your network, seek out a sponsor - or become one, get the most out of professional conferences, enjoy the rewards of having real friends at work, navigate problems when work relationships become draining, and connect in ways that are more natural, less transactional. The HBR Women at Work series spotlights the real challenges and opportunities women experience throughout their careers. With interviews from the popular podcast of the same name and related articles, stories, and research, these books provide inspiration and advice for taking on topics at work like inequity, advancement, and building community. Featuring detailed discussion guides, this series will help you spark important conversations about where we're at and how to move forward.

Find success in a workplace dominated by men. Sexism. Self-doubt. Invisibility. When you're one of the only women in your workplace, it can be difficult to gain your footing. Organizations need to change, but in the meantime, women can find success in these settings-and even flourish in them. Thriving in a Male-Dominated Workplace provides the advice you need to ensure your professional growth in roles and industries that have traditionally been filled by and controlled by men. From connecting with the right people to growing your confidence to fighting back against bias, you'll be able to establish your credibility and be seen by your colleagues as the expert you are. This book will inspire you to: - Find support across the organization - Overcome impostor syndrome and self-doubt - Speak up for yourself and your accomplishments - Build a better culture-once and for all