As the American workforce slowly emerges from the worst recession since the Great Depression, women in particular are finding a changed landscape. While they continue to take home less than their male counterparts, (women make 75 percent less than men), they are also facing a barrage of new challenges. Adding to the demands of children and spouses are aging parents, return-to-the-nest children and the constant demands of updated technology, such as the distractions of email and the Internet.
These can also be exciting times for women. They are gaining bachelor’s and master’s degrees faster than men, have more of a voice in the workplace and are proving daily the power of relationships, at which they generally excel over men.
Two recent books provide a barometer of the fast-changing role of women in the workplace. As the world continues to be in flux, this role will continue to evolve.
Wicked Success is Inside Every Woman
by Vicki L. Milazzo (Wiley)
Author Vicki Milazzo adamantly states her newest bestseller is not a self-help book.
Wicked Success is Inside Every Woman is instead a “buck-up book with a buck-up plan for women who are ready to buck up.”
Milazzo’s call to action demands women stop “whining and complaining” and take “an active role in the creation of the life you really want.” The term “wicked” has nothing to do with green witches but instead means to act in an uncommon way, developing a new perspective.
Such a new viewpoint involves making five promises that will guide you to success:
1. I will live and work a passionate life.
2. I will go for it or reject it outright.
3. I will take one action step a day toward my passionate vision.
4. I commit to being a “success student” for life.
5. I believe as a woman, I really can do anything.
Milazzo has developed these promises from her own experience, which she generously shares. There is a sense of getting to know her personally as you read this story of how she went from a $28,000 yearly nursing salary to owning her own multimillion-dollar business. Her retelling is never boastful, aka the Donald Trump method of success. She shares in such a way that makes you feel she wants you to be equally successful and to help you do so.
She presents 10 strengths that must be developed. They include intuitive vision, engagement, agility, integrity and renewal. All women possess these forces that can be harnessed by the five promises into daily action.
The author’s own authenticity and honesty come forth in the book as she presents her ideas with a healthy dose of reality about today’s working world. If you’re ready to bring out the “wicked” success inside you, this book may be just what you need.
How Remarkable Women Lead: The Breakthrough Model for Work and Life
by Joanna Barsh & Susie Cranston (Crown Business)
In her quest to discover how remarkable women lead, Joanna Barsh describes a personal journey that is quickly joined by many remarkable women leaders. The discoveries of this incredible expedition are captured in the highly readable How Remarkable Women Lead.
She and her co-authors determine that all remarkable leaders must take “the journey to the center.” To do so, they must have a desire to lead, both talent and knowledge, and the capacity to accept change.
Barsh characterizes this “centered leadership” as divided into five overlapping areas.
1. Meaning: Meaning underpins every other part of the leadership process. The sense of meaning is what inspires, guides and creates options.
2. Framing: This is the critical reality of viewing situations clearly in order to move ahead.
3. Connecting: Women lead the way in making meaningful connections.
4. Engaging: Leaders are responsible for taking ownership of risks and opportunities.
5. Energizing: Leaders must learn to manage their energy and flow.
Each of these areas is developed in chapters that build upon one another. Each is part of the journey of leadership — an ongoing process, not a final destination.
The authors developed their ideas on centered leadership through five years of extensive research on women leaders. Their interviews include hundreds of women at all levels of leadership. The candor exhibited in these interviews is remarkable, providing a personal, conversational tone to the work.
The authors emphasize that it is the development of personal qualities that lead to exceptional leadership. These ideas have often been associated with feminine leadership qualities. In today’s rapidly changing, relationship-oriented world, they may be exactly what is needed.