How Women Rise

About the Authors

Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith, both luminaries in the field of leadership and personal development, combine their extensive experience and insights in the book "How Women Rise." Sally Helgesen is widely recognized as one of the world's premier experts on women's leadership. Her pioneering work in this area has shaped how organizations view and implement strategies for promoting women into leadership roles. Helgesen's previous works, such as "The Female Advantage" and "The Web of Inclusion," have had a profound impact on the way leadership is understood in a gendered context. Her ability to blend research with practical advice has earned her a place in the Thinkers50 Hall of Fame, cementing her legacy as a thought leader in business management.

Marshall Goldsmith is an equally influential figure in the realm of executive coaching and leadership development. His books, including "What Got You Here Won’t Get You There" and "Triggers," have been best-sellers and are considered must-reads for anyone interested in personal and professional growth. Goldsmith's coaching has helped countless leaders across the globe improve their effectiveness and achieve greater success. His philosophy, which centers on behavioral change as the key to leadership success, aligns perfectly with Helgesen's focus on dismantling the internal barriers that women face in the workplace.

Together, Helgesen and Goldsmith offer a unique and powerful perspective on the challenges that women encounter as they rise through the ranks of their careers. Their combined expertise makes "How Women Rise" an essential guide for women looking to overcome the obstacles that hold them back from reaching their full potential.

Main Idea

"How Women Rise" is a comprehensive guide that explores the subtle yet pervasive barriers that women often face in their professional lives. These barriers, as Helgesen and Goldsmith argue, are largely self-imposed, rooted in behaviors and thought patterns that women have internalized over time due to societal expectations. The book identifies 12 specific habits that women tend to develop, which, while often stemming from positive intentions, ultimately hinder their career progress. The main idea is that by recognizing and actively working to change these habits, women can break free from the limitations that prevent them from achieving their professional goals.

The authors emphasize that these habits are not inherently "female" but are more prevalent among women due to the different social conditioning they experience compared to men. By addressing these habits head-on, the book provides practical strategies for women to advance in their careers, gain recognition, and achieve the success they deserve.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Selling Yourself Short
• Pleasing Others
• Perfectionism
• Overthinking
• Tips for Overcoming Detrimental Behaviors
• Conclusion

Selling Yourself Short

One of the most insidious habits that Helgesen and Goldsmith identify is the tendency for women to sell themselves short. This behavior is deeply ingrained, often starting in childhood when girls are encouraged to be modest and avoid drawing attention to themselves. As women grow up, this mindset evolves into a reluctance to advocate for their achievements and goals in the workplace. Helgesen and Goldsmith argue that this self-effacing behavior can severely limit a woman's career trajectory.

In many professional environments, those who are most vocal about their accomplishments and ambitions are the ones who get noticed and promoted. Women, however, often hesitate to speak up, fearing that they will be perceived as arrogant or self-serving. This reluctance is compounded by societal expectations that women should be humble and accommodating. The result is that women often do not receive the recognition they deserve for their work, which in turn affects their confidence and limits their opportunities for advancement.

The authors explain that "To progress in their careers, women must be able to advocate for themselves so people see why they’re credible and deserving of promotion."

Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith

This statement encapsulates one of the key messages of the book: self-advocacy is not just a strategy for career success, but a necessity. Without it, even the most talented and hardworking women may find themselves overlooked and undervalued.