The Orange Line

About the Authors

The authors of The Orange Line: A Woman's Guide to Integrating Career, Family & Life, Jodi Ecker Detjen, Michelle A. Waters, and Kelly Watson, bring a wealth of experience and insight into the complex dynamics of balancing career, family, and personal fulfillment. Jodi Ecker Detjen is a Professor of Management at Suffolk University, Boston, and a principal partner of a boutique consulting firm, the InTrinsic Group. Michelle Waters is a seasoned Senior Executive, consultant, and coach, focusing on integrating work, life, and family. Kelly Watson, a former marketing executive, now provides consulting services to a variety of companies. Together, they combine their extensive backgrounds to offer a transformative perspective on how women can navigate their professional and personal lives with greater harmony and fulfillment.

Main Idea

The core premise of The Orange Line is to challenge and redefine the traditional paradigms that constrain women's careers and personal lives. The authors introduce the concept of the Feminine Filter, a set of outdated beliefs and societal expectations that limit women's potential. They advocate for an integrated life path—The Orange Line—that allows women to thrive both professionally and personally without having to choose between the two. By developing specific skills and adopting new mindsets, women can break free from these limiting beliefs and achieve a more balanced, fulfilling life.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to The Orange Line Philosophy
2. Recognizing The Feminine Filter
3. The Six Core Skills for Living The Orange Line
4. The Green Start
5. Approaching Burnout
6. Family Matters
7. The Sabbatical
8. Re-Entry
9. The Mid-Career Transition
10. Continuing to Live an Orange Line Life

Introduction to The Orange Line Philosophy

In The Orange Line, the authors present three career trajectory models for women: The Green Line, The Red Line, and The Orange Line. The Green Line represents a traditional, career-centric path where women focus singularly on their professional achievements, often at the expense of other aspects of their lives. The Red Line signifies a career interrupted or curtailed due to shifting priorities towards family or personal life. The Orange Line, however, proposes a new paradigm—a balanced approach where women place themselves at the center of their decisions, integrating career, family, and personal fulfillment.

“There is a new career track opportunity called The Orange Line. Instead of a singular focus on work from the beginning, The Orange Line is a launching pad for a robust, whole life integrating work, family, and self.” — Jodi Ecker Detjen, Michelle A. Waters, Kelly Watson

This innovative approach encourages women to break free from the binary choice of career versus family, fostering a life where they can excel in both areas simultaneously. By adopting the Orange Line philosophy, women can achieve a more satisfying and enriched existence.

Recognizing The Feminine Filter

The Feminine Filter is a central concept in the book, describing the societal and self-imposed beliefs that hinder women's progress. These assumptions include the belief that women must be the primary caretakers at home, work harder to prove their commitment, strive for perfection, seek external validation, downplay material rewards, and follow established rules without question. The Feminine Filter traps women in a cycle of unrealistic expectations and self-doubt, preventing them from reaching their full potential.