Breaking Into The Boys' Club »

This is the ultimate guide for women who want to advance professionally. It contains straight talk about the mistakes women make and how to fix them in order to achieve more personal and professional satisfaction and success. Unique to this book is a discussion of the biological basis for the different leadership skills exhibited by men and women, as well as a separate chapter on the distinctive challenges that African-American women face.

Publishers Weekly

Why do women still have so much trouble making their way into the upper echelons of corporate America? According to the authors, it's not quality of work that holds them back but something more insidious. While women try to get ahead by logging long hours and working to become experts in their fields, their male counterparts are easily included in corporate culture (golf, drinks, lunches, etc.) and get inside information and more face time with superiors. The authors leap to the rescue with a guide to networking, strategic horn tooting, understanding company politics, self-presentation and achieving a healthy work/life balance. A plethora of charts, step-by-step planning guides and self-report cards will help women target why they're not getting ahead even if they're doing better work than their male colleagues. While much of the material is familiar, the book's appeal lies in its engaging presentation and pragmatic steps to overcome problems every working woman will inevitably face. A must-have for any woman tired of being confounded by male company culture. (May)

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Acknowledgments ix

Preface: Confidential to Women xi

Introduction: What's Holding Women Back? 1

1 Deliver the Right Message: Communicate Clearly and Get Your Ideas Heard 15

2 Make the Connection: Network Strategically to Advance Your Career 38

3 Sell Your Strengths: Distinguish Yourself through Self-Promotion 68

4 Learn the Rules, Play the Game: Navigate the Politics of Your Corporate Culture 87

5 Make the Most of a Mentor: Maximize Your Mentoring Relationships 105

6 Maintain Your Balance: Take Control of Your Work and Life 125

7 Present Yourself with Impact and Presence: Influence Others with an Enhanced Appearance and Manner 143

8 Keep Your Career on Track: Set Goals and Manage Your Success 164

9 Special for Women of African Descent: Leveling the Playing Field 185

Afterword: The Future: A Third Face of Leadership 201

Appendix: A Man's Perspective: Men Must Be Part of the Solution, Not the Problem 205

Further Reading 209

References 215

About the Authors 217