Standing at the Crossroads: Next Steps for High Achieving Women

I bought this book while attending a leadership course at the Center for Creative Leadership this past summer -- grappling with some issues related to gender and leadership. Every page of this book spoke to me in a way that the numerous other leadership books I've read never have. It provided clear examples to illustrate complex concepts, weaving together women's stories with principles gleaned from the authors' experiences and research, as well as related theories and research. I am an academic who has been in leadership roles for two decades. I found the book inspiring, educational, and is one I expect to go back to numerous times -- revisiting the exercises proposed to help think through relevant issues. I have recommended this book to many colleagues who are interested in women's leadership.

I picked up this book casually on my way into a bookstore... to add to those which I would peruse on my cross-country flight. I quickly found myself thoroughly engrossed in the stories of 61 women managers and executives who seemingly "had it all." I found myself thinking through episodes in my own life and identifying with the choices, tradeoffs, and dilemmas of several different women. It gave me some new appreciation of and insights into how successful women grapple with the issue of integrating their personal and professional lives in order to live life to the fullest, whatever their own personal definition of that might be. I used some of the strategies suggested in one chapter to help me think through a career problem I'm currently grappling with. This book was an easy and insightful read; it turned out to be the ONLY book I read during my flight! I would encourage all women, not just managers, to read this book; it addresses concerns that almost all of us have. For that matter, even though the research is based on women, I know from personal experiece that many men are grappling with similar issues, and they would probably find the book helpful as well. Even if not interested for themselves, it would help them better understand their wives, daughters, and female coworkers.

Although this book is written with women managers in mind, the issues and themes it discusses will resonate with every woman who has ever juggled a number of different roles in her life - and probably with many men as well! The authors discuss five key developmental themes in women's lives -- the need to act authentically, make connections, control one's destiny, achieve wholeness, and gain self-clarity -- and show how these themes combine to create a whole that is dynamic and unique to every woman. In addition, the book is filled with practical tips and helpful exercises to help the reader who wants to develop in these areas. One thing that makes this book stand out from many other popular business books is that it is based on an extremely solid piece of research. The authors interviewed more than sixty women, followed them over time, and collected other information about them. Yet, although it is based on an academic study, the book is an easy read - very enjoyable. Almost every woman should be able to find herself somewhere in this book. I highly recommend it!