Breaking Through Bias
Communication Techniques for Women to Succeed at Work
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- £2.99
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- £2.99
Publisher Description
More than fifty years after the beginning of the Women's Movement, women are still not "making it" in traditionally male careers.
Women start their careers on parity with men but generally end them far earlier, having achieved less status, lower compensation, and less satisfaction than men. Breaking Through Bias explains that it is the stereotypes about women, men, work, leadership, and family that hold women back, and it presents an integrated set of communication techniques that women can use to avoid the discriminatory consequences of these stereotypes.
This highly practical book makes clear that women don't need to change who they are to succeed in their chosen careers, and they certainly don't need to act more like men. Women do, however, need to be attuned to the negative gender stereotypes that surround them; they need to anticipate the biases these stereotypes foster, and they need to manage the impressions they make to avoid or overcome these biases.
Breaking Through Bias presents unique, practical, and effective advice about how women can at last break through gender bias in the workplace and win at the career advancement game.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
According to spouses Kramer and Harris, "Women don't need to be fixed," but society does, and quickly. The authors begin by telling how they met at the small law firm where Kramer began her career. She was surprised that the founding partners, Harris included, treated her the same way they treated the male associates. The authors proceed to identify a serious advancement problem for women, who make up 45% of entry-level professionals but only 17% of C-suite executives. They blame this gap on the pervasiveness of gender stereotypes, which lead to a kind of "benevolent sexism" that's as damaging as it is unintentional. Kramer and Harris acknowledge that systemic change is important, but it takes time, which leaves current would-be executives in the dust. One issue they single out is that most men believe they have no biases, and don't understand how difficult it is for women in the workplace; persuading such men to be allies is the first step. The authors discuss managing perceptions, being aware of body language, crafting communications, and using anger to its best effect. This is a well-organized, well-thought-out call to action, but the trick will be getting men to pick it up.
