Julia GillardWomen and Leadership: Lessons from some of the world’s most powerful women

Objective statistics on women in leadership positions in politics, finance or business, and statistics on the gender pay gap show that the pecking order of power positions white men first, followed by men of colour, then white women, and, finally, women of colour.Women make up less than 10 per cent of national leaders, and behind this lies a pattern of unequal access to power. The World Economic Forum has calculated that at the current rate of improvement, it will take ninety-five years to close the global gender gap in political representation.Using published findings as a starting point, the authors form questions and hypotheses, then test them on the lived experiences of women leaders such as Jacinda Ardern, Hillary Clinton and Theresa May, among others.These women talk about having their ideas stolen by male colleagues, about what it's like to be called fat or a slut in the media, and about the things they wish they’d done differently. Their stories reveal how gender and sexism affect perceptions of women as leaders, the trajectories of their leaderships, and the circumstances in which they come to an end.In examining their journeys, the book analyses whether their experiences are in line with or different from what research predicts, thus endeavouring to identify obstacles holding women back and how best these hurdles can be cleared for them to become leaders.The lessons learned from these women leaders provide a road map of essential knowledge in a manner useful to women everywhere, as well as an action agenda for change that allows women to take control, address prejudices and combat gender bias.

“When you are reading this sentence, somewhere in our world, a child will be born. Inhaling a first breath, uttering a first cry, receiving a first cuddle and kiss—this child represents another possibility for humanity. This child might become a leader who profoundly improves our world.Should that potential promise be thwarted just because we hold our prejudices too dear or we find the process of letting go too confronting?The answer each of us gives to that question, in word and deed, defines us and our future.That is the biggest lesson of all.”A very insightful book, written by two female politicians and based on interviews with eight other female politicians from all over the world. Provides some important lessons for female leaders, male leaders and the media.

Interesting

This book is a must read for all women seeking to advance their career and becoming leaders in all fields. Full of real-life advice and tips. Loved reading it and will certainly recommend to all women in my life.

Fantastic book so far. Should be mandatory reading for every man so we can smarten the .... up

A disappointment - I thought I was getting something different from what was implied by the title.Language at times unnecessarily negative throughout and seems to stereotype women.Little structure and it rambles a lot.The practical examples section which to me was the main point of buying the book to give to two colleagues comes across as an afterthought in chapter 12 - there is really very little being said.It feels more like life stories and journalism and I am afraid the “real lessons” bit does not have the language, structure or content for a UK audience in my humble opinion.

One of the most readable non-fiction books I have ever read. It was jam-packed with fascinating interviews with trailblazing women, many of whom I fear I would never have heard of. It delves deep into the intersection between politics and psychology- a place which exposes some scary and outdated attitudes towards women. If you are considering buying this book, please do it.