What Works for Women at Work: Four Patterns Working Women Need to Know
*Starred Review* This title is many steps beyond Lean In (2013), Sheryl Sandberg’s prescription for getting ahead in business. What Works for Women at Work is filled with street-smart advice and plain old savvy about the way life works in corporate America. Law professor Williams teams up with her daughter to pen an insightful guide for women who want to break through the glass ceiling. It starts by identifying the four behavioral patterns of working women. One, called the “Tug of War,” describes feminine-versus-tomboy instincts. Another, “Prove It Again,” provides no recourse other than being smarter, sharper, and more successful more often than male counterparts. Culled from 127 in-depth interviews, the four behavioral patterns are described in detail and buttressed by anecdotes and examples as well as action plans that are pragmatic and frequently laced with humor. Sidebars like “How to Be a Great Boss” and notes on Michelle Obama’s transformation make for an entertaining must-read. Our favorite quote, from the late Bella Abzug: “Our struggle today is not to have a female Einstein get promoted as an assistant professor. It is for a woman schlemiel to get as quickly promoted as a male schlemiel.” --Barbara Jacobs