What do you get when you pair a COVID lockdown with a powerhouse team of C-suite women passionate about addressing workplace gender bias? A gem of a read that’s packed with insight, advice and actionable guidance. You Should Smile More: How to Dismantle Gender Bias in the Workplace is the book I wish I had when navigating the ranks of corporate America. It seamlessly marries personal, first-hand storytelling and smart academic research with relevant, practical tips and guidance for anyone working in business today.
Authored by an impressive roster of C-suite executives who call themselves, “The Band of Sisters,” rockstars Dawn Hudson, Angelique Bellmer Krembs, Katie Lacey, Lori Tauber Marcus, Cie Nicholson and Mitzi Short share their diverse, distinctive, clear voices and perspectives in this incredibly important conversation. All former senior-level PepsiCo execs, the authors tap into their decades of rich, C-suite experiences in organizations including the NFL, BlackRock, ESPN, Peloton and Equinox, among others. Each is using her voice to spark sometimes-challenging discussions around gender equity and creating inclusive workplace cultures.
From the “inauthentic invite” to the “cellophane standoff” to the “good soldier” attitude, the book also wraps clever language around some of the awkward, familiar, and often unnamed situations women experience in the context of business.
Gender aside, the authors encourage all readers to do their own work in uncovering their own biases and the “particles that collect around us and create barriers” to careers.
Some of my favorite ah-has?
- On building diverse teams, Angelique Bellmer Krembs suggests we consider candidates that are “cultural adds” vs. “cultural fits.”
- On self-promotion, Mitzi Short says that beyond delivering solid performance, “…people have to know about the work you are doing, and leaders need to feel comfortable working with you.”
- On emotion in the workplace, Lori Tauber Marcus reminds us, “…oftentimes when women are at the point of tears, it’s because of anger—and that is a different way than most men express anger.”
- On the differentiation between mentorship and sponsorship: “A sponsor is someone who will vouch for you, put their own reputation on the line for you…Your sponsor must be certain that you will deliver.”
Wherever you are in your career, do yourself a huge service and pick up a copy today. This
“Band” of respected leaders and mentors offers a quick read packed with insightful, helpful, insider tales, practical examples, and lessons everyone can—and should – learn from.
With more than two decades of communications experience spanning agencies, Fortune-100 organizations, non-profits and academia, Kristi Hinck Mills today brings her passion for employee communications to CommsLede Consulting, where she delivers strategic solutions and executive coaching for her clients. Visit the CommsLede blog for more tips.
