BOOK REVIEW THREE ESSENTIALS FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
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March is Women’s History Month, during which we celebrate women of character, courage and commitment. Below, leading women in the STEM field have shared their favorite books that have helped them in their journey to success. Women of Color magazine present these books in hopes that you may find them helpful also.
“LEAN IN: WOMEN, WORK, AND THE WILL TO LEAD” BY SHERYL SANDBERG ISBN-13: 9780385349949 Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group Publication date: 3/11/2013 Pages: 240 “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead” is written by Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook. In the book Sandberg talks about the lack of women in leadership roles and offers simple solutions that can help women achieve their full potential. “…[V]ery inspiring. Two of my favorite chapters are ‘Sit at the Table’ and ‘It’s a Jungle Gym, Not a Ladder.’ I encourage everyone to read it. No, I’m telling everyone to ‘Lean In!’” —Courtney Coulter, computer engineer, Intelligence and Information Warfare Directorate (or I2WD) US Army Communications-Electronics RD&E Center
“THE FIRST 90 DAYS “ BY MICHAEL WATKINS ISBN-13: 9781591391104 Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press Publication date: 11/1/2003 Pages: 208 When entering a new leadership position, the first 90 days are the most critical. In this book Michael Watkins, a noted expert on leadership transition, talks about
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how critical the first few months are when you enter a new positions of leadership. He addresses common risks and challenges you are likely to encounter, and proven techniques to make the transition into your new position successful. “This book helped me understand that what created my past successes as an individual performer or team member aren’t the same things that would make me successful as a leader.” —Robyn DeWees, director, Mission Assurance Northrop Grumman
“THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF SUCCESS: LAWS OF LEADERSHIP FOR BLACK WOMEN” BY ELAINE MERYL BROWN, RHONDA JOY MCLEAN, MARSHA HAYGOOD Hardcover: 176 pages Publisher: One World/Ballantine; 1 edition (March 2, 2010) ISBN-10: 0345518489 ISBN-13: 978-0345518484 This book is a great book written by three Black executives who have climbed the ladder of success and wish to reach back and help as many women professionals as they can. They share their ideas and experiences. “[The Little Black Book of Success] is a great book that shares strategies to help all black women, at any level of their careers. It focuses on the building blocks of true leadership—self-confidence, effective communication, collaboration, and courage—while dealing specifically with stereotypes.” —Paige Lewter, electronics engineer, Naval Air Systems Command
Compiled by Ray Kennedy, rkennedy@ccgmag.com
www.womenofcolor.net