Women face multiple disadvantages in the workforce. Economic and societal restrictions keep women from reaching the higher rungs of the business world. While that is changing it’s hard to navigate the road, but there are lots of great resources for women in business to take advantage of and learn from. Here is a collection of books, videos, and articles for those looking for knowledge on how to get ahead. No matter how much time you have to spare, there’s something here for you!
Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
Amazon
Sheryl Sandberg
Sandberg is the chief operating officer of Facebook who gave a great Ted talk called “Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders” about how women unintentionally hold themselves back in their careers. This talk inspired this continuation of the conversation with personal anecdotes, straightforward data and research, and the voice of a powerful woman. This book is a mixture of practical advice for negotiation and building your career. Sandberg talks about her journey and what women can do to combine a great personal and professional life, and how men can support women both at work and at home. She has even more Ted talks and books for you to check out.
Sex Differences in the Perceived Dominance and Prestige of Women With and Without Cosmetics
Viktoria R. Mileva, Alex L. Jones, Richard Russell, Anthony C. Little
Could how you wear your makeup be affecting whether or not you’re getting ahead? Actually yeah. Women who wear the right amount of cosmetics are associated with higher status and higher-paying jobs. This scientific study breaks down how men and women rated images of women wearing cosmetics and how that would affect them in the business world. There is a surprising amount of information on the topic and a lot of different scientific studies. If you want to learn more about them check out our article Could Your Makeup Be Affecting Your Career?
Own It: The Power of Women at Work Hardcover
Amazon
Sallie Krawcheck
Are you looking for a business pep talk? Krawcheck’s powerful book is a feminist business manifesto. Stop doing things the men’s way and start doing it your way. When we take advantage of our own natural power we can forge new paths, find companies that respect our worth, and learn to “invest our economic muscle”. As a longstanding witness to the boys club of business Krawcheck’s personal story is informative and inspiring.
Can We “Have It All”
Anne-Marie Slaughter
Public policy expert Slaughter talks about her 2012 article “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All” and expands upon her ideas. She talks about shifts in work culture, public policy, and social mores that can benefit everyone on the road to gender equality. If you have the time to read her original article from The Atlantic I recommend that you do! She talks about her experiences working in the White House doing important work, and how divided she felt. Slaughter firmly believes we can have it all but the way our economy and society are structured are holding us back.
Women in Business- Entirely Unremarkable
Kirsten Hall
In this ted talk Kirsten Hall poses the question, what happens if you stop celebrating women in business just for being women in business? Would that help reduce the idea that it’s unique or strange so that we could all work towards it being the new normal? As more and more women achieve higher ranks in industries around the world it is time for these women to not be remarkable just for their gender.
