Happy International women’s day!! As we celebrate this day in 2023, here are six best leadership books that can power up your journey. You will find ideas of finding your voice and bringing it to the table. You can renew your focus on networking, women supporting other women, and the immense support that sisterhood brings into our lives.
Have you ever wondered how to navigate when you are the only woman in the room?
Do you wish to foray into entrepreneurship but are held back by your fears?
Are you actually doing that which brings you satisfaction and meaning?
These six best leadership books, exclusively written for women leaders, can nudge you in the right direction.
- Grit – The power of passion and perseverance by Angela Duckworth
What’s in the book?
This New York Times best seller, draws on Angela’s own story of despite being a scientist’s daughter noted her own lack of genius. She emphasises that success is not driven by genius. It is a unique combination of passion powered by long-term perseverance. This special blend is what she terms as “grit”. This personal, insightful book is a take on what goes through our heads when we fall or fail. Some valuable questions that the book raises are how can grit be learned regardless of IQ or circumstances? How to sustain a lifelong interest in learning?
About the author:
Dr.Angela Duckworth is a 2013 MacArthur Fellow and an associate professor of psychology at University of Pennsylvania. She is an expert on non-IQ competencies like grit and self-control.
- How remarkable women lead – Joanna Barsh, Susie Cranston & Geoffrey Lewis
What’s in the book?
This women leadership book, based on five years of research, speaks about what drives and sustains successful women. It brings up unique ideas with a hopeful outlook. The book raises provocative questions such as whether feminine leadership traits (for men and women) are better suited to deal with the fast-changing, hyper competitive, complex world.
The authors link joy, happiness and distinctive performance with a pathbreaking model on “Centred Leadership”. The centred leadership includes meaning, framing, connecting, engaging and energising to work. The authors engage with many women leaders’ personal stories to bring out the essence of centred leadership. The book offers a practical plan for breaking through at both work and in life.
About the authors
Joanna and Susie are Mckinsey consultants who were a part of Mckinsey’s centred leadership project, based on which the book is written.
- Daring to Rest : Reclaim your power with Yoganidra, Rest, Meditation – Karen Brody
What’s in the book?
Speaking to the women who can do it all, have it all and be it all, Karen Brody addresses the exhaustion that sets in with this freedom. A worn-out tired woman is so common now, that we think feeling tired all the time is normal. In Daring to Rest, Brody describes a 40 day programme to help to reclaim rest and access the most powerful and authentic self through Yoga Nidra, a meditative practice. This practice guides one into the deepest states of relaxation along with sleep and healing.
About the author:
Karen Brody is a women’s well-being and leadership expert who helps women journey from worn out to well rested and then dream big in their lives and work.
- The Most Powerful Woman in This Room is You: Command an Audience and Sell your Way to Success – Lydia Fenet
What’s in the book?
Based on her personal experience, Lydia takes us through her twenty year journey from an intern for a managing director to being the global head of a strategic partnership. The approach in the book empowers to create an individual “strike method” or signature moves to feel confident to enter any situation and empower women in the workplace. The situation could be overcoming the fear of asking anything or bridging a wage gap. Inspiring and encouraging, Lydia’s advice helps to walk into any room with the confidence of a leader and motivate others to find their voice as well.
About the author:
Lydida Fenet is a global thought leader who has held auctions and raised over a billion dollars for non profit organisations. She takes auctions all over the world as Christie’s ambassador.
- Know Your Value: Women, Money and Getting What You are Worth – Mika Brzezinski
What’s in the book?
Mika Brzezinski takes an in depth look into how women today achieve their deserved recognition and financial worth. The book blends in personal stories with latest research on why many women don’t negotiate their compensation, the real reasons behind why pay gaps persist, why negotiating aggressively usually backfires and what to do about it. Definitely a vital book for professional women of all ages.
About the author:
Mika Brzezinski is a co-host of Morning Jone, an MSNBC anchor, and also the author of New York Times bestseller All Things at Once.
- My Life In Full – Indra.K.Nooyi
What’s in the book?
One of the world’s most admired CEOs, this intimate memoir speaks the life story of an extraordinary leader’s life. Indra Nooyi lays down the bare difficulties that come along with managing a demanding career and a growing family and the lessons learnt along the way. Through the book, she makes an urgent actionable call for governments and businesses to prioritise paid leave, work flexibility, care eco system and improving community support for young family builders. All of these enable us to unleash the economy’s full power.
About the author:
Indra.K.Nooyi served as the CEO and chairman of Pepsico from 2006 to 2019. She is a renowned role model for women celebrated for her empowering messages on inclusivity.
Unleash your potential this year with these books recommended reads that tune into your women power.
Which book do you wish to start with?
Sailaja Manacha, a Master certified Coach from ICF, is known for her programs and coaching methods that combine psychology with leadership practices. In her work, Sailaja draws from Psychology, Ontology, NLP and Spiritual frameworks as well as rich, real-world experiences.
