December 2011 Archives

As one of my new, beginning-of-the-year coaching clients wrote to me, "2012 will be the year!" Whatever your professional goals, don't overlook the power of reading as a career advancement tool. Here are my top-10 favorite career advancement titles for women. That's only one book a month, with time off for the summer . . .

How Remarkable Women Lead: the Breakthrough Model for Work and Life, by Joanna Barsh & Susie Crantson

Suits: A Woman on Wall Street, by Nina Godiwalla

Be Heard the First Time! The Woman's Guide to Powerful Speaking, by Susan Miller

Ask for It: How Women Can Use the Power of Negotiation to Get What They Really Want, by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever

She Wins, You Win: The Most Important Rule Every Businesswoman Needs to Know, by Gail Evans

Tough Choices: A Memoir, by Carly Fiorina

Nice Girls Just Don't Get It: 99 Ways to Win the Respect You Deserve, the Success You've Earned, and the Life You Want, by Lois P. Frankel and Carol Frohlinger

No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think about Power, by Gloria Feldt

Through the Labyrinth: The Truth about How Women Become Leaders, by Alice H. Eagly and Linda L. Carli

Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career, by Herminia Ibarra

(If these titles inspire you to buff up your career advancement skills, check out my online career coaching resource center, WomenAdvance.com.)

PS -- I serve as an Amazon affiliate.

As a university professor for nearly two decades, awarding scholarships and awards was definitely one of the best parts of the job. Now I'm honored to serve on the panel of judges for Talbots Charitable Foundation Scholarship Program.

The Talbots Scholarship program is changing women's lives by empowering them to fulfill their dreams. Since 1997, it has supported women who are ready to start a new chapter in their lives by granting scholarships for a college education later in life. Recipients have embodied courage, conviction, and an insatiable entrepreneurial spirit.

Many applicants come from disadvantaged backgrounds, or have overcome personal hardships and are looking to turn their lives in a new direction. Among past recipients--a lawyer, human rights activist, and substance abuse counselor.

So let's spread the word!

This year Talbots will be awarding $200,000 in scholarships, including seventeen $10,000 awards and one $30,000 Nancy Talbots Scholarship.

Applications are due by January 3, 2012. Click here to apply.

PLEASE! Help get the word out by sharing this post.

I can't resist sharing this story with you. It's by "Mary," a coaching client who's developing her platform as a rock star tech exec to become an industry thought-leader. After you read it, you'll know why she's destined to write a best-selling biz book!

"While at a conference recently near our Corporate HQ, I was called into an important high-level meeting. My colleagues in finance were quite worried about the meeting, because operations was being "called to the carpet" on some policies. I assured them that data was on our side; nevertheless, they pushed for me to attend the meeting. At first, I was thinking I would call-in. Then I reconsidered: this was an opportunity to rub elbows with senior leaders in my internal customer organization.


Because I was attending the nearby conference, I was in a black suit--not the normal wear for my high tech company. Over the 11 years I've been here, the dress code continues to become more casual. So, into the meeting I went, in black suit, data in hand. What was to be a highly contentious meeting turned into a rather tame question-and-answer session where we showed our data, and our customer was ultimately impressed.

The two tipping points? Black suit, and being there in person! It is truly amazing how smart you are in a black suit.

What did I learn? Not only do clothes persuade those around you that you know what you are doing and talking about, but you also feel it from the inside out.

I plan to take another look at my wardrobe and plan ahead when important meetings are on the calendar. In general, I'm going to dress more tailored, with a better defined style, on a more regular basis. Not just for the outward perception, but for how it makes me feel . . . You really are smarter in a black suit!"