Nine Women Share their Takes on More Enlightened Entrepreneurship
The last decade or so has seen women make great strides in founding and growing their own businesses. And with that progress have come some of the same problems everyone faces when starting a business and trying to maintain a balanced life. These ten titles, including those from best-sellers Elizabeth Gilbert and Brené Brown, offer compelling advice for women leading their own businesses.
1. Build Your Social Capital: A Woman's Guide to Building a Business That Thrives on Trust and Human Connection, by Katrina Wagner.
Relationships are essential to your firm's success, says Wagner, in this current #1 title on Amazon's Women and Business list. When you conquer your inhibitions and make friends, says Wagner, you're creating advocates who can lobby for you out in the world. She explains how to do it and create a brand built on trust, authenticity, and influence.
Reader review except: "Her advice is fun, relatable, and easy to apply."
2. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, by Sheryl Sandberg.
Though it's been on bookstore shelves since 2013, this much-discussed title (as you'll see further down on this list) remains a huge influence in its category. (It's also spawned Lean In Circles, a social network.) Sandberg contends that women remain a minority in leadership because they don't assert themselves and "lean in." Some have argued that its premise places too much responsibility on the individual. But no matter what your take may be, Sandberg's thoughtful research and provocative ideas make for worthwhile reading.
Reader review excerpt: "This book helped me to pivot from being an employee to being a business owner instead!"
3. Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers, by Lois P. Frankel.
The author's goal: Help women advocate for themselves by helping them identify behaviors learned in girlhood. Readers of this New York Times bestseller have appreciated Frankel's specific examples of women undercutting their own successes — 130 behaviors in all. One example: "Asking permission. Children, not adults, ask for approval. Be direct, be confident." It's a great read in conjunction with (or even before) Lean In.
Reader review excerpt: "Great tips and ideas for self-reflection and self-awareness."
4. Lean Out: The Truth About Women, Power, and the Workplace, by Marissa Orr.
"What have we gotten wrong about women at work?" Marissa Orr challenges the traditional narratives of female empowerment in corporate environments, providing an alternative to Sheryl Sandberg's "lean in" philosophy. It's a great read for women seeking to break away from traditional, male-centric definitions of success.
Reader review excerpt: "Thank you for your extensive research and for sharing your personal experiences to bring this book to life."
5. #GIRLBOSS, by Sophia Amoruso.
This tale of a nonconformist's path through entrepreneurship inspired a Netflix comedy of the same name. The Washington Post has called it "Lean In for misfits" (there's that book again!) Its lessons of how to get ahead in business without having to play by (all) the rules will resonate among many readers.
Reader review excerpt: "...[Offers] advice in a straight-forward and humorous manner without coming across as preachy."
6. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Gilbert, the bestselling author of Eat Pray Love, shares this manual for living a more creative and fulfilling life. She suggests how women get past their own fears and adopt attitudes, approaches, and habits that fuel creativity. It's valuable support, from an empathetic, insightful and inspiring source.
Reader review excerpt: "This book is a must-read! If you're a creative individual in any field, you need to dive into her writing."
7. Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity, by Kim Scott.
The revised edition of this popular title is a guide to building strong, collaborative teams without compromising your values. New insights and advice aims to help women balance assertive leadership with kind, empathic values.
Reader review excerpt: "Case studies and specific RELATABLE anecdotes explain the advice…I will keep this guide close to me."
8. Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts, by Brené Brown.
"A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for recognizing the potential in people and ideas and has the courage to develop that potential," is a key tenet of this title. Brown's updated work on vulnerability and leadership includes guidance on how to cultivate courage and authenticity while building resilient teams and leading with heart and integrity.
Reader review excerpt: "You can read [it] over and over and always find new nuggets of wisdom."
9. The Success Myth: Letting Go of Having It All, by Emma Gannon.
As a financial professional, Emma Gannon found herself burned out and unhappy — but still striving for more. Her dissatisfaction and resulting soul-searching resulted in this book, which invites female entrepreneurs to redefine success on their own terms. It serves as a reminder that balance doesn't mean perfection, and success is deeply personal.
Reader review excerpt: "If you are in a situation where you feel lost, like you don't understand who you are anymore or your values in life, please (please) read this book, then go on to buy it to help others."
Did You Know?
You can check out The CEO Library for more great reads about women in entrepreneurship.
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