Becky Blalock - Dare: Straight Talk on Confidence, Courage, and Career for Women in Charge

More Praise for Dare

Dare will give you that push we all need from time to time, showing you how to excel by believing in yourself, acting boldly, and being unafraid to take risks.

Carole Hyatt, bestselling author, and founder and CEO, The Leadership Forum

Are you still waiting to be noticed? Stop it. Becky Blalock shows you how to overcome the single biggest thing that holds women back: fear. Read Dare and learn how to boldly seize the reins of your career, and your life.

Lisa Earle McLeod, author, Selling with Noble Purpose

Becky has assembled a treasure trove of practical, well-illustrated advice, from communication techniques to getting valuable personal feedback to negotiating salaries and much more. Her personal stories are supplemented with research and vignettes from other successful executives. A valuable book for every woman in business!

Martha Brooks, retired president and COO, Novelis, Inc., and board member, Bombardier, Harley-Davidson, and Jabil Circuit, Inc.

Looking for something to help you tackle a challenge in your career? In Dare, you will find the encouragement and coaching you need to believe in yourself and challenge the status quo. Successful women share their stories of lessons learned, and practical advice is given to provide you with the confidence to tackle anything. Everyone's journey is different. Learn from the best, apply it to your situation, and enjoy success.

Mylle Mangum, chairman and CEO, IBT Holdings, and board director, Reynolds Metals Company, Haverty Furniture Companies, Barnes Group, Express Inc., PRGX Global Inc., and Decatur First Bank

Top leadership in corporate America is no longer a lofty goal for women. Dare is full of wisdom from great female leaders who help you understand how you, too, can reach your full potential.

Susan Stautberg, cofounder and cochair, WomenCorporateDirectors, and president, Partnercom

Becky has been a leader in the United Way movement as well as in business. She has brought her full experience to this leadership book by women, for women. It has taken years to reach a point where there are enough women in senior roles to model the way for others, and Dare contains priceless wisdom from some of the most accomplished women of our time. Their lessons learned and success strategies will boost your confidence and challenge you to achieve more.

Cynthia Round, executive vice president, United Way Worldwide

Dare is an excellent resource for any professional woman. Becky's practical and insightful advice will give you a clear path to the top.

Kathy Ameche, author and traveler-in-chief, womanroadwarrior.com

Becky Blalock has risen to the very top of the male-dominated information technology industry. She is a national treasure. Dare is simultaneously inspirational, informational, operational, and recreational. A must-read for future leaders of every gender.

Thornton May, futurist; author, The New Know; executive director, IT Leadership Academy

Cover design by Adrian Morgan

Copyright 2014 by Becky Blalock. All rights reserved.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Blalock, Becky, 1955

Dare : straight talk on confidence, courage, and career for women in charge / Becky Blalock. First edition.

1 online resource.

Includes index.

Description based on print version record and CIP data provided by publisher; resource not viewed.

ISBN 978-1-118-74465-9 (pdf)ISBN 978-1-118-74473-4 (epub)ISBN 978-1-118-56264-2 (hardback)

1. Women executives. 2. Leadership in women. 3. Success in business. 4. Businesswomen. 5. Career development. I. Title.

HD6054.3

658.4094082dc23

2013028525

In memory of my remarkable mother: Dorris Faulkner Bradford

In honor of my remarkable daughter: Alexandria (Alex)

Nicole Blalock

In recognition of remarkable women everywhere

Foreword

By Anne Mulcahy

Former Chairman and CEO, Xerox Corporation

When Becky approached me to write the foreword to Dare: Straight Talk on Confidence, Courage, and Career for Women in Charge , I was thrilled. She and I share a strong desire to mentor the next generation of women leaders in business. We know how critically important it is to learn from others, through their successes and their failures. There's no magic wand for leadership, but there is much to be taught and much to be learned, and what Becky has learned and is now about to teach will greatly increase your chances of rising through leadership positions and succeeding in each of them.

I first met Becky when she was the CIO of Southern Company and a big Xerox customer. In one customer visit, she asked if I would be willing to meet with the executive women of her company and talk about my career journey. I was honored to comply. Later, we met again when I was the keynote speaker for the Georgia CIO Leadership Association. These two meetings revealed to me the breadth and depth of Becky's generous and collaborative spirit. I'm excited but not at all surprised that she is now extending the reach of her generosity through this wonderful book.