Dion Johnson - Influential Woman: A Fresh Approach to Tackling Inequality and Leading Change at Work

An utterly compelling and distinctive call to arms to women everywhere. Dion writes with a tone that is at once vulnerable, authentic, assured and urgent. This book serves as a timely and timeless reminder that we all have the power, agency and responsibility to challenge the injustices of our time and pave the way for a new kind of leadership. Read and be fiercely challenged and irrevocably transformed.

SHARON AMESU, LEADERSHIP STRATEGIST AND CHAIR, INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS MANCHESTER

We have never needed womanity more than now, and Dion Johnson clearly outlines not just the why, but the how. Her book is a clarion call to all women leaders to rise up into their power, not for domination but for the good of all. Dions voice is wise, womanly and wholesome. The book is like breathing in fresh air and feeling enlivened by the experience. For any woman who is keeping themselves small, has lost herself in the corporate world, or feels that she is finally ready to make an impact in the world, this book is for you. I challenge you to read this book and not experience a fire deep in the pit of your stomach that you cannot help but act upon. This book will change you for the better!

JENNY GARRETT, AWARD-WINNING EXECUTIVE COACH AND LEADERSHIP TRAINER, AND AUTHOR OF ROCKING YOUR ROLE

An essential book, a clarion call to rise as women of influence and bring a difference to the fight against inequality in any shape or form. Dions voice provides the shoulder to lean on, the ear that listens and the strength to motivate your engagement.

SHOLA MOS-SHOGBAMIMU, LAWYER, ACTIVIST AND FOUNDER OF THE WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP PUBLICATION

Dions words are power on paper. I laughed, I cried, I felt invigorated and I felt understood. Dions book made me delve deep within myself and equipped me with the tools to unleash the Woman Influencer within. I encourage you to read this book when you are truly ready to make that difference to your life, leadership and power to influence change.

DENISE JOHNSON-CARR, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE AND CHARITY CEO

I was mesmerized from beginning to end. Dion has captured the true essence of Womanity in the writing and study of todays modern career woman. She captured me instantly, and it really is a cant put this down read. You will want to go back and go back again to refresh, remind and reset your satnav for contemporary leadership, impact and success. A brilliant guide for women getting ready to change their world through their work!

YVONNE THOMPSON CBE

A timely, insightful and practical guide to help women step into their true power.

DAVID R. HAMILTON PHD, KINDNESS ADVOCATE AND AUTHOR OF THE LITTLE BOOK OF KINDNESS

This book will help women prepare to accomplish our most worthwhile work to date. It starts inside us. Thats why I call this a me-time book. Dion Johnsons distinctly tough but caring voice will help you to be more you.

DENISE ROBERTS, CEO OF THE EDITORS CHAIR AND THE BOOK GYM

Dions is an important voice in reframing a much-needed conversation and the urgent need for there to be more gender balance at all leadership levels. For anyone who cares about equity and justice in the marketplace, this book is a must-read!

MIM SENFT GBA, AAI, CWWS, CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF GLOBAL WOMEN 4 WELLBEING (GW4W) AND CEO OF MOTIVITY PARTNERSHIPS, INC.

Published in the United Kingdom by:

Hay House UK Ltd, The Sixth Floor, Watson House

54 Baker Street, London W1U 7BU

Tel: +44 (0)20 3927 7290; Fax: +44 (0)20 3927 7291; www.hayhouse.co.uk

Published in the United States of America by:

Hay House Inc., PO Box 5100, Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100

Tel: (1) 760 431 7695 or (800) 654 5126

Fax: (1) 760 431 6948 or (800) 650 5115; www.hayhouse.com

Published in Australia by:

Hay House Australia Ltd, 18/36 Ralph St, Alexandria NSW 2015

Tel: (61) 2 9669 4299; Fax: (61) 2 9669 4144; www.hayhouse.com.au

Published in India by:

Hay House Publishers India, Muskaan Complex,
Plot No.3, B-2, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110 070

Tel: (91) 11 4176 1620; Fax: (91) 11 4176 1630; www.hayhouse.co.in

Text Dion Johnson, 2020

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic recording; nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or otherwise be copied for public or private use, other than for fair use as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews, without prior written permission of the publisher.

The information given in this book should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice; always consult a medical practitioner. Any use of information in this book is at the readers discretion and risk. Neither the author nor the publisher can be held responsible for any loss, claim or damage arising out of the use, or misuse, of the suggestions made, the failure to take medical advice or for any material on third-party websites.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Tradepaper ISBN: 978-1-78817-401-5

E-book ISBN: 978-1-78817-404-6

Audiobook ISBN: 978-1-78817-590-6

Interior images: Shutterstock

I dedicate this book

First

To the women who raised me and started me
on the way to my own womanity:
Lydia Adina Johnson, Hazel Ann Johnson, Clementina
Johnson, Ruby Jones and Reverend Enid Stewart

Then

To Elsa-Grace Oyelekan, my grandbaby, who when
she came into the world brought with her a confirming
message from God: Dion Raise Queens.

Hey, Influential Woman. Theres something I want to share with you right from the off, before you get into this book

Im a black woman in a white mans world. Im facially disfigured in a beauty-obsessed world. Im a Christian in a secular and religion-phobic world. For too long I believed these characteristics impeded my progress as an influencer, but I now realize its because of them that I have something of value to say.

You may be black, brown or white.

You may be rich or poor.

You may be a woman of faith or an atheist.

You may be new to senior leadership or a veteran.

We may differ in a million ways, but what unifies us is the call to take our place and change our world through our work together.

Ive written this book using my own voice and language. I speak from my own particular worldview, and in doing so my intention is not to impose it on you but to invite new thoughts and conversations through which new impact and influence can arise. My worldview may differ from yours, but I hope that my message will still resonate with you and serve as a gateway to new ideas and insights of your own. So, as you read this book, I invite you to be gracious enough to look past our differences, take what you need, and leave the rest.

Do you sense the mystery of the season in which we find ourselves? Or do you perhaps sense a tangible difference in your own personal season? I imagine youre a leader, like most of the brilliant women Im fortunate enough to call my clients, and that you can sense theres a shift wanting to happen. I sense it too, and I call it YOUnique timing.

Although I dont pretend to know the precise details of this shift that we should expect, I do know theres never been a more important time in history or rather, HERstory for the women who partner with men in senior leadership to rise up and take on some of the organizational, industrial and global challenges of this era. Let me tell you why Im so