Jill Flynn - Break Your Own Rules: How to Change the Patterns of Thinking That Block Womens Paths to Power

Praise for Break Your Own Rules

Upheavals abound that challenge organizations deeply every day. The interplay of shifting demographics, new technologies, and economic forces is non-stopand powerful. What does this mean to women who want to change the face of leadership and share power at the top? You need smart, fast help from trusted leadership experts who understand the path from the inside out. You'll get just that in Break Your Own Rules by authors Flynn, Heath, and Holt. Its fresh stories, in-depth research, and resonant advice will help you navigate today's real hurdles and drive your career to the highest levels. I look forward to the day when the senior ranks reflect a full 50% of the talent pool, thanks in part to this immensely practical new book.

Tammy Erickson, award-winning advisor on engaged organizations; bestselling author of Workforce Crisis and What's Next, Gen X?

In the game of business, you've got to know the rules to get ahead. But if you're a woman, there's more: you need to recognize the patterns that continue to hold us back, then you must start practicing the new rules of leadership. Flynn, Heath, and Holt deliver it all in Break Your Own Rules . The book is packed with untold stories from the authors' own lives as senior executives, from their current work as leadership coaches to women in Fortune 1000 companies, and from women CEOs across industries. It includes the six road-tested new rules that get women to the top. If your goal is to achieve your highest potential, you'll need this book. It comes with my highest recommendation.

Gail Evans, executive VP at CNN (retired); bestselling author of Play Like a Man, Win Like a Woman

Great leadership is by definition uncommon and unconventional. If it were not, most every leader would be great. Break Your Own Rules is a provocative yet pragmatic blueprint for ways to reconstruct the models, myths, and molds that restrict leader greatness. It will open your eyes, renovate your mind, and unleash your talent.

Chip R. Bell, author of Wired and Dangerous

In our world of unprecedented change, how do organizations become more effective, decisive, and profitable? By having the very best leaders at the top. It's time for women everywhere to break their own rules and start joining the senior ranks in greater numbers. Here's how: buy a copy of this breakthrough book for yourself, and one for a colleague.

Charlene Li, founder of Altimeter Group; author of the bestselling Open Leadership

Vast numbers of women move business forward every dayyet astonishingly few hold top leadership positions. Break your Own Rules addresses this age-old problem in a powerful new way through six specific practices. This book is for every woman, in any industry, who is ready to start engineering her own path to power.

Douglas R. Conant, CEO of Campbell Soup Company; coauthor of the bestselling TouchPoints: Creating Powerful Leadership Connections in the Smallest of Moments

Break Your Own Rules is an unusually fresh, engaging, and tactical book for women who want to fulfill their leadership potential. It's also perfect for men who want the very best people in power. Get your copy today.

Mary Matalin, political consultant, commentator, and author

Over the years and across a few generations, I have had the privilege of participating in American public life in so many waysas a daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. As a government servant at the highest levels. As a business executive with a seat on high-profile corporate boards. And as a bestselling author and arbiter of manners. I was often the only woman in the room; this didn't change much as my achievements grew, as our education levels increased, and as the years passed. Even now, women aren't well represented in top positions. Thank goodness for Break Your Own Rules . This is the first book that lets us reimagine leadershipand I mean really reimagine leadershipby showing exactly how smart, skilled, and ambitious women can navigate the hurdles and reach their full potential. Don't wait to read this important book. You'll see leadership, and yourself, in a new and limitless way.

Letitia Baldrige, business leader, philanthropist, former chief of staff for Jacqueline Kennedy, and proud octogenarian

Break Your Own Rules reflects the experience of many womennearly 2,000 Fortune 1000 executives and 5,000 professional women. But mostly, it addresses the pivotal question, What does it really take for women to lead today?' Authors Flynn, Heath, and Holt, having held executive positions themselves in addition to their time spent advising women and organizations on how to advance women's careers, provide some new and helpful insights and answers to this unfortunately persistent question. Get their help to move yourself forward faster. Their advice can make a difference.

Crandall Close Bowles, chairman and CEO, Springs Global (retired)

Leadership is about winning and reaping big rewards. But getting to and staying at the top isn't easy. In fact, the hard truth is that for women, it remains highly improbableunless you have a concrete strategy and learn how to lead in ways you can't imagine when you start. As one of the very few women who advises Fortune 500 CEOs and their teams every day, I know what it takes. So do Break Your Own Rules authors Flynn, Heath, and Holt. This is a hands-on guide that gets it right. Every woman who cares about her impact and leadership needs to get a copy of this game-changing book today.

Saj-nicole Joni, confidential CEO advisor; bestselling author of The Right Fight: How Great Leaders Use Healthy Conflict to Drive Performance, Innovation, and Value

I confess that I'm not sympathetic when I hear women say things like, I don't have a real shot at the top because relationships are formed on the golf course and I'm not a golfer. Or, So-and-so is plotting and scheming for the position I want and I just won't play those games. Or, People don't listen to me because I'm a woman. I hear this last one from women a lot, and I think the reason nobody listens to them is because they say things like that! I'm not suggesting that barriers don't exist. The glass ceiling is still very real in many industries, and sadly, gender discrimination in the workplace still exists. But it's time for women to stop denying any accountability for the struggles they face, and instead, adopt the powerful, road-tested practices outlined in Break Your Own Rules , guaranteed to help women everywhere achieve their greatest potential. I love this book. It is fierce, a must-read!

Susan Scott, founder of the global training company Fierce Inc.; bestselling author of Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work & in LifeOne Conversation at a Time and Fierce Leadership: A Bold Alternative to the Worst Best Practices of Business Today

Now is the time for women to claim their seats at the table. Whether in the board room or at the executive level, when women are represented, they consistently demonstrate their power to increase the bottom line and drive innovation. What I have seen in my work with women leaders around the world is that when passion, talent, and commitment are matched with a strategy to succeed, there's no limit in our ability to transform companies, communities, and even our world. That's exactly what you'll get from leadership experts Flynn, Heath, and Holt in Break Your Own Rules . The book delivers the very best of their experiences as executives and coaches, plus the latest research and untold stories from a number of women who have made it to the top and are making a significant impact. I urge you to pick up your copy today.

Alyse Nelson, president/CEO, Vital Voices Global Partnership; social entrepreneur