The Female Vision: Women's Real Power at Work

Recently I reread this inspiring, knowledgeable book after reading Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In, which made my heart sink. I wanted to be reminded of what I know to be true about women, power and leadership from a woman-centered perspective. In this book, pioneer and revolutionary thinker and writer Sally Helgesen (The Female Advantage) partners with executive coach Julie Johnson for a very accessible yet profound book. They distill very essential information and research on the benefits to organizations of having more women in executive positions or on Boards, as well as including their own original research on differences in satisfaction and motivation between men and women.The most important themes to me are: 1) Women's capacity for visionary thinking is profound yet usually not recognized, rewarded or utilized.2) The economic crisis in 2008 was caused by the systemic behaviors of male leaders driven by short-term gains, narrow focus on the numbers, win at any cost, commitment to individual competition over the needs of the entire organization or any other affected people. This is symptomatic of a systemic disease, dominated by the heroic, warrior archetype, which has created great destruction and non-sustainable practices. 3) Women who leave organizations do not do so because they lack ambition, or want to head home to raise the children. They leave because they want their work to matter, to make a positive contribution to the larger world, because they are not valued nor can they bring their full selves to work. They leave to start their own businesses, or to work in a less toxic culture. They leave to work where their gifts and talents are appreciated and they are not isolated and disconnected. The media and Sandberg's book perpetuate the myth of women "off-ramping", or "opting out", as if they don't have what it takes to be leaders (ie balls) but the ladder of success is a too narrow and masculine path. Women are redefining success, using their visionary power and transformative consciousness to revision leadership. Increasing women in leadership is not a women's issue, nor even one of social justice or equity. It is a crucial issue and urgent need for all of us for: A feminine visionary consciousness, transformative leadership, strategy and sustainability for the organization, for the planet. When women lead, the organization reaps the rewards. Including financial! Sally Helgesen, a wonderful writer, researcher, interviewer, was one of the very first women in business twenty years ago to identify and celebrate the advantages, the talent and gifts that women bring, rather than suggesting they emulate their male counterparts. What women see, what women know, matters. To all of us. These authors have made a relatively short book (120 pages) rich in resources, in practices for organizations to attract, develop and retain their women talent. And many clear identifying statements to encourage women to see clearly their assets, their gifts, their vision, to own their power for the good of all. Feminine power and female vision are countercultural in most organizations. And they are exactly what is needed to foster creativity and innovation, harmonize the working environment to one more humane, use contextual and long range thinking for a sustainable future for business, for government. If you have yet to discover Sally Helgesen, you are going to be inspired and awakened to your power. This latest book is especially relevant for professionals, entrepreneurs, organizational coaches, consultants and leaders who want more effective, profitable, creative, ethical, humane and sustainable organizations. The need for women in leadership is urgent for us all. This book describes some of the most important reasons why.

Is what women see- what they notice and value and how they perceive the world in operation - a great underexploited resource in organizations? In this book Sally Helgesen once again helps us all know that we already know - that the answer is unequivocally yes.Sally, and her coauthor Julie Johnson, were surprised by the results of the study they conducted to determine what women most deeply value and how this might conflict with what mainstream organizations expect their leaders to value. Could this discrepancy be what leads so many experienced and well-regarded women to either leave senior positions or watch their career stall out?In Female Vision they demonstrate a frustrating connection between the kind of values and vision women bring to work and the kind of receptivity or even invitation that they don't receive. Yet, these very values and perceptions are what organizations need to thrive in today's fast changing, boundary dissolving, unsustainable world.They concluded that women bring a focus on what really matters in life - satisfaction day by day, a broad spectrum perspective that takes multiple factors into account, and an interest in constantly building and tending to the social fabric of the organization and its many stakeholders. Isn't this 21st Century Leadership that works?Yet, for the most part organizations do not recognize or value what women see as well as what they do. Until they do, talented women will continue to leave organizations and find new opportunities where their skills, talents, and wisdom are valued. It's hard to feel motivated when your skills, talents, and unique perspective are left out of the key strategy and decision-making sessions. The costs to organizations include not only turn over and retraining. They are also missing critical diversity in approach, values, and vision.Read this book to discover whether you value female vision and learn how to invite it into your own organization and life. It's worth it.

Good book to start a much needed conversation on women in leadership and her leadership skills and abilities and her contributions to an organization

Sally pulls together insightful research to paint a compelling reason for why we need to rethink our traditional business structure and culture to include the strengths that a female orientation bring to bear. As an entrepreneur and as a woman I found myself understanding why I often hear that our company is so different (all of our executive team are women) and why we should embrace these differences and capitalize on them (and to be ok with doing so in order to be of value rather than simply "to win").I'd strongly recommend this book to all my fellow CEOs- male and female alike!

Helegsen offers insights on how women differ from men in how they take in and assimilate information. She demonstrates tangibly how the perspectives of women add value in the workplace. While some might say she's "stereotyping" women, it is backed by data and I experienced many pages where I said "yes, she gets me." The book also provides advice for women on how to navigate the male dominated workplace. The book is a quick and easy read - well worth it. I just wish more business men would take it upon themselves to read this book and understand the real power of women.

This is a compelling analysis of how women fare in male-dominated organizations and how their traits might improve them. Many people, including Sheryl Sandberg, could learn much from it. Its premise might best be proven by the emergence of many women-run organizations that outperform comparable men-run ones. Like most books of this sort it indulges in too much bitching.

A very readable and interesting book.A must for women who have lost hope. Women should read this book to be more aware of their role and contribution.A MUST for men to understand the differences and develop awareness of the enormous benefit women's presence are in a team or in a company.After this book ,things will never be the same again, they will be better and one hopes, more progressive.

Para mim como mulher em uma organização, o livro foi ao mesmo tempo um conforto (eu não estou sozinha, e sim, não está tudo bem) e um call to action sobre pequenas atitudes que posso imprimir dentro da minha posição de liderança para, ao invés de desistir, tentar influenciar a cultura. Vale muito a pena!

女性管理職登用を政府が政策に据えたために急に女性の課題が注目されていますが、この本は、何故、女性が管理職になることをためらうのか、何故女性が自信を失うのか、明確に説明しています。