How Women Rise: Break the 12 Habits Holding You Back from Your Next Raise, Promotion, or Job

Finally finished this, and I’m honestly buzzing with new ideas for my career. It is such a fabulously written guide that forces you into some much-needed introspection regarding your daily office habits. I’ve always been that person who credits the whole team while staying in the shadows, but Helgesen and Goldsmith illustrate exactly how that holds us back from the recognition we deserve. The chapters on overcoming the 'Disease to Please' and perfectionism were particularly eye-opening for me personally. It isn’t about becoming a jerk; it’s about learning to own your accomplishments so you can actually rise to a position where you have the power to influence the culture for others. If you are feeling stuck or just want a fresh perspective on your professional trajectory, this is a highly practical and inspirational read. It covers a wide range of issues without feeling overwhelming or redundant like many business books do.

Wow, what a reality check this was for my professional life. I picked this up because a mentor suggested it, and I am so glad I did. The book identifies twelve specific habits that often serve women well early in their careers but eventually become obstacles to reaching the executive level. I saw myself in almost every page, especially the part about 'ruminating' on past mistakes instead of moving forward. The writing is clear and the fictionalized examples of successful women are very relatable. It’s a highly practical guide that doesn't just point out what’s wrong, but offers clear steps for how to pivot. Personally, I think every working woman should read this at least once, regardless of her industry. It gave me the confidence to start advocating for myself and my own career goals more aggressively. It really is an excellent read for anyone looking to break through that mid-level ceiling.

This is hands-down one of the most inspirational and useful career books I have ever read. I originally asked my HR department for a copy, but it was so good I ended up buying a permanent one for my own shelf. It helped me realize that my tendency to wait for 'permission' or 'recognition' was actually holding me back from the promotions I deserved. The authors are extremely insightful and they manage to hold up a mirror to your behavior without being cruel. I loved the lessons on making social connections at work and why networking is just as important as doing the actual job. It really encouraged me to engage in deep introspection about my career path and my own value. If you want to meet your full potential and stop being your own biggest obstacle, you need to read this book immediately. It is fabulously written and truly life-changing.

Ever wonder why some people just seem to glide up the ladder while you’re working twice as hard and staying in the same place? This book provides the answer. It’s an excellent read that gets straight to the point about the subtle habits that keep women from rising to the top. The authors don't sugarcoat things, which I appreciate. They show you how your desire to be perfect is actually a liability and how 'taking up space' is a skill that can be learned. It’s extremely insightful and gave me a lot of confidence to change my approach to meetings and projects. The truth is, many of us are holding ourselves back without even realizing it. By developing the confidence to own our achievements and stop trying to please everyone, we can finally meet our full potential. This book is a highly practical and inspirational roadmap for doing exactly that. I can’t recommend it enough.

As someone who has always struggled with the transition from being a 'doer' to being a 'leader,' I found this book to be incredibly insightful. It acts as a necessary sequel to Goldsmith’s previous work, but specifically tailored to the social forces that shape how women navigate the workplace. I’ve definitely been guilty of the 'perfection trap' and trying to make everyone happy, which just leads to burnout. The advice is very direct and actionable, especially the tips on how to stop being a 'yes woman' and how to start taking up more physical and mental space in meetings. To be fair, some of the habits mentioned felt a little repetitive, and I wish there was more concrete advice on the actual mechanics of negotiating a higher salary. However, the overall message is empowering and provides a great mirror for self-reflection. It’s an easy read that I’ll likely refer back to often.

After hearing so much buzz about this, I finally dove in. It’s basically 'What Got You Here Won't Get You There' but rewritten for the other half of the workforce, and honestly, that’s exactly what I needed. The authors do a great job of showing how behaviors that make you a great team player can actually make you look like a 'non-leader' in the eyes of upper management. I particularly liked the section on why we feel the need to provide too much background information instead of just getting to the point. Look, the corporate world is what it is, and while I agree the system needs to change, I also need to survive and thrive in it right now. This book provides the map for that journey. It’s easy to read and contains very practical, if occasionally slightly stereotypical, advice that actually works in a real-office environment.

Does this book have some valid points? Absolutely. I definitely recognized several of my own self-sabotaging habits in the descriptions, particularly the one about 'putting your job before your career.' It was a bit of a lightbulb moment for me. I also found the advice on being more concise in my communication to be very helpful, even if the reasoning behind it felt a bit traditional. My only real gripe is that it feels a little bit like it’s laying all the responsibility for change at the feet of the individual woman. It’s like being told to recycle to stop climate change while ignoring the big corporations. Still, I can’t deny that the tips are effective. I’ve started implementing some of the strategies for owning my accomplishments and I’ve already noticed a difference in how my manager perceives my contributions. It’s a solid 4-star read for any ambitious woman.

Not what I expected, but I actually got a lot out of it. My Aunt Kathy recommended this to me during a holiday dinner when I was complaining about feeling stuck in my current role. It focuses on how to approach conflict-laden situations from a collaborative viewpoint instead of a fearful one, which was a huge takeaway for me. I also appreciated the discussion on 'consensus management'—how it’s a strength but can be overused to the point of appearing indecisive. The authors explain that you can let go of these limiting behaviors without losing your identity or turning into an 'asshole.' I’ll definitely be rereading certain parts as I prepare for my next performance review. It’s a very practical guide that covers a wide range of issues and provides the tools to navigate them effectively. It’s a must-read for those in that transition period between entry-level and management.

The truth is, I have mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, the authors make some great points about behaviors I definitely need to work on, like not promoting my own wins. Recognizing these traits is the first step toward making a change, and I appreciate the collaborative viewpoint the book encourages. However, I can’t shake the feeling that we are being coached to just 'play the game' rather than fix the rules. It’s a bit exhausting to be told, yet again, that we need to change our tone or our habits to be more palatable to management. The chapter on peer coaching was probably the most useful part for me, as it felt less about changing who I am and more about building a support network. It’s a decent business book with some wisdom, but it definitely feels a bit dated in its approach to gender dynamics in the office.

Frankly, I found this entire book to be a massive let-down and quite patronizing. It essentially argues that for women to succeed, we must systematically strip away our natural strengths to mirror the behaviors of men in a patriarchal corporate structure. Why is the burden of change always placed on the individual woman rather than the inequitable systems that fail to value collaborative leadership? The authors even perpetuate that debunked myth about women speaking more words per day than men, which made it hard to take the rest of their research seriously. Telling women to speak in bullet points just to satisfy a man's short attention span isn't empowerment; it's conformity. I wanted a book that explains how to change the system, not one that tells me to be more palatable to it. If you’re looking for something that celebrates unique female strengths, look elsewhere. This felt like a manual on how to fit into a mold that wasn't built for us.