I love Colin Powell, I think he is such an excellent example of what America should be. I have been wanting to read this book for awhile and downloade...moreI love Colin Powell, I think he is such an excellent example of what America should be. I have been wanting to read this book for awhile and downloaded it to listen to on my commute. First, it was read by Colin Powell himself, which I appriciated. Second, I really enjoyed his approach to leadership through an army perspective. One of the things he discussed was that "not everybody gets promoted". In the army, there are potentially a lot of soliders who have the skills and capacity to be generals, but there are simply not enough spots. The army is okay with that, but other areas of government and the private sector are not. Creating jobs just so that people can get promoted is inefficent. I have never heard it put like that before, but I think it describes government bureaucracy very well,
Another part of this book I enjoyed was "don't be a busy bastard", meaning, don't be the person at work who is constantly working late into the night and on weekends. Powell stressed a work life balance, and said that people (especially bosses) who work around the clock create an environment where everybody feels they have to work around the clock. When everbody feels like they have to work around the clock, they start making up work for them to do to fill the time. What is created is an office full of overworked people, doing work they don't really need to be doing. By limiting your hours at work, you are forced to prioritize tasks and be effecient during the time you are there. I loved this. (less)
Words cannot adequately describe how much I loved this book. I read it with a studious intensity, underlying and writing in the margins (which I rarel...moreWords cannot adequately describe how much I loved this book. I read it with a studious intensity, underlying and writing in the margins (which I rarely do). I think Sheryl's analysis is so spot on, and I was often moved to tears (not to be overdramatic, but its true). I purposely stayed away from reading the criticisms until after I was done reading the book, but went through and read some when I was done. I didn't find a single one that I agreed with. Most sounded like they didn't read the book, or were attacking Sheryl for their dislike of Facebook corporate policy rather then the message of the book itself.
I loved so many things about this book but I am going to really focus on my top three favorite points:
(1) Make Your Partner Your Partner: I think the number one thing holding woman back is that - as Sheryl says - they are trying to work full time while still taking on 100% of the home responsibilities. I can't tell you how many woman I know who work full time, and then go home and cook, clean, and take care of children with minimal help from their spouse. Thankfully, I am not in that kind of marriage, but I think the point is well taken. For so long men were able to succeed at work because they had the support from their wives at home, and in order for woman to succeed at work they need the support from their spouses as well. In this modern era gender roles need to be more 50/50, instead of this concept of woman trying to do it all.
(2) Sit at the Table: The story Sheryl tells about how woman constantly underestimate their abilities and attribute their success to others, while men overestimate their abilities and attribute their success to themselves really hit home with me. I don't know why woman do it, but it is so true. This was a real wake-up call for me, and I am trying to take on more rolls with confidence and not underestimate myself.
(3) Don't Leave Until You Leave: One of Sheryl's main points is that woman need to stop making choices surrounding partners and children they don't have yet. I have thought about changing careers and scaling back so that I have a lifestyle that can accommodate children someday, and I am not even trying to have kids! When woman do this they limit their chance for success and future opportunities.
I will read and re-read this book numerous times. Its a must read for every working woman. (less)
I listened to this book via audiobook and I am glad that I did, because it was a times a little dry and I don't know that I would have made it through...moreI listened to this book via audiobook and I am glad that I did, because it was a times a little dry and I don't know that I would have made it through if I read it on paper (that's the nice thing about audiobooks, you can kind of zone out through boring parts). That being said, this book was really interesting. I particularly enjoyed the section on how corporations use the power of habit to be more effecient and market to their customers. This book also offers some interesting ways to change your own habits in your life. Overall, pretty interesting read. (less)
I feel like I should have been forced to read this book at some point in my life (like in high school or college), but for some reason it slipped past...moreI feel like I should have been forced to read this book at some point in my life (like in high school or college), but for some reason it slipped past me. I really wish I had the chance to discuss this book in an academic setting- because there was just so much to talk about. I highlighed so many sections of this book, but this line was probably my favorite:
"As each situation in life represents a challenge to man and presents a problem for him to solve, the question of the meaning of life may actually be reversed. Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather he must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible. Thus, logotherapy sees in responsibleness the very essence of human existence."(less)
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