What do you think?
Rate this book
Tough Cookies: Leadership Lessons from 100 Years of the Girl Scouts
Fundamental principles for how Girl Scouts USA is run and why it's so successful Millions of American businesswomen, thought leaders, and politicians received their first lessons in salesmanship, money management, marketing, teamwork, and fulfillment in the Girl Scouts. The Girls Scouts has shaped the lives of more than 50 million alumnae alive today. Eighty percent of American female senior business executives and business owners are former Girl Scouts. In March 2012, the Girl Scouts will celebrate their 100th anniversary. Tough Cookies captures the essence of this iconic organization and the principles that have allowed them to build and sustain a 100-year-old organization. Under current CEO Kathy Cloninger's leadership, the Girl Scouts has transformed and enhanced its ability to develop leadership in young women. Tough Cookies outlines the rise of the Girl Scouts, this recent and dramatically successful shift, and lessons that are applicable to make any business or organization a success. What can your business learn from the Girl Scouts?
192 pages, Hardcover
First published August 31, 2011
9 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 4, 2011
Though only 10% of American girls have been Girl Scouts at any one time, 80% of female senior executives and business owners are former Girl Scouts. 2/3 of the women in Congress and 100% of the women in NASA's astronaut corps are former Girl Scouts.
Girl Scouting is a 3-million-girl working model of how to unleash and develop the powerful potential of girls - and I'm glad to be a part of it!
Girl Scouting is a 3-million-girl working model of how to unleash and develop the powerful potential of girls - and I'm glad to be a part of it!
October 1, 2024
I read this for work, but actually enjoyed it so much!!
It contained such a powerful message about tapping into the leadership in women and promoting them to positions of power. It also encouraged taking an internal look at an organization to foster change, which I really appreciated.
It contained such a powerful message about tapping into the leadership in women and promoting them to positions of power. It also encouraged taking an internal look at an organization to foster change, which I really appreciated.
December 11, 2011
Probably only of interest if you are involved in Girl Scouts, this is the background information for all of the changes which have happened in the past 6 to 8 years. The most surprising thing is that she actually acknowledges that the "traditionalist" volunteers have to let go and move on...something these very volunteers have been accusing GSUSA of on many GS message boards for the past few years. For the naysayers of the GS changes, this confirms everything you've been saying.
That doesn't mean that I disagree with the changes.
2 stars -- not because I dislike the contents, but because I thought it was lacking in more content to back up the points made.
That doesn't mean that I disagree with the changes.
2 stars -- not because I dislike the contents, but because I thought it was lacking in more content to back up the points made.
October 15, 2011
I'm a Girl Scout leader so I was really excited to read this book. While not a bad read, I don't think it delivered what was promised. I was expecting stories of some of the amazing women and girls that are a part of the history of our movement. Instead it came across as more of a recruitment and fundraising effort. It was interesting to have insight into the council mergers. I would have liked it if they had covered the hows and whys behind the switch from Studio2B to Journeys.
May 14, 2013
I am a lifelong GS and was a leader and then a Service Unit Manager during the transformation presented in the book. I am glad I've read it; our Service Unit and Council really were at the forefront of the changes and nothing in the book was entirely new to me. The good news from this book is that, rather than just a "how to" book, it really captures the before, during and after of a transformational shift in the strategy and operation of a vital professional and volunteer network for girls.
August 24, 2016
This was a great primer for me, a Girl Scout mom, not a Girl Scout alum. I knew that I was excited when my daughter expressed interest in this organization, but the book did a great job of affirming for me the goodness to which I want my daughters exposed and the hope that I have for their futures.
October 5, 2012
I liked this book. I gave me extra enthusiasm to start another year of Girl Scouting off right. As a healthcare executive and a career mom, I appreciate the need for sexual balance in corporate America. I dream the the girls in my Two troops will have the same opportunities I have.
February 21, 2014
Fantastic business book. Not often do you get the story and business strategy from a business that is 99% by women and for women. It's hard to find books written about the GS of America so I was happy to find this one!
January 14, 2018
Tough Cookies is a book written by the CEO of the Girl Scouts Kathy Cloninger. It is interesting to know that the scouts started in 1912 with only 18 members and how it has grown over the years. It is also interesting to hear how the Girl Scouts felt they needed a change and set about to do just that.
Although it may be true that millions of businesswomen and leaders were Girl Scouts, I think it was a giant leap to assume it was the result of Girl Scouting. There just wasn't enough proof in this book for me. For example, wouldn't church groups, 4-H, neighborhoods, families, etc. have done the same. It wasn't clear where she obtained those facts; there was no comparison of successful former scouts to ones that didn't become leaders.
The author also talks about her history as a business person and how helped transformed the scouts into what they are becoming today. Since she was speaking about an organization that believes in volunteers and in working together, it seemed very ironic and self-serving at times.
As a former Girl Scout and leader, I do have to admire an organization that seems to change with the times for over 100 years. In theory it does make sense that having an all girls group should empower them without the pressure of boys. It would also seem that selling the cookies should help advance the concept of finances and money management. In practice, though, that wasn't my experience. I saw mom's selling cookies at work; I also saw cliques in girls and moms; and I witnessed some activities that didn't interest the girls at all.
I can only hope that this recent change to the Girls Scout organization does provide these opportunities.
Although it may be true that millions of businesswomen and leaders were Girl Scouts, I think it was a giant leap to assume it was the result of Girl Scouting. There just wasn't enough proof in this book for me. For example, wouldn't church groups, 4-H, neighborhoods, families, etc. have done the same. It wasn't clear where she obtained those facts; there was no comparison of successful former scouts to ones that didn't become leaders.
The author also talks about her history as a business person and how helped transformed the scouts into what they are becoming today. Since she was speaking about an organization that believes in volunteers and in working together, it seemed very ironic and self-serving at times.
As a former Girl Scout and leader, I do have to admire an organization that seems to change with the times for over 100 years. In theory it does make sense that having an all girls group should empower them without the pressure of boys. It would also seem that selling the cookies should help advance the concept of finances and money management. In practice, though, that wasn't my experience. I saw mom's selling cookies at work; I also saw cliques in girls and moms; and I witnessed some activities that didn't interest the girls at all.
I can only hope that this recent change to the Girls Scout organization does provide these opportunities.
March 7, 2023
Interesting book for anyone who has ever been a Girl Scout. The history of the movement, its goals, and how it is run. The council organization was revamped in the 1990's to keep up with the times. And of course, the iconic Cookie Sale, and what it teaches individual girls about business and management.
I can't think of another organization that is so pro girl, and does as much concrete work for and girls and the women they will be. A shout out to my old troop in Flushing, Queens, and my daughter's troop in Massapequa Park, NY. I don't know anyone who had a bad scouting experience.
I can't think of another organization that is so pro girl, and does as much concrete work for and girls and the women they will be. A shout out to my old troop in Flushing, Queens, and my daughter's troop in Massapequa Park, NY. I don't know anyone who had a bad scouting experience.
January 27, 2018
This book offers a recent history of Girl Scouts shifts and adaptations. The problem is Cloninger doesn't seem to know who her audience is in this books. Parts feel like they are written for girls; other parts for leaders and volunteers; and yet other parts seem to be for council staff or potential donators.
September 23, 2024
I read this book for a grad school project, but was also interested to read it as a troop leader. The first half of this book was so strong, but the second half is lacking. The author did all this great set up on the reorganization of Girl Scouts and how strong the organization would become. However she left in 2011 before the project was complete so there wasn’t much of a conclusion.
July 28, 2018
This book wasn't what I thought it would be, but it was a quick read and helpful to me as a GS troop leader. It was nice to see why they have made some of the changes to the program and what they are hoping to accomplish. It was an interesting read--not anything special, but interesting.
August 2, 2020
As a Girl Scout Senior, I really loved reading this book. It gave me so much information on an organization that has done so much for me. Thanks you Girl Scouts and everyone who made this organization possible!
September 9, 2019
Still accurate. Still relevant. Brings back many positive memories from being a Girl Scout.
July 10, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I was moved to take part in the Girl Scouts organization as an adult.
This book reminded me what I gain in my years as a scout. It also reminded me what I missed because the organization failed to stay current and relevant. If they had been a little "cooler" I may have stuck in longer. As a very goal driven person (even as a young child) if I had felt like there was more to achieve I would have stayed. It's a great reminder that "doing good work" for a community is not enough. Any organization need to evolve and stay connected to its purpose not just it's mission.
Of course this is written from the view of one person's journey through the organization. Some may see it as a self centered view and other may see it as propaganda. Some see it as a push to "raise" girls to pursue everything other then motherhood.
My take from this book is Girl Scouting can have a positive impact on a girls life, open her eyes to new ways of thinking and to explore things that normally a girl would by pass. I found it interesting how many woman in NASA were Girl Scouts.
The book was a short and a fast read. I think it could have gone deeper on many levels. It left me wanting more. I hope that the organization will take time to write more about the history and the impact of Girl Scouting. All that research is out there to share and change more lives through a story.
I did leave the book ready to refocus my life on being a woman of courage, confidence, and character who makes the world a better place one girl or one woman at a time.
This book reminded me what I gain in my years as a scout. It also reminded me what I missed because the organization failed to stay current and relevant. If they had been a little "cooler" I may have stuck in longer. As a very goal driven person (even as a young child) if I had felt like there was more to achieve I would have stayed. It's a great reminder that "doing good work" for a community is not enough. Any organization need to evolve and stay connected to its purpose not just it's mission.
Of course this is written from the view of one person's journey through the organization. Some may see it as a self centered view and other may see it as propaganda. Some see it as a push to "raise" girls to pursue everything other then motherhood.
My take from this book is Girl Scouting can have a positive impact on a girls life, open her eyes to new ways of thinking and to explore things that normally a girl would by pass. I found it interesting how many woman in NASA were Girl Scouts.
The book was a short and a fast read. I think it could have gone deeper on many levels. It left me wanting more. I hope that the organization will take time to write more about the history and the impact of Girl Scouting. All that research is out there to share and change more lives through a story.
I did leave the book ready to refocus my life on being a woman of courage, confidence, and character who makes the world a better place one girl or one woman at a time.
July 28, 2014
This book was interesting as a piece of Girl Scout history, but not necessarily as a leadership book. The author starts by telling us she's not going to make an argument about why having more women leaders would be better, and then spends the first half of the book explaining why having more women as leaders is better. I would have appreciated more lessons on how to become a better leader as a woman compared to the traditional "male" mode of leadership, instead of just being told that being a woman leader is important, and that's what the Girl Scouts are trying to do.
The book does spark a good question, however- when does an existing brand/company decide it needs to take revolutionary action to keep it's brand alive, and when is it just a temporary downturn. We saw how it happened to companies like Blockbuster, who were too complacent about their competition until it was too late. Kathy Cloninger uses this as the reason for the apparent radical transformation of the Girl Scout program- but that has caused much controversy as well. It's perhaps a question without a definitive answer. Only time will tell if the Girl Scouts rebound or not.
The book does spark a good question, however- when does an existing brand/company decide it needs to take revolutionary action to keep it's brand alive, and when is it just a temporary downturn. We saw how it happened to companies like Blockbuster, who were too complacent about their competition until it was too late. Kathy Cloninger uses this as the reason for the apparent radical transformation of the Girl Scout program- but that has caused much controversy as well. It's perhaps a question without a definitive answer. Only time will tell if the Girl Scouts rebound or not.
May 4, 2015
Lessons in leadership, lessons in Girl Scouting
I picked this up to expand my understanding of Girl Scouts USA ways and practices. Big changes have been happening in the organization since 2005 and many veteran leaders have been discombobulated by the new push in leadership training for girls. Tough Cookies spells out the reasons why these changes have occurred and GSUSA's hope for the future. On a personal level, the author's vision and drive have inspired me to keep my eye on the big picture of being a woman of courage, confidence, and character who makes the world a better place one Girl Scout at a time.
I picked this up to expand my understanding of Girl Scouts USA ways and practices. Big changes have been happening in the organization since 2005 and many veteran leaders have been discombobulated by the new push in leadership training for girls. Tough Cookies spells out the reasons why these changes have occurred and GSUSA's hope for the future. On a personal level, the author's vision and drive have inspired me to keep my eye on the big picture of being a woman of courage, confidence, and character who makes the world a better place one Girl Scout at a time.
July 24, 2012
This book was a super fast read and me a little insight and background info on the merger of coucils that happened prior to my coming to Girl Scouts- something I knew very little about. Aditionally it talks on the whys and hows all the recent changes within Girl Scouts and the Girl Scouts program occured, I found it pretty interesting really :)
June 14, 2016
Hmmm...we'll see. Might be a while.
So the entire new GS program came from the head of one woman and her song-writer husband? Strange.
It was helpful to see the why and how of this massive organizational change.
So the entire new GS program came from the head of one woman and her song-writer husband? Strange.
It was helpful to see the why and how of this massive organizational change.
July 10, 2012
I was hoping for more of a history of Girl Scouting, but the book was still interesting. As a former Girl Scout and Troop Leader I think it is an outstanding organization for girls and offers them opportunities they can't find anywhere else.
October 10, 2012
As a Girl Scout leader, I was looking forward to this book so as to gather some sort of insight. I did not get it. It is a good book to read to see the rise of Kathy Cloninger to Girl Scout CEO but it didn't offer any insights, at least to me.
October 29, 2011
Very interesting. History of GS as well as business decisions they have made in the last few years.
November 7, 2011
Interesting overview of the change the Girl Scouts have gone through revitalizing the program.
Inspiring read about the need for girl leadership training.
Got me all fired up about Girl Scouts.
Inspiring read about the need for girl leadership training.
Got me all fired up about Girl Scouts.
January 3, 2012
Crap. I read it to try to understand what the true agenda of the Girl Scouts of the USA organization is - but this clarified it in no way.
August 20, 2012
This is more about business than Leadership.
February 6, 2012
Great book. I really enjoyed reading about the history of Girl Scouts and the new direction they are taking.
September 3, 2012
Interesting read but would have enjoyed more history.
August 7, 2015
Having been a Girl Scout, it is interesting to hear how the organization is changing with the times.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews