Break Your Own Rules

New York Times Bestseller

How women can make it to the top by adopting the new rules of leadership

Women hold just 11 percent of the most senior-level leadership positions in U.S. Corporations—a number that hasn't changed in over 30 years. How can women break through? Break Your Own Rules distills the six faulty assumptions (or "rules") most women follow that get in the way—then delivers the correlating new rules that promise to clear that path. For example, the old rule of "Focus on Others" must be replaced by "Take Center Stage," "Hard Work Will Get You There" must yield to "Be Politically Savvy." "Play It Safe" must give way to "Play to Win." "Ask Permission" must be replaced by "Proceed Until Apprehended."

• Features the results of over 1,700 interviews with executives in Fortune 1000 companies, as well as the authors' new research and ongoing work with over 5,000 professional women
• Showcases previously-untold stories from high profile women including Ann Moore (CEO, Time Inc.), Susan Ivey (CEO, Reynolds American), Cathy Bessant (Global Executive for Technology and Operations for Bank of America), Lynn Ford (CEO, ING Solutions), and more
• Reveals what it really takes for any woman to succeed at the highest levels
• Foreword by Sharon Allen, Chairman of Deloitte

This hands-on guide is for women who are ready to transform their assumptions and join the senior ranks of American business.

Commended for Axiom Business Book Awards (Women/Minorities in Bus.) 2012

“'A useful read and no doubt a good book club discussion for an action learning set of women focusing on their development' (People Management, 29 November 2011)”

"A useful read and no doubt a good book club discussion for an action learning set of women focusing on their development." (People Management, 29 November 2011)

Jill Flynn, M.Ed., is managing partner of Flynn Heath Holt Leadership (FHHL), a consulting firm dedicated to developing women leaders. Previously she was SVP at Wachovia (now Wells Fargo).

Kathryn Heath, Ph.D., is managing partner of FHHL. Previously she was SVP and director of First University at Wachovia (now Wells Fargo).

Mary Davis Holt, M.B.A., is managing partner of FHHL. Previously she was SVP and COO of Time Life, Inc.

FHHL's clients include Deloitte, Avery Dennison, National Geographic, the U.S. State Department, and TIAA-CREF.

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It's time for women everywhere to reimagine leadership--and put themselves at the top. The good news is that we know exactly how to make this happen: Break Your Own Rules distills the six faulty assumptions (or "rules") most women follow that get in the way of achieving their full potential--then delivers the correlating new rules that promise to clear that path all the way to the executive boardroom. Old: Focus on Others vs. New: Take Center Stage Old: Seek Approval vs. New: Proceed Until Apprehended Old: Be Modest vs. New: Project Personal Power Old: Work Harder vs. New: Be Politically Savvy Old: Play It Safe vs. New: Play to Win Old: It's All or Nothing vs. New: It's Both-And Authors Jill Flynn, Kathryn Heath, and Mary Davis Holt have coached and trained over 5,000 women and helped them earn high-powered corporate positions. Based on their latest research, years of coaching successful business women, and over 1,700 interviews with executives in Fortune 500 companies, Break Your Own Rules reveals how women everywhere can start to change the thinking that drives their actions--and start winning in greater numbers. Break Your Own Rules showcases previously untold stories from such high-profile executives as Ann Moore (recently retired CEO, Time Inc.), Susan Ivey (recently retired CEO, Reynolds American), Cathy Bessant (global technology and operations executive at Bank of America), and Lynne Ford (CEO, ING Individual Retirement). This hands-on guide is for any woman who is ready to transform her assumptions and join the senior ranks of American business.

Praise for Break Your Own Rules "Women are still underrepresented in the executive ranks. Flynn, Heath, and Holt have identified the six behaviors that keep even the most achievement-oriented women from reaching their highest potential. They've also recommended six new doable practices that can moveyou where you want to go." Marshall Goldsmith, executive coach and bestselling author, What Got You Here Won't Get You There and Mojo "Leadership experts Flynn, Heath, and Holt have delivered a gem. Break Your Own Rules explains exactly why so few women run organizationstoday, and what every woman can do Monday morning to change that. The book is an eye-opener and a life-changer." Kathleen Parker, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist and author, Save the Males: Why Men Matter, Why Women Should Care "Break Your Own Rules is a myth-busting, truth-telling, tradition-defying powerhouse of a book. The six new rules revealed by the authors proclaim a modern Magna Carta for women that could revolutionize our workplaces, our homes, and our communities. But this is not just a book for women. The more female leaders organizations have, the more successful they are. Men must also read this book if they want to create a workplace that welcomes and sustains more and more women in their top managerial ranks. Stop wasting half of the most valuable talent we have in today's organizations. Buy this book and put it to use immediately." Jim Kouzes, coauthor, The Leadership Challenge, and Dean's Executive Fellow of Leadership, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University "Senior leadership has been especially elusive for women. The authors dismiss conventional corporate ladder wisdom, providing a clear and actionable strategy in a corporate lattice world where hierarchies are flatter and the rate of change is exponential. Their book helps women and men realize their leadership potential." Cathleen Benko, bestselling author and vice chairman, Deloitte LLP

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