I just finished Womenomics, written by Claire Shipman and Katty Kay. The book discusses power, success and balance for working women in America—and the authors give practical advice on how women can cultivate their power and achieve balance & success in their own careers.
It’s just plain luck on my part that I finished this book when I did because Ms. Shipman will be moderating a keynote discussion with Jack Welch at SHRM 2009. Her presence as the moderator—and not a speaker in her own right—reminds me that strong, successful, and wealthy businessmen in Corporate America are supported by equally strong & smart women who rarely seem to make it to the top.
You can visit the Womenomics website here, read the Womenomics blog on True/Slant, or read an interesting post by work/life balance consultant and blogger Leanne Chase. To summarize her post, she thinks the book got it wrong.
I think Womenomics is worth reading and discussing with the men and women in your life, so I’d like to give away a copy.
- Can you tell me about an unsung female hero you have in your own life?
- Who worked really hard and struggled to achieve balance and success?
- Why do you admire this woman?
Leave a comment and I’ll pick a winner on Sunday night.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: JACKBUILT IS THE WINNER. WHOO HOO!]
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Okay, sentimental again I suppose, but my mom.
My mom started her career as a nurse, went back to school twice, once to earn her bachelor’s degree in healthcare management, and then her master’s in the same field. Why is she my hero in this regard? Well, not just because she’s my mom, but because she came up in the 80’s, fought for every inch of respect and authority she earned with doctors – still a male dominated environment in the good ‘ol 80’s and very much steeped in a Masters of the Universe mentality – and managed to somehow balance being tough as hell in an industry in which she still had to see patients and their families, promote and mentor the nurses she managed, and make business decisions in a healthcare environment. She showed amazing compassion when it was necessary and whipped out an enourmous set of balls when appropriate.
While she did that, working more hours in a day than I ever care to, she was active in all of mine and my brother’s activities, managed to scare us straight on a daily basis, and bake cupcakes and cookies.
My mom spent lots of years as the nursing administrator for a large hospital in the East San Francisco Bay Area and when she got tired of it, she stepped down to managing the floors of the hospital that care for the terminally ill before they moved on to hospice or passed on. She comforted families, ran a tight ship with her staff, and was completely satisfied. When she retired doctors, nurses, and families came to her dinner and cried real tears for her mentoring, her expectation of respect for everyone on her staff as the experts that they are, and the inroads she made for those she brought up with her. I have to admit, I didn’t really get it until then. It was all sort of summed up by two photos – the first of my mom in her nurse hat, her nurse dress, her nurse panty hose, and her nurse shoes (they had to keep that outfit clean while they worked with all kinds of very unclean fluids, yo). The second was of my mom in scrubs, at her desk, in her office. With a window.
She’s no prime minister or anything, but I have no idea how she did all that and she is certainly the person I think about when I explain for the umpteenth job that it isn’t my job to plan the ice cream social as well as when I am asking someone to please consider calling EAP.
90% of the time the answer would be MOM. because moms fit this profile so well. selfless care, tremendous efficiency, goal orientedness, people management, time management without ever asking for promotion.
It is a great book, Laurie. And, of all the people we considered to interview Jack Welch, we picked Claire Shipman because she is strong, smart, and the kind of journalist who will get the “real story” with Jack. We’re thrilled that she was available and look forward to a dynamic and “no holds barred” discussion between two significantly accomplished and successful professionals: the journalist and the former CEO. And if you haven’t bought her book yet, wait till you get to the SHRM Annual Conference in New Orleans and buy it at the onsite SHRM bookstore before the opening session — she’ll sign it for you afterwards!
I’d have to say I admire my opponent. She has really been a great partner. She put up for years of now dates on weekends because I had gigs in comedy clubs. When I didn’t have a gig, I was often traveling for my day job, yet somehow she was always there when I got back.
She built her own career (she works on cardiac research studies) starting as a cardio-thoracic scrub nurse and working her way up to a published data manager with the premier cardiac research organization in the world.
When I said “Hey I got this great opportunity, but it’s in the middle of nowhere.” She never hesitated, and decided to come out here with me site unseen. She’s such a sport, we got married three 3 days before I started, so her honeymoon was a 1600 mile road trip on 90W.
Through it all she’s kept us focused, maintained her career (she works remotely now), given me the ability to grow my career, supports me in my stand up, and keeps us coordinated with our families and friends far away.
I don’t know how she does it, I can’t juggle one thing most times. Sometimes I don’t know why she does it, I’m sure -30 degree winter days weren’t what she imagined our first marital home to be like; but everyday I’m thankful she does it. I’m also thankful that through it all, it’s not been about “me” or “her” it’s been about us as a team, she hasn’t given up her career and identity, and neither have I, and I think that is sadly often not the case. So whether or not we win the book, I just want to make sure my opponent (she’s fine with the pet name, it’s from my act) get’s the props she deserves.
Puf out.
I’m probably the only woman in America who asks for stories about women on FATHER’S DAY.
DUH!
@jackbuilt the book is yours! Send your address to yo@punkrockhr.com and I’ll ship the book.
@Puf Your opponent deserves the props.
my mom’s the bombs. she’s hung in thru health and looooots of sickness and kept her wits and humor about her. and she loves u laurs. we are wishing you a good day mama. we love you!
Sorry I’m late to the party, but my wife, the unstoppable Mrs. Icepick, saw the authors on TV a few weeks back and can’t wait to read the book. My wife sits on two associations in our city (and is the chair of one of them), works a full-time “day job” with at least one work-related night meeting per week, is a great mom, and supports my generally lazy ass. That’s pretty good in my book.
And by support, I mean emotional and encouragement, which in many ways is as important as financial support (until you need to eat, I suppose, but I digress) — I do actually manage to work, but her dedication and commitment is amazing to be around.
@icepick I actually have two copies of the book. Want a free one? Email me your address at yo@punkrockhr.com and I’ll ship it.
Whoa. I really beg to differ about how legit these authors are in representing women who cultivate power as hardworking, independent business professionals. Look over their bios – their parents, their spouses… diplomats, communications director to Joe Biden, CNN bureau chief, etc. These women did not move up the corporate ladder independently or with much animosity from colleagues. Their families had money & influence, and then they married to become power couples. I’m not saying they never had challenges in their life or that they are stupid. They actually seem intelligent (their parents paid for their ivy league college education) but they just are not exactly my idea of inspiring businesswomen. But what great business idea did they come up with and implement? What failures did they overcome and grow from (without the help from mom/dad/hubby)?!?! I wouldn’t read this one if you paid me $100 per page! Seems like a bunch of garbage – what’s next, a self help book from Meghan McCain!? PUH-LEASE!!!
Even though the prize was awarded to a very worthy post, I want to go on record that my wife is one of my personal heroes. She works as a project director for an international company that makes printers. It’s a fine work environment, they truly care about the morale of their employees, yet one can still see that the glass ceiling is alive and well. But that has never deterred my wife. In fact, she won their top award for employee performance (North and South America) TWO years in a row. She also earned a Master’s degree during that time. Months ago she was forced to put her father into a nursing home. Typically, she found a wonderful facility near her office. She wakes up around 5:30 am, helps her Dad start his day at 6:30 and is at work by 8:00. She leaves her office at about 6:30 pm, checks on Dad and is home by 8:00. She is caring, warm, vibrant, generous, beautiful and just an all-around cool chick. And I am the luckiest guy on the planet.
@KFP Well the book was pretty good and interesting but you’re right that successful people tend to come from successful families. I wouldn’t attack these women for associating themselves with successful people or being born in wealthy families because very few of us rise up from our bootstraps and attack the world. I read Outliers and the author really disproves the notion of individual success. Also, I hate it when women are viewed as extensions of husbands and families when men aren’t viewed that way. We don’t attack Chis Wallace (Fox News) for being Mike Wallace’s son. Katty Kay and Claire Shipman have extensive CVs and they are noted and respected journalists.
@HRCrout Noted. Your wife is a lucky woman, too!