The Corporate Dominatrix: Six Roles to Play to Get Your Way at Work [Hardcover]

Lisa Robyn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 10, 2007

The Corporate Dominatrix exposes the workplace for what it truly is: a social sadomasochistic wonderland -- one in which some people have power and some do not, thus creating an unbalanced command-and-control dynamic. Using the psychological tools of the professional dominatrix, Lisa Robyn shows women how to role-play their way to success by employing the tactics of six mistress archetypes: Goddess, Queen, Amazon, Governess, Nurse, and Schoolgirl. For a dominatrix in everyday life, the key to effectiveness lies in being switchable -- knowing when to be firm and direct and when to be flexible and accommodating. The Corporate Dominatrix dominates without being domineering and is submissive without being subservient. She stands up for her rights in an open and straightforward way, and she is confident enough to intuit what her clients or colleagues want and she responds accordingly.

Robyn provides a compelling strategy for women to get their way at work by choosing the appropriate role to fit the particular situation, while always behaving in a professional manner that earns respect. Filled with examples and practical tips, this provocative business book will help every businesswoman advance to the position she wants and truly become the mistress of her domain.

Power becomes you . . . Use it wisely.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

It would be understandable but wrong to assume that Robyn—a publishing industry and public relations veteran—attached an eye-catching title to a standard female empowerment book just to snag the attention. But her effort is no more standard than the questions in the Corporate Dominatrix personality quiz. Applying the lessons she learned "stepping into the pumps" of a practicing dominatrix and owner of an upscale dungeon in New York, she doesn't just talk a good game, she whips the secrets of the s&m trade into practical advice for thriving in the workplace. Guiding readers through the six roles of domination—the goddess, the queen, the governess, the amazon, the nurse and the schoolgirl—she describes the attributes of each role and how to play them in order to gain positive results from bosses, co-workers and direct reports. For instance, assuming the amazon role can smooth the way when merging staffs after a reorganization; the schoolgirl role creates opportunities to borrow power and learn from mentors; and if a queen rules with a velvet glove, not an iron fist, she can build support by fortifying those below her. More than a standout title, Robyn offers advice for getting serious results in a most readable fashion. Leather, whips and chains are optional. (Apr. 11)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"A must-read for women who want to use their power more effectively in the workplace. Not whips and chains but clear, cogent, and practical strategies for the dominatrix within you." -- David Brandt, PhD, bestselling author of Don't Stop Now, You're Killing Me: The Sadomasochism Game in Everyday Life and How Not to Play It

"If Lisa Robyn were a stock, I would invest in her. She's the consummate Corporate Dominatrix, and her savvy career advice is invaluable." -- Barbara Stanny, suthor of Secrets of Six-Figure Women, Overcoming Underearning, and Prince Charming Isn't Coming: How Women Get Smart About Money

"Like Wendy Doniger and Sudhir Kakar's feminist Kama Sutra, Lisa Robyn's The Corporate Dominatrix is a mind bender. Sensitive to the power plays and players in institutional life, this book overturns gender stereotypes to reveal how women may empower themselves in the workplace. Keeping their eyes on the ball, women executives will learn the long-range strategies, at times involving tactical retreats, that will enable them to realize their career objectives." -- John Munder Ross, PhD, author of The Sadomasochism of Everyday Life; What Men Want; and Tales of Love, Sex and Danger

"If you've been held back by a corporate structure designed by men, The Corporate Dominatrix will show you, step-by-step, how to get the big bucks and the real power on your own terms with real cases, strategies, and roles you've been playing all your life. It turns the tables on corporate power, and ths time women win big!" -- William Parkhurst, author of How to Get Publicity and The Eloquent Executive

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Gallery Books (April 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141694074X
• ISBN-13: 978-1416940746
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 6.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,249,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

LISA ROBYN is a book publishing veteran and founder and president of her own marketing communications company. Before establishing her own firm, Robyn held senior positions on the public relations, marketing, and editorial side of the book business. She created blockbuster marketing campaigns for bestsellers such as The Dilbert Principle, Reengineering the Corporation, Good to Great, The Innovator's Dilemma, and Who Says Elephants Can't Dance?, among others. She also taught book publicity at the NYU School of Continuing Education. Robyn has been quoted in the New York Times, Industry Standard, Publishers Weekly, BusinessWeek, 800ceoread, PR Tactics, and MBA Jungle.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If the tactic works use it, September 2, 2009

By 

L. Cadigan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Corporate Dominatrix: Six Roles to Play to Get Your Way at Work (Hardcover)

This author is looking at the workplace the way it is rather than what many people would hope it is. This book is another useful tool in understanding your position and thus help to move ahead in the business world. It lays out specific ideas and how to implement them. I recommend it to everyone that wants to elevate their position in the workplace.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Provacative theme, same tired business-success advice, June 10, 2009

By 

Diverse "bobh" (Glendale, WI, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Corporate Dominatrix: Six Roles to Play to Get Your Way at Work (Hardcover)

Titillating title, eh? Sexually dripping front cover. This former VP of Marketing knows the 1st rule of magazines, "They'll judge the book by it's cover." The cover is Sex, and Sex sells.
The inside isn't so helpful, though. The author bases her 'Dominatrix Wins" opinions on "archetypes", a Jungian reference. I don't know if Jung actually created the archetypes she usesor if the author made them up. Either way, the 6 archetypes range from the domineering Queen to passive Schoolgirl, with the other 4 falling between them.
She explains each archetype, gives a vague Cosmo-like quiz, and then allows the reader to label herself. She then gives a couple simplistic business situations that the role is used in.
Here's the key problems:
1) No indication of "When" to use these, just descriptions of "What".
2) The examples conflict. Example: The "Warrior" dominatrix never takes no for an answer. Her project is given to a different employee. So, the "warrior" refuses to give, presents a new project that shows the project can be completed in half the time and half the cost. And the Warrior Wins! Now, in real corporate life, any lead engineer/project manager who basically says "My 1st estimate was 100% overpriced, here's the real cost" will lose instant credibility.

3) The "Queen" stereotype example: "Dress for success. Lisa never dressed down on casual friday. She always said 'I dress assuming the president will drop by." OK. But 3 chapters earlier she talks about the "Nurturing" archetype who does her best to bond with her team. And the Nurturing archetype strives to be one of the team, thus she dresses down to maintain camaraderie. So, does that mean if your Nurturing, you can't be a future CEO?

Regardless of contradictions, the book takes the usual self-help tone: If you make a plan, the plan will succeed.

Good luck with that.
Competition reacts to your actions, so plans don't always work.
And if some coworker starts acting in this way, most people will see through the charade. And then they'll know you're a schemer, and be on the defensive with you.
And once you get past the little "dominatrix" schtick, the success advice is decades old.

This book may attract a recent female graduate, confused on finding her place in the office. But I'd recommend
The 48 Laws of Power for a much better training guide.

10 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take a new look at the workplace, March 27, 2007

By 

Mary Carlomagno "Author, Speaker, Simplicity ... - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Corporate Dominatrix: Six Roles to Play to Get Your Way at Work (Hardcover)

The Corporate Domantrix is so delightfully interesting, you will want to share it with your entire office! I had never thought about the corporate environment in this way before and will never look at it the same way again. Finding out what role you play is fascinating... It will change the way you look at yourself and those around you. The book is entertaining and highly interactive. This is a really interesting look at a fascinating topic!!