Enlightened Power: How Women are Transforming the Practice of Leadership [Hardcover]

Lin Coughlin (Editor), Ellen Wingard (Editor), Keith Hollihan (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2005

How are women transforming the practice of leadership in the 21^st century?  Enlightened Power is a first-of-a-kind book that answers this question--and forever changes the traditional notions involving women in leadership. The book features the accumulated wisdom of 40 influential men and women who represent the most compelling voices in the field, including:

•  Dynamic business leaders such as Eileen Fisher (founder, Eileen Fisher, Inc.), Barbara Corcoran (founder and chairman, The Corcoran Group), and Pat Mitchell (president and CEO, PBS)
• Trailblazing women from other arenas such as politics (Ambassador Swanee Hunt), the military (Rear Admiral Deborah A. Loewer, USN), and sports (U.S. Olympian Marilyn King)
• Renowned thought leaders such as Riane Eisler, Rayona Sharpnack, Sally Helgesen, Peggy Klaus, Bruce Patton, Nancy J. Adler, and Gail Evans
• Leading-edge academics, activists, executives, entrepreneurs, and practitioners

 

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Each of the 40 essays in this collection offers a unique take on the challenges women face as they emerge into positions of power. Created to disseminate the type of knowledge shared annually at the Women in Leadership Summit, the collection presents sophisticated advice on how to make such transitions work, not just for individuals, but for society. Though a bit overwhelming in number, the essays are not repetitious; in fact, they rarely overlap in their points. Most provide insight into specific work-related goals and behaviors, such as "influencing for impact," conducting difficult conversations, finding mentors and bragging constructively about accomplishments. Male-bashing is conspicuously absent. The editors' intent is more constructive than that, with nearly every chapter delivering take-away applications to one's current position and a better understanding of the errors one may have made in the past. There are, however, several touchy-feely chapters, and the foreword by David Gergen irritates with its pro-women pandering. And while the stylistic switches from chapter to chapter are mostly welcome-first person and personal from Barbara Corcoran to business-school academic from Karen Stephenson-the writing skill varies immensely across authors and some of the essays are very poorly constructed. Patient readers will be rewarded, however, with honest insight into how to make the most of their hard-fought rise through the corporate ranks and how to enjoy that success in both their professional and personal lives.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From the Inside Flap

How are women transforming the practice of leadership in the 21st century? Enlightened Power is a first-of-a-kind book that answers this question—and forever changes the traditional notions involving women in leadership.

The book features the accumulated wisdom of 40 influential men and women who represent the most compelling voices in the field, including:

• Dynamic business leaders such as Eileen Fisher (founder, Eileen Fisher, Inc.), Barbara Corcoran (founder and chairman, The Corcoran Group), and Pat Mitchell (president and CEO, PBS)
• Trailblazing women from other arenas such as politics (Ambassador Swanee Hunt), the military (Rear Admiral Deborah A. Loewer, USN), and sports (U.S. Olympian Marilyn King)
• Renowned thought leaders such as Riane Eisler, Rayona Sharpnack, Sally Helgesen, Peggy Klaus, Bruce Patton, Nancy J. Adler, and Gail Evans
• Leading-edge academics, activists, executives, entrepreneurs, and practitioners

Each provides a unique perspective on how women are transforming leadership in business, the media, education, politics, and culture across the nation—and around the world.

Tapping into the richness of the annual Women in Leadership Summit presented by Linkage, Inc., Enlightened Power contains stories of vulnerability and strength, authenticity and compassion, courage and conviction, and integrity and impact. Through these stories, the authors reveal their "enlightened power"—and provide both inspiration and practical wisdom for women leaders who want or need to bring their own enlightened power forward.

Women today—occupants of the corner office, emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and leaders in nonprofit and noncorporate disciplines—are all seeking ways to redefine and leverage power so they can achieve personal fulfillment, extraordinary business results, and positive social change. Enlightened Power is the groundbreaking book that shows them the way.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 576 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (April 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078797787X
• ISBN-13: 978-0787977870
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #538,770 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wide variety means relevant content, May 22, 2005

By 

Diane K. Danielson "Principal Consultant, DKD... (Cohasset, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Enlightened Power: How Women are Transforming the Practice of Leadership (Hardcover)

From David Gergen's foreward through Pat Mitchell's afterward, Enlightened Power forces us to contemplate the many traits that women bring to leadership positions and how they relate to our own roles as leaders. Whether you're working in corporate America or as an entrepreneur, you'll find guidance, insight and inspiration from the many contributers to this tome on women and leadership. Of particular interest to me were Kira Hower's chapter on "Influencing for Impact," and Karen Stephenson's chapter on "The Art and Science of Human Knowledge Networks." But, with such a wide variety of voices, I'm sure no matter where you are in your career, you will find articles that address your issues - that's the beauty of pulling together a number of different voices and viewpoints.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Comprehensive Manual On Women and Leadership, May 19, 2005

By 

Jennifer Smithson (Chicago, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Enlightened Power: How Women are Transforming the Practice of Leadership (Hardcover)

This book is a wonderful addition to anyone's personal or professional library, advancing the timely discussion on women, leadership and achievement with essays from David Gergen, Pat Mitchell, Peggy Klaus, Karen Stephenson, Pat Schaffer, Eileen Fisher...all with kernels of wisdom on women, leadership, and the effects that women have had on leaders.

Take a look at the introduction by Lin Coughlin, Chief Administrative Office at Cendant, and the essay by Ellen Winguard, Executive Coach...for a good overview of the messages in the book.

But the most wonderful thing about Enlightened Power is its very personalized stories and words of wisdom from each contributor. This is the perfect gift, and an inspiration to all.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, Practical, and Thought Provoking, April 13, 2005

By 

Tucker E. (MA & St. Croix) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Enlightened Power: How Women are Transforming the Practice of Leadership (Hardcover)

Anyone who lives or works with high functioning, hard working women (which I do) will recognize them and the anecdotes offered in Englightened Power. They are spirited, highly committed to their causes, and passionate about making a difference in their worlds-- academic, corporate and public service. And these organizations are lucky to have them.