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Her Corner Office: A Guide to Help Women Find a Place and a Voice in Corporate America

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What's with the corner office? I recently read another book in which Lois P. Frankel explains why "nice girls don't get the corner office." Probably not until World War II were most adult women in the United States allowed to combine full-time employment with marriage and/or parenthood. Even then, many of the women relinquished their jobs to men after the war ended. They, their daughters, and their granddaughters were again strongly encouraged to accept the role of a subordinate, deferential, compliant, cooperative, "Stepford-ish" role in the home, in the community, and even in the workplace.

According to Frankel, "Attempts to act counter to this socialized role are met with ridicule, disapproval and scorn." She goes on to observe, "Whether it was Mom's message -- 'Boys don't like girls who are too loud.' -- or, in response to any angry outburst, a spouse's messages -- 'What's the matter? Is it that time of month?' -- women are continually bombarded. with negative reinforcement for acting in any manner contrary to what they were taught in girlhood. As a result, they learn that acting like a 'good girl' is less painful than than assuming more appropriate behavior for adult women (and totally acceptable for boys and adult men.)"

In this volume, Trudy Bourgeois offers "a guide to help women find a place and a voice in corporate America." Presumably for many of those who read this book, her advice will help to achieve those objectives. The book is sensibly organized and well-written. In her Introduction, she offers four practical suggestions as to how to get the most out of her book. I presume to add a fifth which I think is more important than any of the four: Be totally committed to achieving your objectives (whatever they may be) and to investing as much time and energy may be required of you (whatever barriers and obstacles you may encounter). Success demands an effective collaboration of heart, mind, and soul. I agree with Henry Ford: "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right."

Bourgeois includes a number of reader-friendly sections (e.g. exercises in which to record responses to key points within the text) while urging her reader to purchase a notebook or journal whose sole purpose is to accumulate whatever thoughts, feelings, anxieties, dreams, fears, goals, etc. the reader may have, first while reading her book and then, especially, when attempting to apply Bourgeois' advice...and not only in the workplace. Presumably Bourgeois shares my admiration of what Eleanor Roosevelt once said: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

I have a few minor quibbles. Yes, yes, I realize that Bourgeois uses the corner office as a status symbol. However, the challenge for any executive (male or female) is to become indispensable to her or his organization. More often than not, however, that will not be accomplished in a corner office; rather, "where the action is." Specifically, offsite working closely with clients to serve their needs, solve their problems, and strengthen relations with their customers. Down on the shop floor (or its equivalent) helping associates to strengthen their skills and increase their productivity. Out in the marketplace evaluating the competition, looking for the earliest signs of emerging trends (i.e. paradigm shifts), and cultivating prospective new clients.

Who will derive the greatest benefit from this book? Although it was written primarily for women, I think anyone -- male as well as female -- above the age of (let's say) 16 will find substantial value in it. Also, many men in senior-level executive positions will welcome Bourgeois' guidance because they also want to help women "find a place and a voice in corporate America." I also highly recommend this book to another group: male as well as female students now preparing for -- or only recently embarked on -- a career in business.

... If my daughter were to read this book and then ask me what my own career advice to her would be, here it is: "Don't stop with a corner office. Own the building!"...

The second edition of "Her Corner Office: A Guide to Help Women Find a Place and a Voice in Corporate America" is a book that can benefit both men and women interested in career and life success. It is written by Trudy Bourgeois, one of the first African-American woman VPs in the consumer goods industry. It is a fully revised and expanded edition of the first "Her Corner Office" which was released in 2004.

I like this book for several reasons. The first being that Ms. Bourgeois provides "Points Worth Remembering" at the end of each chapter. These highly focused points drive home what she says in each chapter. I think it is a good idea to reproduce each of these pages to keep next to your desk. They provide a very handy reference guide to career management and leadership.

Chapter 3 focuses on self confidence - on the five keys to success in my book "Straight Talk for Success." Ms. Bourgeois lists the following "Points Worth Remembering" for self confidence.

* Knowing yourself and what you want is the cornerstone of self confidence.
* Recognizing that events in your past have shaped your self esteem and self confidence. If you are blocked by a hurtful experience, get help to get past it.
* A lack of confidence is often tied to a lock of preparation.
* Confidence breeds confidence; as you are willing to take on bigger challenges and make a bigger impact.
* Believe in yourself; have faith that everything will work out no matter what.
* Build a confidence vault. Keep a file of all the great things you have achieved in your life. Revisit this file from time to time.

I love the idea of a confidence file. I have one. I'm going to spend some time with it this week.

Also, I like Ms. Bourgeois' advice on preparation. I often joke that "preparation makes up for a lack of talent." It's true, preparation is an important element of success. Joe Paterno, head football coach at Penn State, my alma mater once said, "The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital." I agree. Preparation will not only make up for a lack of talent it will build your confidence.

In short, I really like "Her Corner Office." I recommend it to anyone interested in becoming a career and life success.

In the 19th century women in the workforce was a rarity. In the 20th century women began to transition from the home to the workplace in increasing numbers decade by decade. In The 21st century most women work outside the home, with more and more of them entering the domain of corporate management responsibilities -- but there is still a proverbial 'glass ceiling' that must be dealt with respecting women achieve parity with men in corporate offices and boardrooms. Now in a fully updated and significantly expanded second edition, "Her Corner Office: A Guide To Help Women Find A Place And A Voice In Corporate America" by Trudy Bourgeois (President and CEO of The Center for Workforce Excellence) continues to draw upon her more than twenty-four years of experience and expertise as a speaker, executive coach, trainer, and the first African American female VP in the consumer goods industry to present an informed and informative manual for women seeking to succeed in a corporate career of their own. "Her Corner Office" covers issues of personal confidence, actionable blueprints for professional success, the 'general manager mindset', being a credible leader, overcoming stereotypes concerning women in the workplace, leadership styles within an organizational framework, as well as making conflict and change advantageous to success. Of special note is what Trudy Bourgeois has to say about women supporting other women in a corporate environment. As inspired and inspiring as it is practical and 'user friendly', "Her Corner Office" should be considered essential reading for any woman either entering the corporate world for the first time, or have been trying to work their way up the corporate ladder and achieve a corner office of their own.