What Queen Esther Knew: Business Stategies from a Biblical Sage [Hardcover]

Connie Glaser (Author), Barbara Smalley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 23, 2003

". . . practical strategies to help you become the queen you deserve to be."

The story of Queen Esther, the orphan girl who became Queen of Persia and saved her people, has inspired millions and is the focus of a joyful celebration of thanksgiving--but there's more to Esther's story than meets the eye. Connie Glaser and Barbara Steinberg Smalley found something remarkable--Esther's tale contains the ingredients every woman needs to succeed in the business world today.

From Esther's start as a contestant in the ancient world's largest beauty pageant to her triumph over the evil Haman, the authors use her example as a strategist, a risk-taker, and a persuasive speaker to provide a new archetype for contemporary women's success in business. Along the way, they answer questions such as:

- Do I really need a mentor, and if so, how do I find one?
- What can I do to be taken more seriously?
- How can I get the credit and recognition I deserve--without seeming pushy or aggressive?
- How important is risk-taking to my career success?

Smart, savvy, and strategic, Queen Esther provides an impressive role model for women today.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Authors Connie Glaser and Barbara Smalley revisit an ancient question: How did an orphaned Jewish girl win a beauty contest and become the most powerful woman in Persia? They shape the tale of Biblical Queen Esther into an intriguing tutorial for women as managers. Esther’s development as a leader illuminates key strategies for success. These leadership tools are introduced through old/new parallels. For example, Esther’s mastery of "palace protocol" translates into learning corporate culture, her closeness with her wise cousin Mordechai creates a template to finding a mentor, her dustups with the villainous Haman become a primer for dealing with difficult people, and her bravery in saving her people underlines integrity and risk-taking. Glaser and Smalley alternate examples from Esther’s leadership with those of contemporary executives such as Avon CEO Andrea Jung and Enron whistle blower Sherron Watkins.

Each chapter begins with an excerpt from the Esther story and is followed by highly practical suggestions. Seasoned businesswomen may find some strategies familiar. And the writing is diminished by expert quotes that could have been paraphrased. Yet the author’s engaging and thoughtful examples rule the day. Their insights about a tale as old as time are relevant and inspiring. --Barbara Mackoff

From Publishers Weekly

Some may be skeptical as to whether the Bible can-or should be-mined for lessons on attaining business success. But Glaser and Smalley have no doubt: "Esther emerges as an ideal role model for women today." The book draws on the Old Testament account of Esther, in which the poor but beautiful Jewish orphan girl strikes the King of Persia's fancy and is taken to be his queen. One day Esther learns from Mordecai, her cousin and "mentor," that the King's wicked advisor, Haman, plans a genocide against the Jews. Mordecai calls upon Esther to use her influence with the King to save her people. Esther, calling upon her business savvy and feminine wiles, gets the King to grant her any wish. She wishes to have Haman hung. Haman is executed and Esther emerges a "true Queen and leader." What does all this have to do with becoming a female CEO of a Fortune 500 company? Plenty, according to Glaser and Smalley. Esther's story is chockfull of pearls of business wisdom, such as "always doing your homework," "using body language that says 'I mean business!'" and "focusing on the forest, not the trees." In short, Esther's story is a compendium of tired business cliches held together with a thin veneer of biblical myth. By dwelling on snappy buzzwords and little anecdotes, the authors (who also wrote Swim with the Dolphins) don't emphasize the kind of substantive achievements that are most often required for success: an advanced degree from a respected institution, say, or long experience and a track record in a competitive field. Women can and do succeed in business. However, biographies of highly successful women, such as Katherine Graham or Madeleine Albright, would likely present more sobering and realistic models for success than the ancient story of Esther.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books (May 23, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579546900
• ISBN-13: 978-1579546908
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #951,996 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, yet Practical . . . an Unbeatable Combination!!!, July 20, 2003

By 

Pam Silvers (Asheville, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Queen Esther Knew: Business Stategies from a Biblical Sage (Hardcover)

An ancient whistleblower and hero, Queen Esther provides incredibly valuable strategies for women today. What did Queen Esther know? More than you'd ever believe!

Esther was strategic and understood the importance of mapping out her plan of attack. She was an astute communicator who chose her words carefully and deliberately. She understood the subtleties of "palace protocol" and how to penetrate the inner circles of power. I found it fascinating to discover the contemporary relevance of this ancient tale.

Glaser and Smalley have established themselves as leading authorities on what it takes for women to be successful today. Great "royal" advice. A must read!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect book for study groups or clubs!, February 20, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: What Queen Esther Knew: Business Stategies from a Biblical Sage (Hardcover)

I've known the story of Queen Esther all my life, but Glaser and Smalley opened my eyes to a new level of meaning and relevance. Great leadership advice coupled with extraordinary examples of modern-day Esthers. A book for women in business that's both inspiring and uplifting. A rare find.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great insight for the business woman, July 19, 2004

By 

Springluce (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What Queen Esther Knew: Business Stategies from a Biblical Sage (Hardcover)

This is the most insightful book for business women that I've read. Glaser and Smalley do a fine job parsing the Queen Esther story and applying it to the modern business world. Women in business have to be more subtle about how they advance their careers and Queen Esther is a great example of that. Networking, researching (including gossip!), timing, finding mentors, etc. -- all intertwine to create strategic game plans that women can use to nurture their careers. I liked this book so much that I given away over 30 copies to business women I know.