Leadership and the Sexes: Using Gender Science to Create Success in Business (J-B US non-Franchise Leadership) (Hardcover)

by Michael Gurian (Author), Barbara Annis (Author)
Key Phrases: female talent, gender intelligent, women lead differently, Helping Women, Helping Men, Understanding the Science of Gender (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Using a hefty helping of neurobiology, corporate moguls Gurian and Annis illustrate how brain chemistry influences gender and how gender in turn powerfully affects every aspect of workplace behavior. The authors contend that corporations attentive to gender and behavior can enhance their performance, competitive edge and bottom line. The authors discuss how men and women wield leadership, bond, regard and execute authority and approach management and conflict resolution skills—applying their findings on male/female brain differences to account for the variations in behavior. Though they tackle the big questions—for instance, do women have to become men to get ahead?—they are at their best when at their most practical, using step-by-step instructions, exercises and simply worded GenderTools to teach men and women to understand each other in meetings and on the golf course. Though a front-loaded density of neuroscience may deter the casual browser, readers with a genuine interest and a desire to improve workplace gender relations will do well with this pragmatic and well-intentioned guide. (Aug.)
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From Booklist
Consultants Gurian (brain science specialist) and Annis (specialist in workplace gender issues) bring together theory and practical ideas for corporations seeking new understanding of men and women in the workplace. In part 1, we learn about the science of the brain; while equally intelligent, men and women do show differences in brains, and as a result, men and women function differently. Part 2 uses specific tools for integrating gender into the workplace, including improving negotiating, communication, and conflict-resolution skills for both men and women as they work together. Part 3 evaluates how a company balances its male and female leaders, noting that attention to gender issues positively impacts financial results and leads to human capital gains. This is not a difficult book to read, and the effective use of case studies, scientific studies, and exercises provides thoughtful insight into the ongoing challenges of gender issues in corporations. This excellent book will appeal to a wide range of library patrons. --Mary Whaley

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass (August 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078799703X
• ISBN-13: 978-0787997038
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #265,695 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Corps, Orgs and Execs Will Lose If Don't Read , September 7, 2008

By	Kevin - See all my reviews

Gender has become such an important topic in companies and organizations that senior leaders and line executives will lose effectiveness if they don't have the latest scientific brain research straightforwardly described in this book.

Most valuable, this book also includes some practical, easy to use tools and approaches that I applied in my work (and home) -- immediately.

From Michael Gurian we finally have a serious, business-oriented, fact-based, value/politics free knowledgebase and resources for moving to the next generation of gender effectiveness and mobilizing the special skills and capabilities of women and men.

So much of the current "gender diversity" approaches and rhetoric, presentations and training programs are based on feel-good ideology and anecdotes. For example, trying to make guys more like women or women less "aggressive." I've been involved in a lot of these and everybody's eyes just glaze over now.

I've been buying this book for my friends and it has made a difference in their work right away.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Important Business Book Of The Decade, August 25, 2008

By	Reader from Long Island "lba7370" (New York) - See all my reviews

Oh, how this book has already changed the way we do business -- from listening to clients to negotiating with potential clients -- we have embraced and incorporated the many lessons Michael Gurian and Barbara Annis have to teach (we were extremely lucky to get an advance reading copy so have a two month jump on our competition). Michael's parenting books have always described my son, and helped me so tremendously with his learning issues. But this crossover into the corporate world is pure genius. From every budding entrepreneur to every CEO, from the smallest local businesses to the largest global conglomerate, every one in business needs to read this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful information, September 18, 2008

By	Abigail Adams (Spokane, WA) - See all my reviews

This book was a great help to me in changing some things I do at work with colleagues; things run smoother and the job is more satisfying now.