14 Clever Feminist Books To Read For Women In The Business World

Modern history is rife with stories of how newly arrived and already established women alike fell when landing a new job or arriving at a superior position. How envy, criticism, gossip, and outright undermining and challenging of authority took place rapidly and surreptitiously between her and her peers.

All of this is certainly rooted in a sexist assumption that women are ill-equipped to take on the risk and difficulties inherent to business. A persistent error that remains common despite the ever-increasing number of successful female entrepreneurs.

But such is life, there’s no running away from this battle and your only option is to emerge triumphant if you ever hope to remain competent. Don’t be afraid, because we are certainly not going to let you go into battle alone. Equip yourself with the best feminist books for women in business that show you precisely how to conquer the common pitfalls the patriarchy sets against you on your quest to feminine victory. Brave on!

#1 The Feminine Revolution by Amy Stanton and Catherine Connors

Feminine traits that were once disparaged as weaknesses–such as sensitivity, intuition, and feeling emotional–are reclaimed as powerful strengths that can be embraced as the keys to a happier life for everyone. The Feminine Revolution revisits those characteristics to show how they are powerful assets that should be embraced rather than maligned. It argues that feminine traits have been mischaracterized as weak, fragile, diminutive, and embittered for too long, and offers a call to arms to redeem them as the superpowers and gifts that they are.

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#2 How to Be Successful without Hurting Men’s Feelings by Sarah Cooper

It is a satirical view on the sexist cultures that are prevalent in today’s business, and sometimes we need a little dark humor. The sexism and harassment I have received in business have empowered me to create my own business that represents my values and that won’t tolerate that behavior, and Sarah Cooper’s book just lifts my spirits and motivates me to keep kicking butt.

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#3 Just a Girl: Growing Up Female and Ambitious by Lucinda Jackson

In Just a Girl, Jackson gives readers a window into the commonplace sexist battles taking place in both the business and science communities across the country. Not only does the book uncover the ugly details of all types of sexism in the workplace, but it’s also a call to be a part of the solution to the cycle of sexual harassment in corporate America. The author’s near decade in academia and over forty years of experience with Fortune 500 Companies informs her ability to speak expertly on the changes that need to made that will lead to brighter futures for women everywhere.

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#4 Reset: My Fight for Inclusion and Lasting Change by Ellen Pao

This memoir by tech investor and activist Ellen Pao details her experience of gender discrimination in Silicon Valley. This is a must-read for any career-driven woman about the difficulties faced and strategies to overcome those obstacles. Unless some other books on the market, this book doesn’t oversimplify by suggesting simple solutions.

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#5 Alpha Bitch to Enchantress by Suki Sohn

Suki Sohn is a feminine leadership and relationship coach, author, and intuitive healer. Her passion is empowering women to embrace their divine femininity to create a new paradigm for feminine leadership. In her follow up best-selling book, Alpha Bitch to Enchantress: A Path to Awaken Your Feminine Superpowers, Suki brings a holistic view of leadership for a woman. When women claim power through a competitive “eat what you kill” approach, ultimately it takes a toll on their intimate relationships and physical well-being. Learn how to create an entirely new paradigm of personal leadership and shift your romantic relationships by embracing and cultivating your natural feminine edge. This way you can continue to thrive at work and magnetize the love you desire.

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#6 WOLFPACK: How to Come Together, Unleash Our Power, and Change the Game by Abby Wambach

Building off her viral commencement address for Barnard College, it’s a primer of 8 ways old rules about how to behave as a leader should change. It’s a quick read at only 112 pages and yet extremely engaging. It gives practical advice, makes you reframe your thinking about leadership, and is peppered with personal examples from Abby’s life that make the application more real. Modern work life can sometimes pit women against women, and this whole book is a rally cry to bring women together and make enough room for everyone to succeed and prosper.

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#7 My Value or My Values – Rebirth of a Fallen Company by Heather E. Robertson

If you want to read business books that tell you what to do – how to create a better business – how to avoid the pitfalls – don’t read any of the Strategies to Go…Strategies to go … like coffee to go… are designed as stories you can take-away, read on the go, and draw your own conclusions based on what will work best for you and your business. They tell it like it is – what really happens in business – allowing you to learn the lessons that fit your needs and the strategic needs of your business. Based on the lives and businesses of real people the characters are based on a composite of heroes and villains I have worked with. You will share their frustrations and anger, the exuberance of their success and their pain of losing, and most of all you will learn from their experiences.

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#8 My Value or My Values – Redeeming Customers’ Trust by Heather E Robertson

Heather Robertson has worked in many areas of business in New Zealand and overseas, establishing an advisory business 22 years ago with a unique contributory philosophy which includes involving clients in assisting each other in an environment of shared experiential learning. For 10 years she has run a no-charge monthly programme for selected business leaders recognising that it’s lonely at the top – and providing them with a confidential environment to assist each other and address key issues in their companies.

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#9 Bruce King and I by Sofia Edlund

Are you looking to start your own business? Are you hoping to make your own money on your own terms but don’t know where to begin? Are you struggling to find a jumping-off point for your independent career? Sofia Edlund knows exactly what you’re going through-she was in the same position herself, not too long ago. But now, she has a successful business and the expertise to share for all potential start-ups. Within this book, you will find advice on setting up sales, running a business website, using online and offline marketing to your best advantage, and all the tools you need to be confident in setting up your very own business.

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#10 Get It Done: 31 Ways to Release Your Inner Boss by Hayley Hobson

Are you willing to take risks and support yourself and your family like never before? If so, then Get It Done by renowned speaker, life coach, and author Hayley Hobson is the last self-guide book you’ll ever need. Moving away from mainstream mediocrity to live an exciting and fulfilling life sounds like an amazing promise―and this book will help motivate you to make it come true. In Get It Done, Hayley Hobson teaches you the secret that lies between a holistic heart and passion with an attitude. Each chapter points out areas of life that can be chaotic, and then gives you the secret to overcoming the noise. Hobson shares personal fixes you can apply immediately as you go from madness to mindfulness. From time management and organization to prioritizing and task management, Get It Done illustrates specific scenarios and personal life stories that detail what things look like when they are out of balance. Emphasizing your need to take action, Hayley follows up with plans ready for you to implement. No more excuses. It’s Time to Get It Done!

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#11 The Feminist Financial Handbook: A Modern Women’s Guide to a Wealthy Life by Brynne Conroy

Sometimes the best way to stick it to the man is by doing well for yourself. There’s just one problem: it’s hard to do well for yourself when systemic oppression has placed innumerable hurdles between you and your aspirations. The Feminist Financial Handbook provides real motivation and resources for real women who may be struggling―not only those who have already accumulated wealth. In this book, author Brynne Conroy provides actionable tips for women in business to overcome these obstacles without dulling the visceral experience of the real-life struggles women face as they try to master their money management and their lives. Because women’s experiences don’t exist in a vacuum relegated to their gender, the handbook explores financial issues with anecdotes and perspectives of women of different races, sexual orientations and abilities. Whether you want to learn more about general financial planning principles, like saving or earning a higher income, or delve into issues that disproportionately affect women, like the wage gap or the long road to economic recovery after experiencing domestic violence, The Feminist Financial Handbook has stories and advice from women who have been there, worked through the struggle, and achieved personal success.

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#12 Wishwork: Make a Wish, Do the Work, and Watch it Come True: A 21 Day Journey by Alexa Fischer

What is your greatest wish? Do you want a new job? An influx of new clients? Zero credit card debt? A strong, healthy body? A passionate, exciting marriage? More free-time to relax in your backyard with a glass of Rosé? You don’t need a miracle to make your wish a reality. With Wishwork, you will visualize your #1 wish, write it down, focus on it, and take action for 21 days in a row to make your wish come true. Alexa Fischer is your guide on this 21-day journey. You’ll complete simple daily action steps and record your experiences, feeling your positivity and optimism grow with each passing day. Wishwork gently reminds readers that wishes don’t just magically come true without any effort whatsoever–you’ve got to put in some work! Wishwork will motivate you to get off the couch, turn off Netflix, get moving, cultivate a positive mindset, and make your #1 wish come true–while keeping the process fun and uplifting, not daunting. Life’s too short to wait on the universe to grant your wishes. Alexa will walk you through three simple but life changing steps to grant them yourself: Make a wish. Do the work. Watch it come true.

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#13 Burning Woman by Lucy H Pearce

Lucy H. Pearce confronts why it sometimes feels so terrifying for women to be seen. Throughout history, women who were in tune with their bodies and spoke against the cultural norms were killed or isolated. She speaks about how women’s obsession with thinness was manufactured as a way to keep women distracted from their real work in the world.

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#14 The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte

Damn! If you want to create room in your life and business for magic, read this book. Danielle LaPorte goes in deep, soul-deep to uncover what really matters to you. You’ll burn down your excuses for NOT taking the next big action in your business.

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