Book Title: women and leadership: Real Life, Real Lessons
Author: Julia Gillard & Ngozi Okonjo Iweala
Publisher: Transworld
Year of Publication: 2020
Number of Pages: 326
Category: Leadership
In many spheres of human existence, women across the world have been known to stand out as effective leaders. Yet they continue to be greatly outnumbered in decision-making in businesses and politics.
Being a female leader in largely patriarchal societies is riddled with challenges – some of which can be said to be the most impinging. In their book, Women and Leadership, Australia’s first woman Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala highlight eight of these important issues essential to women who aspire to be leaders.
Frontal about the gender inequality problems confronting women, the book reels out some shocking and unsettling statistics about women in leadership, gender barriers and makes a call to action for equality in leadership, regardless of gender.
This inspiring book poses an important question – Why are few women under-represented at the top levels of politics? Gillard and Okonjo-Iweala use research findings, questions and tests eight hypotheses on some high-profile women leaders across the world.
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Eight engaging stories about eight top women authenticate the book’s priceless worth: Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand; Hillary Clinton, former US presidential candidate and secretary of state; Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia; Theresa May, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile; Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi; Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway; and Christine Lagarde, French Politician and President of the European Central Bank. The women share the biggest challenges they faced or are currently facing in power.
Within its pages, conversations are started with the women about family management and work life, networking, appearance, sexism and more. Ultimately, Gillard and Okonjo-Iweala offer some general insights on achieving equality in leadership based on their wide experience in political and economic leadership as well as various non-for profits.
The women share some amusing stories and funny remarks about how women leaders are judged for their reproductive choices by the media and how some men are misinformed. Good news: It is not a book of lamentations – the authors proffer solutions.
It is important to keep in mind that the fight over sexism isn’t going away anytime soon and reminding yourself why you want to be a leader, and motivating women to realise their full potentials.
The standout lesson for me from the book: ‘Be aware, not beware.’ The book encourages readers not to be discouraged in taking leadership positions. Done with tact, the authors admit to not having all the answers, but they emphasise that they want to inspire women to pursue politics and other leadership opporunities.
Women and Leadership is an enjoyable and useful text for women considering a future in political or business leadership.
About the reviewer
Titilade Oyemade is a business executive in a leading organisation and holds a degree in Russian Language. She’s the convener of the Hangoutwithtee Ladies event and publisher of Hangoutwithtee magazine. She spends her weekends attending women conferences, events and book readings. She loves to have fun and help other women have the same in their lives. Email: [email protected] Social: @tiipree
