The Courage To Advance: Real life resilience from the world's most successful women in business

by Bonnie Hagemann, Lisa Pent, The WomenExecs on Boards

Overview

A powerful collection of 36 stories about how the world's most successful women have overcome some of life's biggest challenges to reach the top of their professions. This is a book written for every current and aspiring leader,
revealing the things that leaders rarely talk about: the behind the scenes struggles.

The women in these stories are powerful,
internationally diverse, and have impressive leadership accomplishments. They were brought together through one unifying experience: they have all completed the Harvard Business School Women on Boards Program,
a course that has turned into a movement. Today there are over 190 members of the WomenExecs on Boards network,
from 23 countries. This is the network where organizations go to find educated,
prepared,
qualified, and diverse women for corporate board seats.

After reading this book you will be inspired to lead and make a difference for others whether it's running a company or leading a division,
team,
project,
community event or your family and home. You will discover that you already have all you need to succeed when it gets hard,
to never give up,
and how to keep going through life's difficult and sometimes terrible challenges. These women want you to know that you are not alone,
and that you can lean on the strength of those who have gone before you,
keep leading and keep getting back up again and again.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781529368994
Publisher:	Mobius
Publication date:	10/19/2021
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	1,069,036
Product dimensions:	9.40(w) x 5.80(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	10 - 18 Years

About the Author

Bonnie Hagemann (Author)
Bonnie Hagemann is the CEO of EDA, Inc. formerly known as Executive Development Associates. EDA is a progressive firm using its HR/Culture Tech platform and it 37-year history of top-of-the-house executive development to create compelling cultures and advance the strategy of the companies we serve.

Lisa Pent (Author)
Lisa Pent is a financially literate FTSE 100 senior executive fluent in the worlds of Business Development,
Finance,
Governance,
Strategy,
Transformation,
Innovation,
and Digital Transformation. Lisa sits on the board of the Wall Street Women's Alliance and was in the inaugural Class of Harvard Business School's Executive Education - Women on Boards: Succeeding as a Corporate Director program.

WomenExecs on Boards is a global network of Women Prepared for Board Service at Harvard Business School with over 190 members from 23 countries.  They are deeply committed to one another’s success and are working together systematically to advance the state of gender equality in corporate governance and senior executive positions.
 
 

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xiii

Dedication xv

Foreword xvii

Preface: Leadership Gets Real xix

Chapter 1 Courage

Surviving and Leading Through Extreme Circumstances: Saniye Gülser Corat 3

Everything on the Line: Virginia Parker 9

Facing Down Imposter Syndrome: Maria del Carmen Garcia Nielsen 14

Blindsided by Voters: Heidi Zuckerman 18

Grace Under Fire: Chris Cheesman 22

Standing Up, Walking Out: Suzanna de Baca 27

Breaking Stereotypes: Judy Lee 32

Chapter 2 Resiliency

Surviving Downturns: Bonnie Hagemann 40

Owning and Addressing Product Launch Failure: Ainslie Simmonds 45

A New Job with a Newborn: Christine Fellowes 49

Losing Balance, Finding Joy: Emmanuelle Mace-Driskill 54

Taking on the Establishment: Rebecca (Riv) Goldman 59

The Art of the Pivot: Joanna Dodd Massey 65

Make Your Own Rules to Avoid Burnout: Annabelle Vultee 70

Chapter 3 Adaptability

Making Your Voice Heard Over Culture Shock and Discrimination: Shing Pan 79

Managing Through Gender Bias: Lisa Pent 84

Picking Up the Mantle: Roberta Sydney 89

Pivots and Priorities: Valerie Robert 94

Leaving Good, Pursuing Great: Patricia Hurler 99

Disrupting Sameness: Laura Kiernan 104

Getting Enough and Making Changes: Gisella Benavente 108

Chapter 4 Sensemaking

Learning Awareness: Cynthia (Cinny) Murray 117

Overcoming Unfairness: Rosie Bichard 123

From Setback to Success: Dorlisa Flur 128

Learning to Manage Difficult People: Sonja Vodusek 134

Facing Giants and Coming Out Stronger: Jeanine Charlton 138

Standing Up for What's Right: Elaine Dorward-King 143

Finding Fit: Arti Singh 149

Bouncing Back from Betrayal: Nicole Parent Haughey 154

Chapter 5 Vulnerability

Finding Good in the Deepest Pain: Iram Shah 162

Brave Leaps and a Need for Help: Bhavani Amirthalingam 168

From Deepest Pain to Highest Purpose: Jocelyn Martin-Leano 173

Finding Order in Chaos: Hana'a AlSyead 177

Laying Down a High-Level Position for the Love of Another: Patricia Fortier 181

Overcoming Cancer: Patricia Rodriguez Christian 187

Say Yes. Keep Living.: Lynda Bourque Moss 191

Conclusion 197

Editorial Reviews

"As I read the many stories so artfully captured in the Courage to Advance, I could not help but think of my own mothers struggle to succeed as Physician in a Navy town in the late 1960s. Like so many of the leaders profiled in this book, she persevered through countless challenges and setbacks and paved the way for future generations of leaders in the process. One cannot help but be inspired by the courage, humility, and tenacity of the special Women profiled in these stories."  —Christian Brickman, CEO, Sally Beauty Holdings, SBH (NYSE:SBH)

“Women’s empowerment is the single biggest opportunity of the 21st century. Read this book and be inspired by the courageous stories of those who are re-writing the rules of leadership.”—Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever plc UL (NYSE: UL), Co-founder and Chair of IMAGINE, a social venture accelerating business leadership to achieve the Global Goals

"It's often through hearing the stories of others that we come to the best moments of clarity in our own. Women leaders are courageous, resilient, fully capable of making sense and success of the world around them. We adapt, and we also lead change. All, with grace, humility, and vulnerability. In this book are thirty-six stories of proof."—Coco Brown, Founder & CEO, Athena Alliance, Inc., a digital platform for community, learning and access to opportunity for the top women in business

"Courage to Advance is an easy read because it keeps you engaged through the very personal and different  stories which are short but powerful. It will inspire you to never give up and to achieve your wildest dreams despite the many obstacles along the way. You will take ownership and achieve more than you could have ever imagined!"—Dimitri Panayotopoulos, Board Director and former vice chairman of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG)

"Finally! A book so validating, so encouraging, that it feels as though I sat through years of life, career, and business lessons from successful mentors willing to bare it all to pave a path just for me.  If you are ready for your head to be full of ideas, your heart running over, and your insides raring to go - The Courage to Advance is for you!"—Nanette Harrell, Independent Fractional Chief Information Officer & former Transportation Executive, at Faneuil, Inc., Savi Tech & GE (NYSE: GE)

“It’s through the power of storytelling that we are motivated and inspired. Here are the stories of some of our top women leaders. The stories contain big lessons in bite-size pieces. Many have a 'hard knocks' quality because they are genuine and unsparing. They show courage, resiliency, adaptability, sense-making, and vulnerability at work. Bonnie Hagemann and colleagues have produced a volume that will have a wide following. The volume should be on the top of your desk, the lessons very much top of mind.”—Andrew R. Hoehn, Senior Vice President, RAND Corporation, an American nonprofit global policy think tank

"Through telling the stories of these courageous leaders, we reveal the path for others. Sharing the wisdom from experiences that led these women to step fully into the light of their success, is a gift to the reader and a roadmap for stepping into one's own power and potential." —Rebekah E. Dopp, Founder & Chair of Exponent, a Global Gender Accelerator

"There is an old adage that 'anything that matters in life is worth fighting for' and Hagemann, Pent and their amazing contributing Board members provide some remarkably elegant advise on how women have overcome societies innate obstacles to achieving their full potential in leadership without selling out on family and work-life balance.  This book really helps our world on a path to gender neutral leadership. The stories told will give you courage, inspiration and the confidence to help you navigate the rocks, stones and jerks in the road."—Chris Perry, President, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: BR)

“There is no single background, style or path to become a successful leader. As seen in The Courage to Advance, one often has to overcome challenging systemic and interpersonal obstacles. Through hard work, clarity of purpose, and perseverance we see examples of women who are making significant, positive impacts on people and organizations. An inspiring read with useful words of wisdom for any leader."—Ken Pasternak, Global Executive Educator, Keynote Speaker, and author of "Performance at the Limit" & “Exploding Turkeys and Spare Trousers: Adventures in Global Business”

"The book offers a compendium of advice from truly accomplished women leaders who shine a light on the executive path to success that often is hidden from sight. Part memoir, part guide to business and part life advice should stick to any serious reader who is looking for a path to succeed on their terms."—Dr. Anita Gupta, Distinguished Physician, Author, FDA Advisor, & Head of Scripps Clinic, MD Anderson Cancer Center

“This book serves as a wonderful reminder that courage takes many forms. And that the women featured are not just capable. They’re  exceptional. If ever there was an assembly of gutsy, talented leaders with inspiring stories, this is it!” —Jordan Rich, WBZ Radio Boston, Host of “On Mic with Jordan Rich” podcast, Author of “On-Air: My Fifty Year Love Affair with Radio"

"A great collection of strong powerful and yet easy-to-read stories from women leading the business to the place it belongs. One of the greatest opportunities for business as infinite game is to have women empowered and this book illustrates such great examples of successful women that said no to the word “giving up”. Value and beliefs are the main stimulants of a quality leadership and this book demonstrates in a humble way through real-life examples how these two factors can help achieving business goals but also contribute to a better world."   —Ali Ahmadian, CEO, Heliospectra (OTCMKTS: HLSPY)

"The Courage to Advance is a powerful reminder of the human behind the mask. Every day, we step out of our houses and onto the stage of life, showing the world our best selves, hoping they don't see the flaws ever-present in our minds and private lives. But it is these so-called flaws and struggles that add color to our experiences and ultimately teach us to be resilient, determined, and successful. The courage demonstrated in the stories of these exceptional women serve as a reminder to us all to aim for the stars, even in the face of adversity."     —Dr. JJ Walcutt, Scientist, Author and CEO of Clay Strategic Designs, former Director of Innovation at the US Dept. of Defense and former US Democratic Presidential candidate

“The book presents a moving account of the courage and resilience of these strong women leaders from all walks of life. It is interesting how Hagemann and Pent use vulnerability as a means of inspiring strength in the reader. These poignant portraits will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.”—Charlotte Dennery, CEO, BNP Paribas Personal Finance, a global Consumer Finance company of 22000 FTE, and member of the Executive Committee of the BNP Paribas Group

“Women all over the world have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, in what may be the biggest set-back for gender equality in our lifetimes. Stories like these, brilliantly curated by Hagemann and Pent, will be pivotal in galvanizing the next generation of leaders. A must read for every aspiring young woman.”—Carmen Ene, CEO of 3stepIT and BNP Paribas 3 Step IT

"When you read the stories in this book, you can't help but be moved and energized by the words and experiences of these fearless women leaders. This book will call you out, lift you up, and help you thrive in your purpose. A great how-to on leadership for those looking to take things to the next level."—Sherrese Smith, Partner at Paul Hastings and Board Member of Cable One (NYSE: CABO), Norton LifeLock (NASDAQ: NLOK), America's Public Television Stations

“Courage to Advance brings the power of story front and center to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders.”—Shellye Archambeau, Author of UNAPOLOGETICALLY AMBITIOUS and Board Member for Verizon (NYSE: VZ), Nordstrom (NYSE: JWN), and Roper Technologies (NYSE: ROP)

"Hagemann and Pent artfully weave together a narrative of empowerment and resilience in share-your-story format. In the spirit of being ‘judged by the company you keep', those who read this work are keeping very good company." —Cathy Benko, NIKE, Inc. (NYSE: NKE), Board Member and former Vice Chairman, Deloitte LLP

“Some may pass over Courage to Advance simply because its title doesn’t seem to resonate with them personally; they do so at their own peril! What’s evident from the start that these are REAL stories that have the power to immediately draw one in and then inspire and then teach! THAT is a combination to lean in to for growth!”—Julie Laulis, Chair of the Board and CEO of Cable ONE (NYSE: CABO), Board of Directors AES Corporation (NYSE: AES)

"This is a much-needed inspirational multicultural roadmap of how thirty-six stories extraordinary women leaders got to where they are. We need more examples to show to our young girls and emerging leaders of the grit, resilience, and pure creativity women needed when they came up against the expected norms set by their societies and exceeding them. Simply Inspirational. " —Muna AbuSulayman, Social Impact Investor, Philanthropist and Global Equity Board Member & Advisor for Gucci (NYSE: GUC)

From the Publisher