I'd Rather Be in Charge: A Legendary Business Leader's Roadmap for Achieving Pride, Power, and Joy at Work

by Charlotte Beers Narrated by Heather Henderson

Overview

Throughout her illustrious career, Charlotte Beers has been a CEO, a chairman, an undersecretary of state, and the first woman to appear on the cover of Fortune magazine. But none of those titles compare to what Charlotte is called today: a teacher, educating women across the United States and Europe on how to break the glass ceiling in what she calls “the era of forging ahead for women.”

Now, Charlotte shares her extensive knowledge and experience in I'd Rather Be in Charge, detailing concrete solutions to the most serious issue facing working women today: though exceptionally qualified, willing, and ready for the challenge, many are not yet in positions of influence and leadership in the industries they represent.

Told in an intimate and honest style, I'd Rather Be in Charge is part personal history, part pragmatic guide, as Charlotte describes her own experiences, stories from her students, and lessons from her peers. By chronicling both successes and mistakes, Charlotte illustrates the universal message that finding your own personal style of leadership is the only way to take charge and find meaning and joy in the ever-evolving workplace of today.

I'd Rather Be in Charge is a breakthrough book, a master class for women who are ready to learn how to shatter the glass ceiling, reach the corner office, and-above all-develop their highest self in the workplace and beyond.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Former Ogilvy & Mather CEO and undersecretary of state Beers distills her considerable knowledge to help women lead, inspire, and influence others. She urges women to change how they view themselves at work and change the perception of those around them in order to make their potential apparent. To do this, women should understand that men work differently, and that the expectations placed on women in the workplace go beyond being able to run the show. Beers strongly advocates getting to know yourself so that taking charge is inevitable, and offers five questions to clarify your true nature. Along the way, Beers shares constructive and cautionary stories that illustrate positive, as well as negative, interactions and behavior. While she provides worthwhile advice throughout, her most valuable counsel is on the double-edged sword of communication and knowing when to take the lead. A role model and champion to all women who want to make the most of their careers, Beers offers useful guidance on how to seize opportunities, be influential, and shape events. Agent: Jan Miller, Dupree Miller Literary Agency. (Feb.)

From the Publisher

“Charlotte is the greatest master of knowledge I have ever met. This book will help working women remove their self-imposed blocks and become as great as they are meant to be.”
—Suze Orman, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Charlotte Beers is: Captivating. Persuasive. Charming. Disarming. Eloquent. Substantive. Successful. Modest. Strategic. Capable. Determined. Convincing. Enough said. Read this book to learn how to be in charge.”
—Martha Stewart, New York Times bestselling author

"A role model and champion to all women who want to make the most of their careers, Beers offers useful guidance on how to seize opportunities, be influential, and shape events."
—Publishers Weekly

“Reading I’d Rather Be in Charge, I found myself reflecting on my own way of teaching and leading. Charlotte candidly shares with us how she found her own unique path to influence in her exceptional journey in Corporate America and gives us precious advice on how to find ours. I will draw on some of her lessons in my Power and Influence class this season.” 
—Julie Battilana, Associate Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School 

“Charlotte Beers goes straight for the jugular with tales from her meteoric career in advertising. But her true gift is ultimately the ability to teach us all how to be both memorable and persuasive in our own communications. A must read that combines wit and wisdom in equal measure.”
—Ted Bell, New York Times bestselling author

"The book is a great read. I found it to be very inspirational, even for someone who has been at this business for as long as I have.  I think all women, at any point in their work life journey, will experience a transformational epiphany by reading and engaging in the challenges Charlotte Beers puts forth in I'd Rather Be In Charge."
—Mary Baglivo, CEO New York and Chairman & CEO Americas, Saatchi and Saatchi
 

Library Journal

At first former undersecretary of state and advertising executive Beers's leadership manual seems to tread familiar ground: women have different management strengths from men and must be aware of how prevailing gender stereotypes affect them and others and how their personality affects their work. The first half of the book covers these points and more, and suggests women assess themselves with specific questions to understand their own leadership styles. In the book's second half, Beers breaks a little new ground. Relying less on anecdotes drawn from her management seminars, she gets to the crux of the matter of business leadership—a nice touch, as she advocates the same directness in the workplace—and offers strategies for managing relationships, crafting communications, and presenting with pizzazz. There are good suggestions here, such as resisting the urge to overexplain and creating messages aimed squarely to provoke desired responses. VERDICT Despite the generic subtitle, many professional women will find a great deal of practical wisdom in Beers's experiences and suggestions.—Sarah Statz Cords, The Reader's Advisor Online

Kirkus Reviews

A celebrated advertising executive shares her insights on women and leadership. Beers looks back at her mistakes and successes as an executive and CEO for some of the world's most powerful advertising companies, as well as stories from participants in her women's leadership workshops. In the first part of the book, the author guides readers through several exercises designed to give them greater insight into the way their family history and personal qualities influence their behavior at work. Some of the exercises consist of thought questions that readers can easily answer at home. Others, including one exercise that asks readers to conduct "market research" on themselves, demand more effort and would make more sense in the context of a workshop. In the second half of the book, Beers gives readers concrete advice on navigating the work world; though it references the exercises given in the first part, it could be read on its own. The chapter on effective presentations is especially illuminating. Late in the book, Beers splits workers into three categories: doers, managers and leaders. The author's advice will be most helpful for managers who want to become leaders; there is relatively little information on beginning or resuming a career or making the leap into management. Refreshingly, Beers avoids hand wringing about the "mommy track" or work/family balance. The author assumes that readers are interested in career success and focuses solely on methods by which to achieve it. A straightforward guide showing successful women how to reach the next step in their careers.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169603194
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication date:	01/31/2012
Edition description:	Unabridged

Videos