Much has been written about the glass ceiling women encounter in business, but Carol Gallagher isn't having it. Of the 200 women executives she interviewed for Going to the Top, many had already found "windows" through the ceiling; many others, Gallagher says, will get through eventually. To her, the future looks bright for women in corporations: she notes they earn more than one third of all MBAs and more than 42 percent of law degrees. Women also hold close to half of all managerial and professional jobs. Sure, about 30 percent of those women leave corporate life, but the other 70 percent keep on going. It's for them Gallagher has written this guidebook.

What does it take to make it to the top in today's corporate world? Gallagher shows that the same qualities top male managers have--a desire to win, an ability to learn the complex unwritten rules of an organization, the emulation of role models--are absolutely essential for women, too. One large section of the book debunks female myths of achievement--that a single mentor will lift you to success; that endless networking is productive; that you can't afford to be nice and help others if you want to succeed. "If people trust you--if you can lead, build a team, and get the job done without alienating others--higher-ups will think of you first for promotions," Gallagher writes. The last section of the book presents strategies for juggling marriage, family, and career choices, and there's also a chapter for minority women. But it's chapter 12, "Fifteen Proven Strategies That Will Advance Your Career," that many will undoubtedly read first. Most guys should probably read this chapter, too, because ultimately, Going to the Top demonstrates that competence, leadership, and corporate political savvy are gender neutral. --Lou Schuler


From Publishers Weekly
Along with Linda Austin's What's Holding You Back? (Forecasts, Apr. 3), this book may represent the latest wave of women's career management books: instructions on how to break into the highest echelon of corporate life. Women occupy nearly 50% of managerial and professional roles, yet they account for only 3% of the highest level jobs: CEO, chairman, president, other top positions. While Austin's book looks at the glass ceiling from a psychological viewpoint, here consultant Gallagher supplies true-life experiences of 200 women from Fortune 1000 companies, such as American Airlines, American Express, Dow Jones and Wells Fargo Bank. She describes the factors that were critical to her subjects' success and offers practical and strategic advice for other high potential women, along with many brief stories and comments from interviewees. Among other points, Gallagher encourages the reader to take responsibility for profits and losses and to form alliances instead of networking. Gallagher also offers some tools for self-assessment and ideas for developing what she calls the CORE qualities: competence (the sum of experience, skills, talent); outcomes (the ability to demonstrate results); relationship management, within the company and with customers, suppliers and the community; and endurance. Gallagher's interviewees come off as smart, tenacious and extremely self-aware; many corporate women will welcome their rarefied perspective and solid advice. Agent, Bob Tabian; 10-city author tour. (May) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Women make up 35 percent of MBAs and 42 percent of new lawyers, but almost a third of them will drop out of the climb to the top of corporate America. Aimed at the next generation of potential female executives, this book is filled with insight from 200 women in the top ranks of Fortune 1000 companies. The advice is direct, strong, and supportive, without cheerleading or being cloying. According to Gallagher, a senior principal at American Management Systems, the glass ceiling is real but it can be penetrated; courage and support are required elements for success. The obligatory lists are included: e.g., six strategies to improve your career and the characteristics that influence a woman's career (competence, outcomes, relationships, and endurance). Some of the discussion takes into account marriage and parenting choices. The authors recommend avoiding a single mentor, in case one falls out of favor or leaves the company; partnering with men to succeed; and not expecting female executives who have made it to go overboard in smoothing the way for you. Share information, take risks, and, as Carlene Ellis of Intel advises, "If you don't like your job, either start liking it or change." I'm giving this book to my college-senior daughter. It should be in academic and public library collections.-Susan DiMattia, "Library Journal" Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The face of today's corporate world is changing. For the first time in history, women are poised to take on the leadership roles in their companies. In Going to the Top, leadership development expert Carol Gallagher reveals the lessons learned from her research with more than 200 women who have made it within two steps of CEO at America's Fortune 1000 companies. These women know what works -- and what doesn't.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Along with Linda Austin's What's Holding You Back? (Forecasts, Apr. 3), this book may represent the latest wave of women's career management books: instructions on how to break into the highest echelon of corporate life. Women occupy nearly 50% of managerial and professional roles, yet they account for only 3% of the highest level jobs: CEO, chairman, president, other top positions. While Austin's book looks at the glass ceiling from a psychological viewpoint, here consultant Gallagher supplies true-life experiences of 200 women from Fortune 1000 companies, such as American Airlines, American Express, Dow Jones and Wells Fargo Bank. She describes the factors that were critical to her subjects' success and offers practical and strategic advice for other high potential women, along with many brief stories and comments from interviewees. Among other points, Gallagher encourages the reader to take responsibility for profits and losses and to form alliances instead of networking. Gallagher also offers some tools for self-assessment and ideas for developing what she calls the CORE qualities: competence (the sum of experience, skills, talent); outcomes (the ability to demonstrate results); relationship management, within the company and with customers, suppliers and the community; and endurance. Gallagher's interviewees come off as smart, tenacious and extremely self-aware; many corporate women will welcome their rarefied perspective and solid advice. Agent, Bob Tabian; 10-city author tour. (May) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

Library Journal

Women make up 35 percent of MBAs and 42 percent of new lawyers, but almost a third of them will drop out of the climb to the top of corporate America. Aimed at the next generation of potential female executives, this book is filled with insight from 200 women in the top ranks of Fortune 1000 companies. The advice is direct, strong, and supportive, without cheerleading or being cloying. According to Gallagher, a senior principal at American Management Systems, the glass ceiling is real but it can be penetrated; courage and support are required elements for success. The obligatory lists are included: e.g., six strategies to improve your career and the characteristics that influence a woman's career (competence, outcomes, relationships, and endurance). Some of the discussion takes into account marriage and parenting choices. The authors recommend avoiding a single mentor, in case one falls out of favor or leaves the company; partnering with men to succeed; and not expecting female executives who have made it to go overboard in smoothing the way for you. Share information, take risks, and, as Carlene Ellis of Intel advises, "If you don't like your job, either start liking it or change." I'm giving this book to my college-senior daughter. It should be in academic and public library collections.--Susan DiMattia, "Library Journal" Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Going to the Top is an original. The research is thorough. The conclusions are often counter-intuitive, but always on the mark. I highly reccomend this book to women - and men - who are determined to make a difference in their organizations. — Tom Peters

AUTHOR DESCRIPTION