In today's rapidly evolving workplace, women still face many challenges in achieving equality and success, especially in the technology industry. However, the "New Economy" driven by innovative tech companies is breaking many traditional workplace rules, creating new opportunities for women to thrive. In her book "Power Up", Magdalena Yesil presents strategies for women to empower themselves and overcome barriers in this new landscape.
Drawing on her own experiences as a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor, as well as insights from other successful women in tech, Yesil outlines a "power UP" movement to help women realize their full potential. This book summary covers the key ideas and actionable advice from "Power Up" to help women navigate their careers with confidence, overcome obstacles, and achieve their goals in the modern workplace.
Key Ideas
Powering Up Your Career Mindset
To succeed in the fast-paced tech industry and New Economy, Yesil emphasizes developing the right mindset:
Learn from Mistakes
Don't get discouraged by mistakes - use them as opportunities to grow and improve. Yesil shares how she once rejected a job offer from Apple in its early days based on poor advice. Rather than dwelling on this missed opportunity, she used it as motivation to always do thorough research before making career decisions going forward.
Stay Humble
Remain open to feedback and criticism, as this allows you to continually learn and refine your skills. Early in her engineering career, Yesil's chip design was harshly critiqued by her bosses. By staying receptive to their feedback, she was able to address the flaws and dramatically improve her work.
Maintain Confidence
Making career changes often involves risks, but you must remain confident in your decisions to reach your long-term goals. When Marc Benioff left his secure position at Oracle to join the fledgling Salesforce, he projected unwavering confidence to employees and investors about the company's potential. This confidence helped propel Salesforce to massive success.
Gaining Experience Before Launching a Startup
While you may be eager to start your own company, there are several benefits to first working for an established corporation:
Stability and Resources
Established companies offer normal working hours, steady paychecks, and more resources compared to the demanding, resource-constrained environment of most startups.
Intrapreneurship Opportunities
You may be able to explore innovative ideas within a larger company through "intrapreneurship." For example, Debra Rossi at Wells Fargo was able to take a chance on partnering with the then-unknown eBay, which ended up revolutionizing online payments.
Developing Critical Skills
Working at established companies allows you to gain hands-on business skills in areas like marketing, finance, operations, and management. Julie Wainwright credits her time at Clorox and Software Publishing Corporation with giving her the skills needed to later launch her successful startup, The RealReal.
Advocating for Yourself
To advance in your career, you need to actively promote your accomplishments:
Take Ownership of Your Work
Don't assume your excellent work will automatically be recognized. Be prepared to highlight your specific contributions and achievements to your superiors.
Use Concrete Metrics
Compile clear evidence that demonstrates your unique value to the organization. This could include productivity gains, cost savings, or other measurable impacts resulting from your work.
Gather Testimonials
Ask colleagues to email you feedback after presentations or meetings. These written testimonials create a record of your performance that you can reference during negotiations.
Make a Strong Case for Raises/Promotions
Use the evidence you've gathered to confidently make your case when seeking raises or new positions. Be ready to counter any pushback with specific examples of your accomplishments.
Cultivating Gravitas
Developing a serious, dignified demeanor can help you command respect and handle difficult workplace situations:
Project Confidence Through Body Language
Maintain strong, upright posture and make direct eye contact to convey authority.
Dress the Part
Wear clothing that makes you feel powerful and in control. Find your equivalent of Steve Jobs' iconic black turtleneck.
Handle Harassment Effectively
Use gravitas to confidently confront inappropriate behavior. Yesil suggests three approaches:
- Questioning: "What do you mean by that comment?"
- Setting boundaries: "I'm uncomfortable with that and hope you'll respect that."
- Using humor: "Sounds like someone needs a meeting with HR."
Be Assertive Without Fear
Don't be afraid of being labeled "bitchy" for standing up for yourself. It's better to be assertive than to be a passive victim of disrespect or discrimination.
Building a Strong Professional Network
A diverse professional network provides crucial support throughout your career:
Connect with Other Women
Female mentors and peers can offer both professional guidance and emotional support around gender-specific challenges. Heidi Zak of ThirdLove has relied on her mentor Lisa for advice on major decisions from leaving Google to starting her company to having her first child.
Include Male Allies
Having male friends at work can help you feel less isolated in male-dominated environments. They may also have access to opportunities that can benefit your career.
Seek Mentors of Both Genders
While many women gravitate toward female mentors, don't overlook the value of male mentors who may have more senior positions and influence in the organization.
Foster Close Work Friendships
Having close connections at work, regardless of gender, helps keep you engaged and passionate about your job.
Balancing Career and Family
You don't have to choose between a successful career and a fulfilling family life:
Overcome "Mommy Guilt"
Feeling empowered in your career can make you a better role model for your children. The author's mother found new confidence and inspiration for her grandchildren by starting a job at age 63.
Plan for Parental Leave
Before taking leave, create a detailed plan for how your work will be covered. Set goals for staying connected and contributing during leave if you choose to.
Remain Engaged While Away
Consider working on specific projects or goals during leave to demonstrate your ongoing commitment. Stay in touch with at least one colleague to stay informed on office developments.
Be Flexible
With some planning and flexibility, you can excel both as a parent and in your career. Modern parental leave policies make this increasingly feasible.
Rebounding from Job Loss
Whether you quit or are fired, you can use the experience to power up your career:
Make Rational Decisions
Don't quit solely based on emotions. Seek outside perspectives and try to address issues before resorting to quitting.
Use Time Off to Recharge
Take time to reconnect with yourself, explore hobbies, and regain confidence. Julie Wainwright took 10 years off after her company failed, using the time to rediscover her passions before launching The RealReal.
Stay Current
Use your time away to catch up on industry developments and strengthen your professional network.
Find New Inspiration
Time away from work can lead to fresh ideas and opportunities. Wainwright found the concept for her new company while shopping with a friend during her break.
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion
Creating more diverse and inclusive workplaces benefits everyone:
Research Company Culture
When job hunting, ask specific questions about diversity, advancement opportunities, and company policies. Reach out to current female employees if possible.
Use Objective Evaluation Criteria
Studies show using clear, gender-neutral criteria for employee evaluations helps reduce bias and narrow pay gaps between men and women.
Broaden Recruitment
Use diverse recruitment networks and interview at least one qualified woman for each open role.
Invest in Training
Consider training promising diverse candidates to fill talent gaps, as Etsy did to increase its number of female engineers.
Maintain High Standards
Always hire based on qualifications to avoid undermining employees' confidence in their abilities.
Practical Advice for Powering Up
Developing Your Skills and Experience
Seek out challenging projects and responsibilities in your current role to expand your skillset.
Take on leadership roles in professional organizations or community groups to gain management experience.
Pursue continuing education or certifications relevant to your field to stay current.
Volunteer for cross-functional teams or initiatives to broaden your understanding of different aspects of the business.
Start a side project or freelance work to develop entrepreneurial skills.
Building Your Professional Brand
Maintain an up-to-date, professional online presence on platforms like LinkedIn.
Seek out speaking opportunities at industry events or conferences.
Write articles or blog posts to share your expertise and insights.
Mentor junior colleagues or students to establish yourself as a leader in your field.
Cultivate relationships with industry journalists or influencers.
Negotiating Effectively
Research industry standards for compensation and benefits for your role and experience level.
Practice your negotiation pitch with a trusted friend or mentor.
Focus on the value you bring to the company, not just your personal needs.
Consider the full compensation package, including benefits, stock options, and work-life balance perks.
Be prepared to walk away if the offer doesn't meet your requirements.
Managing Work-Life Integration
Set clear boundaries between work and personal time, and communicate these to your colleagues and superiors.
Use technology to enable flexible work arrangements when possible.
Delegate or outsource tasks at home and work to free up time for priorities.
Schedule regular check-ins with family and friends to maintain strong relationships.
Prioritize self-care activities like exercise, meditation, or hobbies to avoid burnout.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Keep a "success journal" to document your achievements and positive feedback.
Reframe negative self-talk into more balanced, realistic assessments.
Seek out a support group of peers facing similar challenges.
Take on stretch assignments to prove your capabilities to yourself.
Remember that even highly successful people experience self-doubt at times.
Navigating Office Politics
Observe the unwritten rules and power dynamics in your workplace.
Build relationships across departments and levels of the organization.
Find ways to make your boss look good while advancing your own goals.
Address conflicts directly and professionally when they arise.
Avoid engaging in gossip or taking sides in office drama.
Advancing Your Career
Regularly reassess your career goals and create action plans to achieve them.
Seek out sponsors who can advocate for your advancement within the organization.
Take calculated risks by pursuing stretch assignments or new roles.
Stay informed about industry trends and emerging opportunities.
Be prepared to change companies or industries if necessary to reach your goals.
Case Studies: Women Who Powered Up
Sheryl Sandberg - COO of Facebook
Sheryl Sandberg's career exemplifies many of the "power up" principles discussed in the book. After gaining valuable experience at the World Bank and Google, she took on the challenge of helping scale Facebook as its COO. Sandberg has been a vocal advocate for women in the workplace, encouraging them to "lean in" and pursue leadership roles.
Key lessons from Sandberg's career:
- Seek out mentors and sponsors (like Larry Summers early in her career)
- Take risks on new opportunities (joining Google when it was still a small company)
- Use your platform to advocate for others (through her books and non-profit organization)
- Balance career success with family life (she's open about leaving work at a reasonable hour to have dinner with her children)
Ursula Burns - Former CEO of Xerox
Ursula Burns made history as the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company when she became CEO of Xerox in 2009. She started as an intern at the company and worked her way up over three decades.
Key lessons from Burns' career:
- Develop deep expertise in your field (she has a master's degree in mechanical engineering)
- Build a strong network within your organization
- Be willing to take on challenging assignments (she led Xerox's transition from a copier company to a technology and services business)
- Advocate for diversity and inclusion at all levels of the organization
Susan Wojcicki - CEO of YouTube
Susan Wojcicki was Google's 16th employee and played a crucial role in the company's growth before becoming CEO of YouTube (a Google subsidiary) in 2014.
Key lessons from Wojcicki's career:
- Recognize and act on promising opportunities (she advocated for Google's acquisition of YouTube)
- Balance technical skills with business acumen (she has degrees in history, literature, and business)
- Champion work-life balance (she's been open about taking maternity leave for each of her five children)
- Promote diversity in tech (she's been a strong advocate for increasing the number of women in the industry)
Ginni Rometty - Former CEO of IBM
Ginni Rometty rose through the ranks at IBM over three decades before becoming its first female CEO in 2012. She led the company through a major transformation, shifting its focus to cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
Key lessons from Rometty's career:
- Continuously reinvent yourself and your skills
- Take on challenging, high-visibility projects
- Build a strong personal brand within your organization
- Be willing to make tough decisions for the long-term health of the company
Mary Barra - CEO of General Motors
Mary Barra became the first female CEO of a major global automaker when she took the helm at GM in 2014. She started at the company as a co-op student at age 18 and worked her way up through various engineering and administrative positions.
Key lessons from Barra's career:
- Gain broad experience across different areas of the business
- Lead by example (she's known for her straightforward communication style)
- Navigate crises effectively (she led GM through a major recall scandal early in her tenure as CEO)
- Drive innovation in a traditional industry (pushing GM towards electric and autonomous vehicles)
Challenges and Criticisms of the "Power Up" Approach
While the strategies outlined in "Power Up" have proven successful for many women, it's important to acknowledge some potential challenges and criticisms:
Individual vs. Systemic Change
Some argue that focusing on individual women "powering up" places too much burden on women to change themselves rather than addressing systemic issues of sexism and discrimination in the workplace.
Intersectionality
The experiences and challenges faced by women of color, LGBTQ+ women, and women with disabilities may not be fully captured by general advice aimed at all women.
Work-Life Balance Pressures
The emphasis on high achievement and constant career advancement may contribute to burnout and unrealistic expectations, particularly for women who are also primary caregivers.
Reinforcing Gender Stereotypes
Some of the advice on developing gravitas or navigating office politics may inadvertently reinforce gendered expectations of how women should behave in professional settings.
Limited Applicability
The strategies presented may be most relevant to women in corporate or tech environments and may not translate as well to other industries or career paths.
The Future of Women in the New Economy
As the workplace continues to evolve, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, new opportunities and challenges are emerging for women seeking to power up their careers:
Remote Work Opportunities
The increased acceptance of remote work may provide more flexibility for women balancing career and family responsibilities. However, it also brings challenges in networking and visibility.
Emphasis on Digital Skills
As technology becomes increasingly central to all industries, women who develop strong digital skills will be well-positioned for success.
Entrepreneurship and the Gig Economy
The growth of the gig economy and startup culture provides new avenues for women to create their own opportunities and build businesses aligned with their values.
Focus on Diversity and Inclusion
Many companies are placing greater emphasis on diversity and inclusion initiatives, potentially creating more opportunities for women in leadership roles.
Changing Nature of Leadership
As organizations become flatter and more collaborative, traditionally feminine leadership qualities like empathy and emotional intelligence may become more valued.
Conclusion
"Power Up" provides a comprehensive roadmap for women looking to advance their careers in the New Economy, particularly in the tech industry. By developing the right mindset, building valuable skills and experiences, advocating for themselves, cultivating gravitas, building strong networks, and promoting diversity and inclusion, women can overcome barriers and achieve their professional goals.
The book's strategies emphasize taking control of one's career journey and actively working to create opportunities rather than waiting for them to appear. While acknowledging the systemic challenges that still exist for women in the workplace, Yesil's approach focuses on practical steps individuals can take to navigate these obstacles and thrive.
As the nature of work continues to evolve, the core principles of powering up – confidence, continuous learning, relationship-building, and resilience – will remain valuable for women at all stages of their careers. By embracing these strategies and supporting one another, women can continue to break down barriers and reshape the workplace to be more equitable and inclusive for all.
Ultimately, the power UP movement is about more than individual success – it's about creating a ripple effect that transforms entire organizations and industries. As more women power up and reach positions of influence, they can use their platforms to advocate for systemic changes and create more opportunities for the next generation of women leaders.
By combining personal empowerment with a commitment to lifting others up, women can play a crucial role in building a more diverse, innovative, and successful New Economy that benefits everyone. The journey to true equality in the workplace is ongoing, but by powering up, women can accelerate progress and shape the future of work for the better.