Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office    by Lois P. Frankel Order:  USA  Can Warner, 2004 (2004) Hardcover Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by J. A. Kaszuba Locke Dr. Lois Frankel's book, Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office, carries forward the banner for women's advancement to higher corporate positions. The author encourages women to break out of learned behaviors and inhibitions. She clearly and concisely points out their self-defeating 'Mistakes', offering 'Coaching' tips to promote behavioral changes. The advice is insightful and simplistic. It takes a down to earth approach to teaching the negative results of the kind of self-defeating thinking that stunts women's growth in the corporate arena. Dr. Frankel's methods encourage women to be heard and taken seriously, and can instill the confidence to accept upward promotions. They reduce the amount of time spent on negative thinking, in particular on: 'perfection-seeking' behavior; apologizing too much; over-concern with offending others; and on the constant need to be liked. Viewed positively, these practical behavior changes encourage: learning to 'speak' the language of the business; active participation in meetings; a decrease in the urge to ask permission; allowance for redefining power; and understanding the needs of peers. Dr. Frankel's ideas and methods don't reinvent the wheel but they do strengthen it (I'd also encourage women interested in the topic to read an old favorite of mine, Gloria Steinem's Revolution from Within : A Book of Self-Esteem). Personally, I believe that it's okay for women to want to be on the fast track ... or not. Each must find their ideal. With encouragement and support (including discovering what is within themselves), women can negate the bad practices of self-flagellation for what is expected of them vs. what they should/want to do. The practices encouraged in Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office are applicable not just in the corporate world, but also to women who choose to be housewives, stay-at-home mothers, volunteers, social workers, caregivers, and indeed to fill any positions in the public or private sector. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews