The Fix by Michelle P. King

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Book Summary:

For years, we’ve been telling women that in order to succeed at work, they have to change themselves first—lean in, negotiate like a man, don’t act too nice or you’ll never get the corner office. But after sixteen years working with major Fortune 500 companies as a gender equality expert, Michelle King has realized one simple truth—the tired advice of fixing women doesn’t fix anything.

The truth is that workplaces are gendered; they were designed by men for men. Because of this, most organizations unconsciously carry the idea of an “ideal worker,” typically a straight, white man who doesn’t have to juggle work and family commitments. Based on King’s research and exclusive interviews with major companies and thought leaders, The Fix reveals why denying the fact that women are held back just because they are women—what she calls gender denial—is the biggest obstacle holding women back at work and outlines the hidden sexism and invisible barriers women encounter at work every day.

Women who speak up are seen as pushy. Women who ask for a raise are seen as difficult. Women who spend hours networking don’t get the same career benefits as men do. Because women don’t look like the ideal worker and can’t behave like the ideal worker, they are passed over for promotions, paid less, and pushed out of the workforce, not because they aren’t good enough, but because they aren’t men.

In this fascinating and empowering book, King outlines the invisible barriers that hold women back at all stages of their careers and provides readers with a clear set of takeaways to thrive despite the sexist workplace, as they fight for change from within. Gender equality is not about women, and it is not about men—it is about making workplaces work for everyone. Together, we can fix work, not women.

Publication Date:

March 3rd, 2020

Genre:

Women and Business/Workplace Culture/Non-fiction

Purchase Your Copy:

Amazon Link | LibroFM Bookstore Link

My Review:

The Fix by Michelle P. King is a timely book that focuses on the invisible barriers that are holding women back in the workplace. King is a gender equality expert and has spent a lot of time researching this important and relevant issue.

King discusses the current issues that women are facing in a readable and approachable manner. One highlight of this book was how she presented historical and root causes that have set up today’s workplaces that ultimately were and still are designed for men.

“This book is an introduction to the numerous invisible barriers all women face throughout their careers because organizations are not designed for different. And that a true problem, because our differences are not barriers to overcome, they are what make us remarkable. We deserve the freedom to be ourselves at work and to be appreciated for this. This is equality. It’s also freedom. Gender inequality at work is a problem for all of us. This means that your fight is my fight. Equality is not about women, and itis not about women, it is about making workplaces work for everyone.”

These challenges are not things women just can “overcome” on their own which is a common misunderstanding. King proactively shares the steps we can take to make real change and find gender equality, This book has the perfect amount of research mixed with approachable and conversational text and I got so much out of it.

Thank you to Atria Books for an advanced copy.

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