Women Lead The Way ~ Linda Tarr-Whelan

My experience of reading more than half of "On Leadership" was not a pleasant one. It turned out to be a very dull and tedious book that in an overall sense wasn't very informative at all. Today I journeyed to the Chula Vista Public Library and I checked out several new books. From now on I will be skimming and scanning to pull the key information out of the text. My mother and I discussed this strategy and she was a big help in finding the new material. I am also hoping to get all of my interviews completed this week so that I am not extremely stressed in the next three weeks before this symposium project is due.

On the inside cover:
Linda states that her goal is to make the 30% plan happen (here she has not explained it) and to close the leadership gap between men and women. She also hopes that the book will help more women to either get into leadership or help aspiring leaders to improve their tactics and become more successful.

Foreword:
Marie Wilson explains how women are underused and only occupy between 16% and 20% of major leadership positions. She advocates for the 30% plan (though at this point I still have no idea what that is), tells that women are catalysts for change, and explains her relationship with Linda, the writer of the book.

Preface:
Linda explains her belief that having more women leaders can make a big difference. The book is supposed to be a guide to becoming a transformational woman leader. She tells of her own rocky journey and how she hope that this book will make the journey for others easier. The 30% plan makes it so that at least one-third of a decision-making group as women can have powerful positive outcomes ( Yay I finally know what that is!). She also explains how one of her other goals is to eradicate degrading and untrue myths for women. Also, we must help other women climb up with us to create equality.

Introduction:
She opens with a blurb on an inspirational pin that sits on her desk and goes on to explain the link between Rwanda's success and the majority of women leaders that is present in that country and the link that that has to its success. She then goes into paralysis of women in the home due to family responsibilities (though this does not apply to me now, it will in the future so it is a good point).

Takeaways:
* The 30% plan is essential to success (189 countries have ratified it, including the U.S.)
* Companies with more woman directors have more success
* Women bring fresh ideas (In India women brought huge change)
* Sometimes our climb to the top is stalled or very slow
* Much of our power and ideas remain unused
* Bring more leaders up with you to create faster change
* Nothing is impossible (The word itself says I'm Possible - hehehe)
* Do everything you can to decrease the possibility of failure
* Make a difference by being ready when opportunity knocks
* New women leaders is exactly what we need today
* You can never think too big