Break Your Own Rules

How women can make it to the top by adopting the new rules of leadership

Women hold just 11 percent of the most senior-level leadership positions in U.S. Corporations-a number that hasn't changed in over 30 years. How can women break through? Break Your Own Rules distills the six faulty assumptions (or 'rules') most women follow that get in the way-then delivers the correlating new rules that promise to clear that path. For example, the old rule of 'Focus on Others' must be replaced by 'Take Center Stage,' 'Hard Work Will Get You There' must yield to 'Be Politically Savvy.' 'Play It Safe' must give way to 'Play to Win.' 'Ask Permission' must be replaced by 'Proceed Until Apprehended.'

• Features the results of over 1,700 interviews with executives in Fortune 1000 companies, as well as the authors' new research and ongoing work with over 5,000 professional women
• Showcases previously-untold stories from high profile women including Ann Moore (CEO, Time Inc.), Susan Ivey (CEO, Reynolds American), Cathy Bessant (Global Executive for Technology and Operations for Bank of America), Lynn Ford (CEO, ING Solutions), and more
• Reveals what it really takes for any woman to succeed at the highest levels
• Foreword by Sharon Allen, Chairman of Deloitte

This hands-on guide is for women who are ready to transform their assumptions and join the senior ranks of American business.

Jill Flynn, M.Ed., is managing partner of Flynn Heath Holt Leadership (FHHL), a consulting firm dedicated to developing women leaders. Previously she was SVP at Wachovia (now Wells Fargo).

Kathryn Heath, Ph.D., is managing partner of FHHL. Previously she was SVP and director of First University at Wachovia (now Wells Fargo).

Mary Davis Holt, M.B.A., is managing partner of FHHL. Previously she was SVP and COO of Time Life, Inc.

FHHL's clients include Deloitte, Avery Dennison, National Geographic, the U.S. State Department, and TIAA-CREF.