and Andrea S. Kramer
and Alton B. Harris
“According to spouses Kramer and Harris, ‘Women don’t need to be fixed,’ but society does, and quickly. The authors proceed to identify a serious advancement problem for women, who make up 45 percent of entry-level professionals but only 17 percent of C-suite executives. They blame this gap on the pervasiveness of gender stereotypes, which lead to a kind of ‘benevolent sexism’ that’s as damaging as it is unintentional. Kramer and Harris acknowledge that systemic change is important, but it takes time, which leaves current would-be executives in the dust. The authors discuss managing perceptions, being aware of body language, crafting communications, and using anger to its best effect… a well-organized, well-thought-out call to action…”
—Publishers Weekly
“Breaking Through Bias teaches women strategies they can use to counteract the negative effect of gender biases, while showing men what actions they can take to help advance their women colleagues. This book deserves widespread attention!”
—Hon. Jessica A. O’Brien, President, Women’s Bar Association of Illinois
“Women are more qualified, educated, and prepared for leadership roles in every field—business, law, politics, and technology—than ever before. Yet, well into the twenty-first century, we still encounter the old barriers of prejudice and gender bias. Breaking Through Bias provides women with hugely impactful tools that can be put to use right now to confront gender issues and, yes, partner with enlightened men to promote our advancement.”
—Jan Schakowsky, Congresswoman, Ninth District of Illinois
“Change cannot come fast enough in the pursuit of gender equality in the workplace. In Breaking Through Bias, Andie and Al provide strategies that allow women—and men—to create their own change by teaching us to communicate in a way that overcomes biases and stereotypes. This information is invaluable for all professionals looking to accelerate within inclusive workplaces around the globe.”
—Deborah Gillis, President & CEO, Catalyst
“It is exciting to see the ideas that Andie has been using for so long to personally mentor women now being made available on a broad scale in this terrific book. A great read for any woman who wants to take control of her career and be seen as the smart, capable woman she is.”
—Julie Howard, Chairman & CEO at Navigant Consulting, Inc.
“Andie and Al tackle the all-important subject of gender-correlated communication styles in the workplace from a fresh perspective. Combining their own real-life experiences (as a woman and as a man) with solid research, Breaking Through Bias is a highly readable book. Offering both practical advice for women and essential knowledge to the men who want to support them, this is a book to read and to share with others.”
—Carol Frohlinger, President, Negotiating Women, Inc.
“Barriers to gender equality persist. This groundbreaking book encourages talented women to persevere on the road to achieving the success they seek. This book should be mandatory reading for women both at the onset of their careers and on the path to the top of their profession.”
—Laurel G. Bellows, Managing Principal, The Bellows Law Group, P.C. and past President, American Bar Association
“Andie and Al have written an exceptional book—and an important one. It reflects decades of experience in thinking about how to overcome gender bias, and is chock-full of practical and accessible strategies for surmounting the challenges that women—and men—face. It should be read and studied by anyone seeking to win in the worldwide battle for talent.”
—Jeffrey E. Stone, Chairman, McDermott Will & Emery LLP
“Andie has worked tirelessly on the advancement of women in workplaces for so many years, and the wisdom and insights from that work are elegantly captured in this book! Breaking Through Bias is a great resource for women navigating the realities of workplace gender bias and the men who want to make their workplaces work better for everyone! Andie and Al’s advice is practical without asking women to be something other than who they are, which is why it will also be effective for those who utilize it.”
—Dr. Arin Reeves, author of One Size Never Fits All: Business Development Strategies for Women (And Most Men) and The Next IQ: The Next Generation of Intelligence for 21st Century Leaders
“Breaking Through Bias serves as a wake-up call for senior business leaders. The book explores common gender stereotypes and discusses the discriminatory bias that result. Based on my own work on culture change over the past five years, I am convinced that bias in the workplace is real. Things aren’t equal. I can’t allow myself to be satisfied with an environment where female employees have to expend energy combatting bias, so culture change is necessary—but it is slow work. This book offers insights and practical approaches to help women manage the environment as it exists. It is essential reading for modern businesspeople of either gender.”
—Lee Richard Tschanz, Vice President North America, Sales, Services, and Solutions, Rockwell Automation
“The medical profession is no more free of gender bias than all other professions that make up our economy. From the early stages of training to achieving the attending physician status, bias exists at every level. Thus, I am enthusiastically recommending that women medical students, residents, and fellow colleagues read and reread Breaking Through Bias.”
—Neelum T. Aggarwal, MD, Chief Diversity Officer of American Medical Women’s Association; Chair of Mentors, Advisors and Peers Committee, Women in Bio (Chicago); Associate Professor, Departments of Neurological Sciences and Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center
“Andie and Al have created the perfect primer to navigate through the treacherous waters of gender bias. This is not a book you read and donate to your neighborhood library! You’ll want to keep it handy for its many insights and apply them to the countless scenarios that emerge throughout your personal and professional life. This is the book I wish I had more than thirty-five years ago when I launched my career in public relations.”
—Cheryl Procter-Rogers, PR strategist and executive coach, A Step Ahead PR Consulting and Coaching