The number of female business leaders continues to fall short when compared to the hordes of male executives and founders. Luckily, though the numbers still aren’t close to even, female entrepreneurship is, in fact, on the rise. Even more exciting is the fact that 71% of the new female-founded businesses are owned by women of color! Those are some inspiring facts, huh? To keep the motivation coming, and to put some other rockstar female business leaders on your map, I’ve broken down some of the top business books written by women and for women.
Get Over Your Damn Self, Romi Neustadt
If you want to learn how to banish self-doubt, realign your mindset to your goals, and finally achieve the balance between career freedom and flexibility, this one’s for you. Neustadt is a former lawyer and PR executive who had caved out an incredible corporate career for herself. After getting there, she realized she wanted more—way more. Now, she owns a direct sales and marketing empire and wants to share her insight to how you can cultivate the life you want.
Year of Yes, Shonda Rhimes
Rhimes, as a female and a woman of color, is the highest paid showrunner on modern television. In her book, the creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal discusses her rise from shy Hollywood newbie to a TV visionary and groundbreaker. Year of Yes will teach you how to say yes to opportunities that scare you, leading you to finally take the leap of faith necessary to accomplish your dreams.
What I Told My Daughter, Nina Tassler
Though not directly related to business, Nina Tassler’s book features a collection of diverse women who share the advice they gave their daughters. Ranging from counsel on love, friendships, and careers, What I Told My Daughter reminds you of what’s truly important in life while imparting invaluable guidance. It is a moving book that will make you want to call your mom!
Broken Open, Elizabeth Lesser
How many times in your life have you shied away from your dreams out of fear of failure? I’d guess it’s at least a handful. Sure, fear keep us from pain and sacrifice, but it more so keeps us from success. Elizabeth Lesser’s Broken Open teaches how to turn failure and turn it into an opportunity for positive growth. Women in business, and especially female entrepreneurs, face staggering criticism, sexism, and challenges, which makes Broken Open that much more important to read.
These four books are vastly different, but they do have one common trait: promoting radical acceptance for who you are and using it to your advantage. The cliched saying is true, “You are your worst enemy.” When we learn to stop battling ourselves, we find the opportunity to thrive, and that’s what these books can do for you.