Take Back Your Power by Deb Liu (Book Review)

As I wrote in my review of Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer’s book Leadership B.S., leadership advice that is actually effective is in short-supply among the tens of thousands of leadership books.

Deborah Liu‘s new book, Take Back Your Power: 10 New Rules for Women at Work is one of the rare few that offers evidence-based, practical, and effective leadership strategies and tactics.

Here a blurb I wrote that appears in the printed version of her book:

I highly recommend Deb Liu’s book Take Back Your Power to all women in the workplace, and also to anyone from a group that is disadvantaged or underrepresented in the competitive world of business. Her lessons about embracing power, finding your voice, and making alliances should be required reading for anyone seeking to be more effective in their work. Power is necessary to accomplish your mission, realize your vision, and help make the world a better place. Deb’s book is an excellent guide for everyone who feels weak and deserves to be a change-maker. 

— Rajiv Pant, technology executive at Hearst Magazines and former CTO of the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal

“Take Back Your Power” by Deb Liu is an empowering and practical book that offers valuable insights and advice for women seeking to achieve success in the workplace. Drawing on her own experiences as a former VP at Facebook and the current President & CEO of Ancestry, as well as her expertise as an advocate for women in tech, Deb provides a comprehensive guide for anyone seeking to find their voice and make a meaningful impact in their lives and communities.

One of the key themes of “Take Back Your Power” is the idea that power, when harnessed correctly, can be a force for good. Deb argues that women often have negative associations with the word “power,” and that this can hold them back in their careers. By debunking these negative connotations and demonstrating how power can be used to effect positive change, she empowers women to take control of their lives and make a difference in the world.

Another important theme of the book is the importance of finding allies and building networks. Deb identifies four types of allies that are essential for success: mentors, sponsors, peers, and protégés. By developing strong relationships with individuals in each of these categories, women can increase their visibility and leverage their power to achieve their goals.

Deb’s writing is engaging and easy to follow, and she provides a range of tools and exercises that readers can use to begin taking back their power right away. The book is well-structured, with each chapter focusing on a different aspect of taking back your power, from knowing your playing field to finding your voice and making your mark.

Each chapter builds on the previous one to create a comprehensive guide for women seeking to thrive in the workplace. Deb draws on a range of personal anecdotes and data to illustrate the points she is making, and her advice is both practical and actionable.

“Take Back Your Power” is an inspiring and practical book that offers valuable insights and advice for anyone looking to reclaim their power and live on their own terms. Deb’s personal stories make the book relatable and down-to-earth, while also serving as a source of inspiration and encouragement for readers who may be struggling to find their own power. If you’re looking to make a positive change in your life and career, this book is well worth the read.