Description:
Authors Connie Glaser and Barbara Smalley revisit an ancient question: How did an orphaned Jewish girl win a beauty contest and become the most powerful woman in Persia? They shape the tale of Biblical Queen Esther into an intriguing tutorial for women as managers. Esther’s development as a leader illuminates key strategies for success. These leadership tools are introduced through old/new parallels. For example, Esther’s mastery of "palace protocol" translates into learning corporate culture, her closeness with her wise cousin Mordechai creates a template to finding a mentor, her dustups with the villainous Haman become a primer for dealing with difficult people, and her bravery in saving her people underlines integrity and risk-taking. Glaser and Smalley alternate examples from Esther’s leadership with those of contemporary executives such as Avon CEO Andrea Jung and Enron whistle blower Sherron Watkins. Each chapter begins with an excerpt from the Esther story and is followed by highly practical suggestions. Seasoned businesswomen may find some strategies familiar. And the writing is diminished by expert quotes that could have been paraphrased. Yet the author’s engaging and thoughtful examples rule the day. Their insights about a tale as old as time are relevant and inspiring. --Barbara Mackoff
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