Coaching Women to Lead
Changing the World from the Inside
📘 About This Book
Ten years ago, the first edition of this book asked why there was such a low number of women filling leadership roles and outlined what it took for women to succeed in their careers. Since then, headline numbers have gone up but has there been real change? This new edition continues a deep investigation into underlying issues and coaching responses. Building on the first edition’s original research with the London School of Economics, the authors revisit all assumptions, adding millennials and beyond, as well as a broader selection of industry sectors. In this book, you will find: How to build a business case for coaching women specific to your organisation. Which areas of coaching are the most useful at which stage of long careers – not just age. Refreshed interviews with past and new women leaders. Specific tools and techniques to develop women leaders and build more women-friendly organisations. The original research clearly stands, so do the core elements of coaching that lead to success. This book will be of great interest to coaches, women leaders, professional managers and academics.
📖 Summary
Coaching Women to Lead by Averil Leimon, published in 2021, is a comprehensive 212-page exploration of the psychological and professional landscape surrounding female leadership. Building upon a decade of research originally conducted with the London School of Economics, this updated edition revisits earlier assumptions and expands its scope to include the experiences of millennials and professionals across a broader selection of industry sectors. The book examines whether the increase in headline numbers for women in leadership over the past ten years translates into genuine, systemic change, or if deeper cultural and psychological barriers still remain. At its core, the text investigates the underlying issues that prevent women from advancing and details targeted coaching responses designed to help them succeed in their careers. Leimon provides practical guidance on how organizations can build a compelling business case for coaching women specifically tailored to their corporate environment. The book explores which areas of coaching are most useful at various stages of long careers, moving beyond mere chronological age to focus on professional milestones and development phases. By featuring refreshed interviews with both past and new women leaders, the publication offers nuanced perspectives on navigating the modern workplace. It addresses the unique psychological dynamics that female leaders face, offering actionable strategies to foster confidence, overcome organizational hurdles, and achieve sustainable career progression. Ultimately, Coaching Women to Lead serves as both an investigative study and a practical manual for coaches, human resources professionals, and organizations committed to unlocking the full leadership potential of women.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Grounded in solid research conducted with the London School of Economics
Updated to include modern perspectives from millennials and diverse industries
Offers practical guidance on building a business case for coaching
Provides nuanced insights through refreshed interviews with women leaders
⚠️ Cons
Focuses heavily on coaching frameworks which may require adaptation for certain company cultures
May be less applicable to small businesses without formal coaching programs
❓ FAQ
What is the main premise of Coaching Women to Lead? +
The book investigates underlying issues and coaching responses regarding women in leadership, updating a decade of research to see if real change has occurred.
Who is the author of this book? +
The book is authored by Averil Leimon.
When was this edition published? +
This new edition was published in 2021 and spans 212 pages.
What new elements are included in this edition? +
It includes research expanded to include millennials and broader industry sectors, along with refreshed interviews with past and new women leaders.
How does the book help organizations? +
It teaches readers how to build a business case for coaching women specific to their organization and identifies useful coaching areas for different career stages.
