Oxford University Press, 1995
IBSN: 0-19-508079-3

This book contains the same content as the paperback version called: America's Competitive Secret, Women Managers.

Book Flap Comments......

The United States has a large number of well educated, experienced professional women ready, willing, and able to move into the boardrooms and executive suites of corporate America. Together they represent a great, untapped economic resource, a resource no other country in the world can claim. This is America's competitive secret, argues Judy B. Rosener in this refreshingly pragmatic new book for managers who want to improve their bottom line.

A leading expert on women and men at work and a highly sought-after speaker, Rosener argues that not only are men and women different, so are male and female managers. Drawing on in-depth interviews with top-flight executives and middle managers and the latest research on working women and organizational change, she describes the unique contribution of female professionals. Her profiels of top women managers reveal that they cope well with ambiguity, are comfortable sharing power and information, and with empowering others—leadership traits that Rosener contends lead to increased employee productivity, innovation, and profits. As businesses today struggle with corporate reorganization and an increasingly diverse workforce, America's Competitive Secret offers compelling evidence that the changes that help businesses more fully utilize the talents of women are the same changes that will give them an important edge in today's fast-changing, service oriented, global workplace.

Rosener explains why the so-called glass ceiling still prevents many competent women from reaching the upper echelons of management. She analyzes why women and men are perceived and evaluated differently at work, and provides new insight into the feelings of men who are asked ot interact with women in new roles when there are few new rules. Rosener shows that removing the glass ceiling can no longer be viewed solely in terms of social equity—it is not an economic imperative. Too many American businesses have eliminated their economic strength by viewing the promotion of women employees only within the context of federally mandated affirmative action laws and policies. America's Competitive Secret redefines the issue for a new era, showing that America's most successful competitive strategy is one that most effectively utilizes all its human resources.

Book Flap Quotes...... "Professor Rosener slams the sledge hammer of economics against the glass ceiling. In clearly written, declarative language, America's Competitive Secret changes the debate in the boardroom from 'what is the right thing to do' to 'what is the necessary thing to do' to upgrade the use of all human resources in business." —Abraham Zaleznik Konosuke Matsushita Professor of Leadership Emeritus Harvard Business School "Rosener has it right—using the talents of women is not merely a social justice issue. It's an economic imperative!" —Muriel Siebert Chairman and President, Muriel Siebert & Co. and first woman member of the New York Stock Exchange "Dr. Rosener offers a very positive look at the role of women in leading companies. Her book will give welcome encouragement to women about the value of their contributions and helpful guidance to managers about establishing people-friendly workplaces that allow both men and women to be themselves." —Rosabeth Moss Kanter author of When Giants Learn to Dance and Men and Women of the Corporation. "Provides valuable insight into one of the most important management challenges of the '90s—effectively using women in management....Dr. Rosener's book helps chart the course to accomplish this business imperative." —J. Michael Cook Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte & Touche LLP "Motivation and inspiration of people requires trust, caring, purpose, and dignity. Only that can make people grow to their full potential. These are qualities that Judy Rosener defines as typical for women as leaders—comfortable sharing power and empowering others. Let us hope that this book can help encourage more women and men to come forward representing and believing in these values." —Goran Carstedt Chief Executive Officer IKEA North America