What Others Are Saying
Take a look at what others are saying about the book and a special forward from Colleen Ammerman and Boris Groysberg from Harvard Business School.
Colleen Ammerman and Boris Groysberg, Harvard Business School; authors, Glass Half Broken: Shattering the Barriers That Still Hold Women Back at Work
In our professional roles at Harvard Business School, we have the privilege of getting to know some of the world’s brightest and most accomplished executives—in the classroom, at various events, and through our research. The authors of this book, who attended the “Women on Boards: Succeeding as a Corporate Director” executive education course at HBS, are glowing examples of the kind of remarkable leader with whom we get to build relationships, and by whom we continue to be inspired. Bonnie Hagemann, Lisa Pent, and their colleagues in the WomenExecs on Boards network came to Harvard Business School to get an education, and they left with a mission to change the world.
The issue of gender parity in leadership positions is a complex one that deserves rigorous and sustained attention. Both of us are passionate about bringing the insights of gender research to people who can use those lessons to create real change in their companies and in society. Together, we coauthored Glass Half Broken: Shattering the Barriers That Still Hold Women Back at Work (Harvard Business Review Press 2021), with the goal of helping organizations dismantle the barriers that keep women from advancing. With colleagues at HBS, we helped to found the school’s Gender Initiative in 2015, where Colleen serves as director and where Boris is a faculty affiliate. Boris also co-chairs the “Women on Boards” course and teaches an MBA course on gender at work. We’ve authored and coauthored numerous articles and case studies on the state of gender in the workplace and on the career paths of women leaders. The courage, resiliency, and perseverance of the leaders profiled in this volume demonstrate what we have known for years: companies and industries need more women at the top.
Our experience studying leadership and organizations, and working directly with executives to help them develop and foster talent in their companies, has made it clear to us that women who have ascended to senior ranks have a critical role to play in fostering gender equity. The female leaders in the following pages provide inspiration for other women, whether emerging or established in their careers, who too often see very few role models who share their gender. They also provide important insight to all readers, regardless of gender, about the obstacles that women navigate in pursuit of their aspirations. The proverbial ladder of corporate success remains more difficult for women to climb. In the following pages, women who are incredibly successful by any measure are courageous enough to tell the messier parts of their stories—the challenges, the frustrations, and the hurdles they had to overcome to attain the heights they’ve reached. Together, they offer an honest look at the complexities of life and work and what it takes to keep moving forward in the face of adversity. There are lessons to be learned from these career journeys, but perhaps more importantly there is solace to be taken in knowing that everyone struggles—even those who appear to have it all. This book is a call to other leaders to find their inner strength and persevere, and to appreciate that everyone around them has had to do the same.
“When you make it to the top, turn and reach down for the person behind you.” This exhortation, often attributed to Abraham Lincoln, is carried out faithfully by the team behind this remarkable book. They have normalized struggle and setbacks for current and future leaders, and in so doing inspired compassion for ourselves and others. That compassion and encouragement is exactly what women deserve as they grow, rise, and reach for the top.
Colleen Ammerman and Boris Groysberg, Harvard Business School; authors, Glass Half Broken: Shattering the Barriers That Still Hold Women Back at Work
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Endorsements
Our stories have impacted a wide-range of business professionals and have been a vignette for those looking to understand their own struggles.

Inspiring Stories
Women’s empowerment is the single biggest opportunity of the 21st century. Read this book and be inspired by the courageous stories of those who are re-writing the rules of leadership.”

Relatable Struggles
As I read the many stories so artfully captured in the Courage to Advance, I could not help but think of my own mothers struggle to succeed as Physician in a Navy town in the late 1960s. Like so many of the leaders profiled in this book, she persevered through countless challenges and setbacks and paved the way for future generations of leaders in the process. One cannot help but be inspired by the courage, humility, and tenacity of the special Women profiled in these stories.”

Critical Roadmap
Through telling the stories of these courageous leaders, we reveal the path for others. Sharing the wisdom from experiences that led these women to step fully into the light of their success, is a gift to the reader and a roadmap for stepping into one’s own power and potential.”
Rebekah E. Dopp, Founder & Chair of Exponent

Inspiring and Engaging

Courage Demonstrated
There is no single background, style or path to become a successful leader. As seen in ‘The Courage to Lead, one often has to overcome challenging systemic and interpersonal obstacles. Through hard work, clarity of purpose, and perseverance we see examples of women who are making significant, positive impacts on people and organizations. An inspiring read with useful words of wisdom for any leader.”

Exceptional Women Leaders

Powerful Reminder

Riveting Encounters
Women all over the world have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, in what may be the biggest set-back for gender equality in our lifetimes. Stories like these, brilliantly curated by Hagemann and Pent, will be pivotal in galvanising the next generation of leaders. A must read for every aspiring young woman.”

Inspiring Revelations

Capturing Hearts

Clarity Through Storytelling

Powerful and Personal
Courage to Advance is an easy read because it keeps you engaged through the very personal and different stories which are short but powerful. It will inspire you to never give up and to achieve your wildest dreams despite the many obstacles along the way. You will take ownership and achieve more than you could have ever imagined!”

Validating and Encouraging
Finally! A book so validating, so encouraging, that it feels as though I sat through years of life, career, and business lessons from successful mentors willing to bare it all to pave a path just for me. If you are ready for your head to be full of ideas, your heart running over, and your insides raring to go – The Courage to Advance is for you!”
Nanette Harrell – Independent Fractional Chief Information Officer & former Transportation Executive, at Faneuil, Inc., Savi Tech & GE.

Achieving Full Potential
There is an old adage that “anything that matters in life is worth fighting for” and Hagemann, Pent and their amazing contributing Board members provide some remarkably elegant advise on how women have overcome societies innate obstacles to achieving their full potential in leadership without selling out on family and work-life balance. This book really helps our world on a path to gender neutral leadership. The stories told will give you courage, inspiration and the confidence to help you navigate the rocks, stones and jerks in the road. “

Memoir, Guide and Advice in One
The book offers a compendium of advice from truly accomplished women leaders who shine a light on the executive path to success that often is hidden from sight. Part memoir, part guide to business and part life advice should stick to any serious reader who is looking for a path to succeed on their terms.’’

Strong Words

A Moving Account
The book presents a moving account of the courage and resilience of these strong women leaders from all walks of life. It is interesting how Hagemann and Pent use vulnerability as a means of inspiring strength in the reader. These poignant portraits will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.”

Moving Experiences
When you read the stories in this book, you can’t help but be moved and energized by the words and experiences of these fearless women leaders. This book will call you out, lift you up, and help you thrive in your purpose. A great how-to on leadership for those looking to take things to the next level.”

Empowering Leaders

An Inspirational Roadmap
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