The Myth of the Nice Girl by Fran Hauser

The Myth of the Nice Girl by Fran Hauser

Fran Hauser deconstructs the negative perception of "niceness" that many women struggle with in the business world. In this guide offering essential career advice for women, she tackles a common double-bind: If women are nice, they are seen as weak and ineffective, but if they are tough, they are labeled a bitch.

Hauser proves that women don't have to sacrifice their values or hide their authentic personalities to be successful. Sharing a wealth of personal anecdotes and time-tested strategies, she provides a roadmap for authentic leadership. She shows women how to reclaim "nice" and sidestep regressive stereotypes about what a strong leader looks like. Her accessible advice and hard-won wisdom detail how to improve workplace communication, balance being empathetic with being decisive, rise above the double standards that can box you in, and cultivate authentic confidence that projects throughout a room.

THE MYTH OF THE NICE GIRL is a refreshing dose of forward-looking feminism that will resonate with smart, professional women who know what they want and are looking for a guide to professional development that takes their career to the next level without losing themselves in the process.

How can ambitious women climb the ladder without sacrificing who they are?

• Develop Leadership Skills: Learn to be both empathetic and decisive, sidestepping the regressive stereotypes that can hold women back from the corner office.
• Speak Up Assertively: Find your voice and contribute with confidence in meetings, give feedback that gets results, and handle difficult conversations with grace.
• Negotiate with Confidence: Secure the salary, title, and opportunities you deserve by negotiating with a strategy rooted in both empathy and strength.
• Set Healthy Boundaries: Protect your time and energy to focus on what truly matters, learning how to say "no" kindly so you can say "yes" to your biggest career goals.

FRAN HAUSER is a seasoned media executive, a seasoned startup investor, and a well-known advocate for women and girls. She's worked for Time Inc.'s People, InStyle, and Entertainment Weekly, as well as Moviefone and AOL, and has held senior positions at some of the world's greatest digital media companies. Fran was named one of Refinery29's 6 Most Influential Women in NYC's Tech Scene, and has been covered by CNBC, Forbes, Vogue.com, Ad Age, and others. She is now an angel investor that primarily invests in female companies.