Book Review - Career GPS: Strategies for Women Navigating the New Corporate Landscape

By Tony Deblauwe

Career GPS: Strategies for Women Navigating the New Corporate Landscape by Ella L. J. Edmondson Bell, Ph.D with Linda Villarosa

Retail: $25.99

ISBN: 978-0061714382

The corporate landscape has changed over the last twenty years, but it’s still challenging for many women to detach from old corporate mores that prevent them from career advancement. Career GPS seeks to highlight and educate women career seekers what’s required to form and obtain the right career. The book provides an experiential approach and outlines what it takes to perform and think like an executive while not losing one’s authentic self.

Dr. Bell walks the reader through her experiences – the good, the bad, and the ugly – that kept her from thinking she was worthy of advancement. Whether it was her background or preconceived notions of what success should be for a woman, she learned to recognize her worth, and she achieved tremendous success including becoming an Associate Professor at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth University. Her insight is woven into each chapter which takes a step-by-step view of how to craft a fulfilling career.

The book provides many stories to illustrate the highlights of each chapter as well as a chapter summary for key takeaways. In some cases the material may be basic for readers familiar with career search techniques (e.g. how to search online/career boards, social networking etiquette, winning the interview) but for someone who has not seen, heard, or read, all the career tools advice out there, this is a good overview. The real treasure of the book is Chapter 5 – Relationships.

Often people think that keeping your nose to the grindstone equates to getting noticed in the workplace. In fact, Bell points out practical advice she received when she was starting out, “Early in your career you’re paid for what you do, later you’re paid for whom you know.” This truth is applicable to anyone not just women. The concept is further developed in terms of outlining how to build your brand awareness with others.

Being noticed at work requires help - sponsors, allies, and anyone you can partner with to create your buzz. Careers get stalled when people don’t socialize themselves enough to be top of mind especially for women who already have to fight through a male dominated career network. They get lost in the shuffle wondering why their hard work and long hours haven’t paid off. This chapter is not simply another “it’s who you know” summary – this chapter has depth and will force you to review and realign what you’re doing to build your presence and influence others.

The book is broader than the subtitle implies in terms of career guidance. Bell does a good job of wrapping things up with perspective - you have to be balanced in work and life to stay self-aware, and be willing to change when things aren’t working. As the book’s theme is woven throughout - your career, like life, is constantly shifting and moving in different directions. You need tools to make sure you’re on track (a GPS) to maintain the right destination to achieve the success you deserve.