Take a Stand

It is time for women to stand up and change the paradigm that exists within the workplace. Research indicates that women are significantly underrepresented in top executive position and are paid less than their male counterparts. It is time to establish healthy workplace cultures where people are free to share their personal experiences about gender disparity issues and openly discuss the difference in leadership styles. Why do men and women typically communicate, process, and problem solving differently? These conversations are empowering in order to unlock the disparity gap. This book is written to create reflection about where women have been, where they are, and how they can define their future.

Through personal stories, reflection and research, Kelly Spivey tells it like it is in this leadership book. It is a great jumping off point to study your own actions and improve your role in the development of other great leaders. , The author brings inspiration at a practical level for all female educators. Her insightful themes emphasize relevant topics for today’s aspiring leaders., Kelly blends quantitative data and qualitative experiences together to create a female leader masterpiece. She makes real the plight of the female leader through a combination of stories and facts that makes this book a page turning must read. She compels the reader to study their own experiences and behaviors, and creates a blueprint for change. Her words incite the need for change. The author references to situational leadership and how leaders lead are critical to understanding the gaps between women and men when it comes to leadership. The chapters on behaviors and culture are a master class in how the most effective leaders work.This book should be required reading for all leaders (educational and otherwise). Females leaders will grow if they read and apply the principles contained herein. Males need to read this book to better understand their female colleagues and their personal relationships. Finally, this is not a one and done book. It is a book that one can read over and over and find new information, different insights, and a new way of behaving that will result in improved performance and the development of more female leaders at a time in which we desperately need leaders (especially female) in education, in our country, and in the world.

Kelly Murray Spivey is a retired Superintendent from Southwest Ohio. She served as the President of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators in 2016-17. During this time only 24% of women served as superintendents in the United States. She also worked in her community on culture and diversity issues. She received the NAACP award in Oxford, Ohio in 2018.