Own It by Sallie Krawcheck

Summary

'Own It' by Sallie Krawcheck is a practical guide focused on empowering women in the workplace by leveraging their unique strengths. Krawcheck uses her extensive experience in the financial industry to outline how women can turn perceived disadvantages into assets, especially in the rapidly changing world of work. She addresses systemic barriers, encourages self-advocacy, and provides actionable strategies for financial and career advancement. The book is both a motivational and tactical manual, urging women to embrace their distinct qualities rather than assimilate into a traditionally male-centric business world.

Life-Changing Lessons

1. Recognize and leverage uniquely female strengths, such as collaboration, relationship-building, and risk awareness, as business assets.

2. Take ownership of your career and financial future by proactively seeking opportunities, asking for what you deserve, and not waiting for recognition.

3. Build a strong network—both inside and outside your organization—and use it not just for career advancement but also as a source of support, advocacy, and learning.

Publishing year and rating

The book was published in: 2017

AI Rating (from 0 to 100): 87

Practical Examples

1. Turning empathy into a business advantage

   Krawcheck explains how women’s empathy and interpersonal skills, often undervalued in traditional workplaces, are now sought after in the modern economy. She shares a story about how these traits can improve team performance and drive innovation, noting that companies with more women in leadership roles perform better financially.

2. Negotiating for higher pay

   The book details practical tactics for negotiating salary, including how to prepare your case and overcome internal resistance to self-advocacy. Krawcheck underscores the importance of knowing your worth and not shying away from salary discussions, sharing how even a small negotiation can have a huge compounding effect over a career.

3. Networking strategically

   Krawcheck provides step-by-step strategies to cultivate a network beyond immediate colleagues, encouraging women to seek mentors, sponsors, and peer supporters. She outlines the difference between networking for transactions and networking for relationships, urging the latter as a path to enduring career support and visibility.

4. Investing and financial empowerment

   The author walks through the value of women taking control of personal finances, highlighting data that shows how women tend to outperform men as investors. She encourages readers to start investing with whatever resources they have, demystifying the process and stressing that financial knowledge is essential power.

5. Owning mistakes and learning publicly

   Krawcheck recounts some of her own high-profile missteps in the male-dominated finance world and illustrates how owning up to mistakes, admitting vulnerability, and shifting course publicly can build trust and resilience. This transparency, she argues, sets a new standard for leadership and helps dismantle unrealistic expectations.