Table of Contents

Testimonials
Acknowledgments
Forewords
Introduction
Methodology
Before We Begin
A Few Good Men
Women Leaders on Boards
Women leaders are like immigrants…
Trait 1: LEADERSHIP
Trait 2: EDUCATION
Trait 3: ADVICE
Trait 4: DIVERSITY
Trait 5: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Trait 6: RESILIENCE
Trait 7: SIDEBAR
References
Articles of Interest
What's Your Next Move?
Compile Your Route Map
About the Author
This is Not the End
Resources

About the Author

Dr. Yvonne Thompson CBE spent over 30 years working in the communications industry. During most of this time she campaigned for minorities, small business owners and closest to her heart, race and women’s equality in the workplace, especially the boardroom. Having spent nearly half that time being the only woman on a board with nine men, at Choice FM (the UK’s first legal black music radio station, now Capital Xtra), she experienced at first-hand how lonely being at the top can be for a woman. Having decided to share her experience, thoughts, hints, tips and advice to help other aspiring women, she spent a year researching and talking to other highly successful women in boardrooms. She chose 22 women’s stories to share with readers. With this book, she moves the women on boards conversation from being facts and figures to an easily accessible and achievable read that both women and men can aspire to.

Reviews

The more books like this that are written, the more that is discussed, the more that people look at the subject of women
on boards, the more progress we will make.
*Lord Davies, Chairman, Women On Boards Report*

Gender, race, class, ethnicity - too many boards are lacking the diversity that makes good business sense as well as being socially just. The women that Yvonne Thompson has interviewed all share persistence, drive and talent and that should give a welcome spur to others. It’s more than time that boards justified why they turn their
backs on such a wealth of ability.
*Yvonne Roberts, Chief Leader Writer, The Observer*

I think this is an area where there is no monopoly of wisdom. I know that from some of the work that we have done in the 30% Club where we have pooled a lot of information and a lot of research, there is great interest between organisations on what’s working and what’s not working because none of us have found any of the answers, so anything we can add to that body of research frankly is welcomed.
*David Cruickshank, Chairman Deloitte*

I read Yvonne’s book with a highlighter in hand - lots of great advice and words of wisdom that I want to revisit. In order
to encourage and inspire more women to set their sights on corporate boards, we need to increase the profile of and access to those women who are already there. This book does just that, bringing their stories and experiences to life. We are making progress, but we can’t afford to lose momentum. We have to keep this discussion very much in the mainstream.
*Brenda Trenowden, President, City Women Network and Managing Director, ANZ*

The 7 Traits of Highly Successful Women On Boards is a must read for women and men in the workplace. It highlights the real
life challenges that face women in the workplace AND most importantly how they have overcome them. What I love most about this book is that it makes the boardroom accessible, it is inclusive and provides real models rather than role models. I believe that this book will stimulate a significant increase in the number of women who aspire to have a seat in the boardroom and the number of men who welcome them. Thompson’s lessons from the boardroom are refreshingly authentic and unapologetic, a perfect antidote to the fix of women’s literature.
*Jenny Garrett, Award Winning Coach and Author of Rocking Your Role*

This book can inspire more women to come back into their careers with enthusiasm, and in turn can gravitate to the board room, or young women to continue with their careers. I hope it will inspire them to go for it because the need is there and the demand is there. We need approximately 250 more women into those board rooms to reach the 25% target over the next couple of years. I’d like to congratulate you on writing this book the timing is excellent and I think it will be an inspiration.
*Sir John Parker, Chairman Anglo American*

Yvonne Thompson tackles an important and topical issue, in an original and thoughtful way. The women she has interviewed are from a diverse mix of backgrounds, experience and skills. Yet, they have all beaten the odds in getting to where they sit today. The author has teased out synergies and differences to present a compelling read. Society – and business – cannot afford to sit back and wait for more women to gain board experience. We need to be proactive in this area. This book plays a part in highlighting the issue and offering insight into possible solutions.
*Professor Alison Wride, Provost, GSM London*

I have to admit that I am not a fan of biographies. However, this book has defied my prejudice. There is something in this book for everyone. The book combines biographical storytelling, personal insights and honest advice-provision. Yvonne has enabled individual personalities and personal philosophies to shine through whilst also pulling together common themes and packaging up useful lessons in a neat format. The very diverse range of experiences and insights from 22 highly talented women have been presented in an engaging and enlightening format, so that any would be female careerist can learn something from this book and apply it to her own success whether she is aiming for the boardroom or not. The positive energy demonstrated by these leaders, through thick and thin, is the residing take-away message for me. A positive mind-set has fuelled these women’s adaptation to changing circumstances and sustained their personal and professional growth. They all demonstrate a very down-to-earth attitude about their success and their mindfulness of their impact on those around them is the hallmark of an authentic leader. An interesting read for any woman wanting to learn from real life experience.
*Rachel Short, Director YSC London*