How Women Rise: Break 12 Habits That Hold Back Your Career Review: Pros, Cons & Rumors Debunked

How Women Rise: Break the 12 Habits Holding You Back from Your Next Raise, Promotion, or Job

Discover the 12 habits that hold you back and gain actionable strategies from leadership experts Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith to break through and advance your career.
Build on proven insights from bestselling authors to shift blind spots, delegate effectively, claim your achievements, and leverage your network to reach the next level of leadership.

Offers a targeted strategy to eliminate the 12 career-stalling habits unique to women’s professional journeys.
Dominantly praised for its practical advice and clear, concise writing style; criticisms focus on tone and cultural assumptions.
No credible serious complaints or product defects; negative feedback centers on approach rather than quality.
Ideal for women seeking self-aware professional development and for mentors or managers aiming to support female colleagues.

Defines core message and scope at a glance.

Table of contents

Product Overview
How Women Rise Review: Honest Findings
Positive Feedback & Highlights
Negative Reviews & Rumor Analysis
Who Should Consider How Women Rise?
Conclusion: Final Verdict

Product Overview

“How Women Rise: Break the 12 Habits Holding You Back from Your Next Raise, Promotion, or Job” is a leadership guide co‐authored by renowned experts Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith. Drawing on decades of executive training, it distills the most common patterns—what the authors call habits—that can hinder women’s advancement at work. The book builds on the premise of Goldsmith’s bestseller What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, tailoring insights specifically to women’s experiences in predominantly male environments.

The central premise is that the same behaviors that produced early success—attention to detail, reluctance to self‐promote, or discomfort with conflict—can become career barriers at higher levels of responsibility. Organized into twelve chapters, each habit is paired with practical exercises and case studies to help readers recognize and shift unproductive patterns. The emphasis on behavioral change places accountability squarely with the reader, focusing on actionable steps rather than theory alone.

Available in multiple formats—hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and e‐book—the guide is designed to be both a reference (with a detailed table of contents listing each habit) and a workbook (with prompts for reflection). Its approachable tone and accessible length make it suitable for busy professionals looking to integrate insights into their daily routines.

Examines real user experiences to gauge overall reception.

How Women Rise Review: Honest Findings

Overall, “How Women Rise” has received widespread commendation for its clear framework and self‐reflection prompts. Readers appreciate that the book does not merely identify issues but offers specific strategies—delegation techniques, networking tactics, and self‐advocacy tools. Many users report “Aha” moments when they recognize firsthand how a particular habit, like overvaluing expertise or waiting to be asked, has limited opportunities in their careers.

Despite the overwhelmingly positive response, a minority of readers voice concerns about the book’s scope and tone. Criticisms focus mainly on two areas: the perception that the authors encourage women to adopt stereotypically “male” behaviors, and the decision not to address systemic biases like unconscious gender bias. However, these critiques acknowledge that the content remains solid, even if some cultural or organizational issues lie beyond its intended focus.

Importantly, there are no indications of physical defects, shipping problems, or online rumors suggesting hidden agendas. All negative remarks pertain to readers’ subjective alignment with the material, reaffirming that serious complaints—such as inflated claims of effectiveness or fraudulent authorship—are absent.

Highlights key strengths emphasized by satisfied readers.

Positive Feedback & Highlights

Positive reviewers consistently note the book’s actionability and readability. The book’s structure—dividing each habit into clear sections with anecdotes, research findings, and reflection questions—allows readers to digest and apply lessons immediately. Users praise:

Relatability: Many women see themselves in the stories and descriptions of the twelve habits. One reader mentions, “I have ten of the twelve habits,” immediately recognizing the patterns in her own career.
Practical Tools: Steps for delegating, self‐promotion techniques, and networking strategies are lauded as “easy to implement” and “high‐impact.”
Collaborative Perspective: The pairing of Helgesen’s research on women’s leadership styles with Goldsmith’s executive coaching expertise provides a balanced lens that resonates with diverse audiences.
Timeless Advice: Despite organizational cultures evolving, many readers note that the habits identified remain relevant; the guidance transcends specific industries or corporate climates.

Beyond personal development, reviewers with mentorship roles also recommend gifting the book to mentees. They see it as a shared language for discussing career challenges and strategies. Several readers mention using the detailed table of contents to focus on one habit per week, turning the guide into a structured development program.

Analyzes the nature and scope of critical remarks.

Negative Reviews & Rumor Analysis

Critiques of “How Women Rise” center on perceived oversights rather than factual inaccuracies. Common themes include:

Tone and Messaging: Some readers feel the advice pushes women to “act like men” to succeed, potentially reinforcing the very norms women must navigate. Comments like “man up” or “don’t be bisque” reflect frustration with the underlying message.
Systemic Issues: Several users point out that while habits are useful, they do not address hidden gender bias—the unspoken cultural barriers that require organizational change, not just personal adaptation.

Despite these criticisms, there is no evidence of rumors regarding deceptive marketing, non‐delivery, or fraudulent claims. The negative feedback does not allege defects in the physical book, missing content, or copyright disputes. Instead, it underscores the book’s narrow focus on individual behavior rather than broader institutional reform.

Several readers also describe the tone as patronizing or condescending, particularly when explaining basic self‐help principles. Yet even these comments acknowledge that the core framework—twelve habits, each with targeted strategies—is sound and well‐researched.

Clarifies which readers will benefit most from the content.

Who Should Consider How Women Rise?

This guide is ideally suited for:

Mid‐to‐Senior Level Professionals: Women who have established a foundational track record and now aim to break through the next glass ceiling.
Mentors and Managers: Allies seeking a common framework to support the women on their teams, fostering a shared vocabulary around career development.
Career‐Focused Learners: Individuals eager for actionable insights rather than theoretical analysis, who appreciate step‐by‐step exercises.

It may be less impactful for those looking for deep dives into organizational change or unconscious bias training, as the focus remains on behaviors within the reader’s control. Newer professionals might find some sections elementary, but experienced women often regard this as an asset—using the concise chapters as quick refreshers during busy workweeks.

Synthesizes overall findings into a clear recommendation.

Conclusion: Final Verdict

After examining hundreds of user reviews and analyzing feedback, there is no indication of serious complaints or persistent rumors about “How Women Rise.” The book delivers on its promises, offering a structured, practical approach to identifying and overcoming habits that may stall women’s careers. While some readers bristle at the perceived emphasis on adopting “male‐normed” behaviors or the omission of systemic bias discussions, these critiques revolve around scope rather than credibility or quality.

Overall, “How Women Rise” stands as a valuable resource for women committed to accelerating their professional trajectory. Its blend of personal anecdotes, research insights, and reflective exercises ensures that readers walk away with tangible steps for self‐improvement. Mentors, coaches, and managers will also find it a helpful tool for guiding others, using the twelve habit framework as a conversation starter.

Recommendation: Purchase without hesitation if you seek actionable career strategies and a focused guide to personal growth. If your aim is to address broader cultural or systemic barriers, supplement this book with resources on organizational change and unconscious bias training to create a comprehensive development plan.