Machiavelli For Women

Defend Your Worth, Grow Your Ambition, and Win the Workplace

By: Stacey Vanek Smith

Narrated by: Stacey Vanek Smith

2022 BUSINESS/PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AUDIE AWARD WINNER!

From the NPR host of The Indicator and correspondent for Planet Money comes an “accessible, funny, clear-eyed, and practical” (Sarah Knight, New York Times bestselling author) guide for how women can apply the principles of 16th-century philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli to their work lives and finally shatter the glass ceiling—perfect for fans of Feminist Fight Club, Lean In, and Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office.

Women have been making strides towards equality for decades, or so we’re often told. They’ve been increasingly entering male-dominated areas of the workforce and consistently surpassing their male peers in grades, university attendance, and degrees. They’ve recently stormed the political arena with a vengeance. But despite all of this, the payoff is—quite literally—not there: the gender pay gap has held steady at about 20% since 2000. And the number of female CEOs for Fortune 500 companies has actually been declining.

So why, in the age of #MeToo and #TimesUp, is the glass ceiling still holding strong? And how can we shatter it for once and for all? Stacy Vanek Smith’s advice: ask Machiavelli “with this delicious look at what we have to gain by examining our relationship to power” (Sally Helgesen, New York Times bestselling author).

Using The Prince as a guide and with charm and wit, Smith applies Renaissance politics to the 21st century, and demonstrates how women can take and maintain power in careers where they have long been cast as second-best. “Machiavelli For Women is the ultimate battle guide for our times. Brimming with hard-boiled strategies, laced with wit, it’s a must-read for every woman ready to wield power unapologetically” (Claire Shipman, coauthor of The Confidence Code).

Critic reviews

"NPR host Smith brings in current research and interviews to illuminate current applications. With her fast-paced, conversational tone, she delivers helpful strategies for women to deal with carrying out negotiations, garnering respect, building confidence, and gaining support. She candidly shares her own experiences and provides helpful tips and cautions. The chapter on negotiation is particularly impactful."

Just what I needed

I appreciate her approach to winning in the workplace. It’s refreshing and not the same as the other women and leadership books I’ve been listening to.

Truly a must-read for all women

Truly a must read for all women whether in business or not. I was slow to start this book, but I eventually it was enrapturing I was staying in the car longer just to finish a chapter. I’m now on my second read through of this book. Excellent!

Genius

I learned and studied Machiavelli my freshman year of university and literally could not stop admiring his genius, the way he looked at situations from a lense no one had used before him and Stacey used her study of Machiavelli's Prince and life, and did a genius job applying it to the struggles and barriers that women of all walks of life, face in the work place. she also makes you feel inspired, so much that when she exclaims, "yes, yes, and yes," you're saying, "he'll, yeah!!". (now I gotta buy the book and do some deep dives into some points that applied to me, more so, than others. thank you, Stacey!❤️

Like a big sister explaining

Stacey is your big sister giving you the reality check you can't see on your own. It's hard to hear, but truth now from one who's been there is better than dismay and lack of preparation later. And if you don't like how it feels, she's got the research to back up her report and her suggestions. And, you'll appreciate Machiavelli too!

Loved it!

Wonderful book about what women can do in the workplace to succeed, including data about trade-offs. Despite the implications of the title, this book does not suggest anything morally compromising. I have already started putting recommendations into practice at work, and seem good results. I especially love the chapter on negotiating salary and promotions because there is some wonderful scripts to use.