Likeable Badass - by Alison Fragale (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Behavioral scientist Alison Fragale offers powerful new insights and a practical playbook for women to advance in any workplace, full of tips, tricks, and strategies to help secure that elusive corner office.Over decades of research, speaking engagements, and mentorship, psychologist and professor Alison Fragale encountered recurring questions from high powered and early career women alike: How do women thread the needle of kindness and competence in the workplace? How can women earn credit for their accomplishments, negotiate better, and navigate complex office politics without losing the goodwill of their peers? Fragale investigated and determined that many women's workplace issues boil down to the perception of others. No degree, title, or paycheck will raise a woman's workplace stature unless it also affects how other people respect and regard her. Acknowledging this roadblock, Fragale pulls back the curtain on how we can change how others see us by developing our standing as a "likeable badass." By cultivating perceptions of warmth and assertiveness, women can achieve the kind of reputation that leads to a seat at the table and a fulfilling career path. Likeable Badass is equal parts behavioral science and life hacks, weaving together rigorous research with actionable advice and impactful stories from a diverse array of women. This is a warm, heartening book written for women of all stripes, as well as their allies, who want evidence-based, practical strategies for success, served with a side of inspiration and humor"--

Book Synopsis

Behavioral scientist Alison Fragale offers powerful new insights and a practical playbook for women to advance in any workplace, full of tips, tricks, and strategies to help secure that elusive corner office.

Over decades of research, speaking engagements, and mentorship, psychologist and professor Alison Fragale encountered recurring questions from high powered and early career women alike: How do women thread the needle of kindness and competence in the workplace? How can women earn credit for their accomplishments, negotiate better, and navigate complex office politics without losing the goodwill of their peers?

Fragale investigated and determined that many women's workplace issues boil down to what psychologists call status: the perception of them by others. No amount of power-- no degree, title, or paycheck-- will raise a woman's workplace stature unless it also affects how others see her. Acknowledging this roadblock, Fragale pulls back the curtain on how we can change how others see us by developing our standing as a "likeable badass." By cultivating perceptions of warmth and assertiveness, women can achieve the kind of reputation that leads to a seat at the table and a fulfilling career path.

Likeable Badass is equal parts behavioral science and life hacks, weaving together rigorous research with actionable advice and impactful stories from a diverse array of women. This is a warm, heartening book written for women, their allies, and anyone who struggles to rise, and wants evidence-based, practical strategies for success, served with a side of inspiration and humor.

Review Quotes

"The ultimate guide for women to achieve their goals. Drawing on her brilliant research and extensive experience, Alison Fragale reveals how to overcome the tradeoff between likeability and competence. But it's not just for women--it's a must-read for anyone who wants to be a better colleague, mentor, parent, or partner to half the population." --Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Potential and Think Again, and host of the TED podcast WorkLife

"In Likeable Badass, Alison Fragale dives deep into the science behind gender bias and stereotypes -- and how we can challenge them. With warmth, humor, and powerful personal stories, she provides women with actionable advice for achieving greater success in the workplace." --Sheryl Sandberg, New York Times bestselling author of Lean In

"In her deeply-researched and business-savvy book, Fragale shatters the conventional wisdom about power, status, and the path to professional success. Her strategies for gaining advocates are brilliant -- and her blueprint for strategic self-promotion will have you rereading this invaluable guide over and over." --Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Power of Regret, Drive, and To Sell Is Human

"Too many women feel trapped in the competence-likeability catch-22. Likeable Badass will help you break free of that nonsense, do the best work of your life, and build the best relationships of your career." --Kim Scott, New York Times bestselling author of Radical Candor and Radical Respect

"Such an important book! By focusing on status and respect, Fragale changes women's perception of power. Backed up by years of scientific research, she shows how to play to our strengths to get what we so deserve." --Katty Kay, New York Times bestselling co-author of The Confidence Code

"Alison Fragale hits it out of the park with this deeply practical, science-backed read, full of easy-to-implement strategies to increase your status, power, and influence. I loved this book!" --Annie Duke, bestselling author of Thinking in Bets and Quit

"A must-read for every woman seeking to thrive. With clarity and wit, Fragale provides incisive insights and incredibly practical advice that will help women tackle the challenges they face. Filled with 'a-ha' moments, Likeable Badass equips women with tools to navigate biases and emerge empowered, at any stage of life." --Amy Gallo, cohost of HBR's Women at Work podcast and author of Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People)

"Before I had even finished reading Likeable Badass, I had already put my learnings to work three times. Talk about an ROI! Entertaining, actionable, and eye-opening. One of the most personally transformative behavioral science books I have ever read." --Dolly Chugh, author of A More Just Future and The Person You Mean to Be

"Essential reading for every woman who aspires to make a difference. Likeable Badass shows us how to cultivate our unique capacity and power to drive the change we want to see in the world." --Ai-jen Poo, Executive Director of Caring Across Generations and President of the National Domestic Workers Alliance

About the Author

ALISON FRAGALE is the Mary Farley Ames Lee Distinguished Scholar of Organizational Behavior at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Her scholarship has been published in the most prestigious academic journals in her field, and featured in prominent media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Financial Times, Boston Globe, and Inc. A sought-after keynote speaker, she lives in Chicago with her family.