This is a hands-on playbook that’s packed with ideas, tools and case studies to support women who want to connect with the courageous, confident version of themselves in their professional and personal lives.

Gala Jackson, an executive career and leadership development coach, takes readers on a journey across the three sections of the book (Courage, Clarity and Confidence), sharing a blend of insights and practical assessments and activities, inviting the reader to deep dive into each of these areas.

Using her ASCEND model, Gala guides the reader through a comprehensive and thought-provoking review of strengths, values and experience.  All these steps help you shape your unique story and to reach a point where “you know, value and trust yourself to navigate any room, circumstance or conversation” and you’re not seeking external validation.

The ASCEND model gives us a clear pathway to both define our own definition of success and move towards it:

Acknowledge what’s no longer working
Study your strengths
Connect with your values
Explore your experiences
Nurture your voice
Determine to embody the strongest, boldest most courageous version of yourself

Working through the book step-by-step there is a real opportunity to increase self-awareness, which, in turn, helps to build confidence.  Knowing ourselves better means that we can find the confidence to build our own story, develop our own voice and have the power to use it, authentically.

The background Gala provides about the unique state of women and work – including the perspective for women of colour – as well as the anecdotes she shares from her own experiences and those of her clients, brings all this to life. It demonstrates what’s really possible when we commit to exploring and embracing change.

When we step away from thinking about ourselves and work in the context of the traditional patriarchal structures that largely benefit men and using the approaches that that author shares in this book, it can give us the space to start to explore and embrace our potential.

In a working world that feels increasingly challenging for women, Gala’s book offers an invitation to step back, recalibrate and really reconnect with ourselves and help drive change. Everything in this book will help to build courage, clarity and confidence in every aspect of our lives – and not just the professional.

Published by Wiley

Jo Twiselton, Change coach & consultant, founder of Twist Consultants