4th Estate
An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
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This eBook first published in Great Britain by 4th Estate in 2018
Copyright © Mishal Husain 2018
Mishal Husain asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work
Graphs here, here and here redrawn by Martin Brown; images here redrawn by Joe Bright.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
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Source ISBN: 9780008220631
Ebook Edition © September 2018 ISBN: 9780008220648
Version: 2018-08-16
For my parents, Shama and Tazi
Contents
My journey to this book • Overcoming doubt • Finding my courage
Representation of women • Understanding the gaps • Socialisation
How we talk about girls and women • Stereotyping • Imagery • Reclaiming ambition
Longer working lives • Role models and inspiration • Five-year plans • Learning from those around you
Information-gathering • Critical thinking • Challenging your beliefs • Evaluations and judgements
Navigating the first years on the career ladder • Processes that build confidence • Breaks from work and re-establishing yourself afterwards
Voice, clarity and emphasis • Public speaking • The written word
Body language • Occupying space • First impressions
Social media opportunities and pitfalls • Women in technology • Making the internet more representative • Trolling
Apprehension and anxiety • The importance of practice • Focusing on the immediate task
Big moments and high-pressure scenarios • Appraisals and evaluations • Making a pitch
Developing authority • Mastering your brief • Demonstrating your knowledge
Dealing with scrutiny and criticism • Knockbacks and failures • Learning but not losing your nerve
Managing the different elements of your life • Banishing guilt • Thinking long-term
Direct, persistent, purposeful. Or: uncertain, uneasy, doubtful. One of these sets of words reflects what is required to succeed in my line of work, especially amid pressure to generate