Powerfully Likeable

Powerfully Likeable

A Woman's Guide to Effective Communication

About the Book

A groundbreaking new roadmap for female success—how to be influential, respected, and well-liked at work, at home, and beyond—from a leading business coach and communication expert.

Women the world over struggle to find a comfortable way to communicate with authority but yet still be liked by a crowd. We grapple with being ambitious without seeming strident, giving direction without being too assertive, and holding our ground without upsetting the peace. We strategize before meetings, second-guess in bathroom stalls, text outfit options to our best friends, and try to anticipate every possible variable of our performance. This tricky business is what world champion debater and executive coach, Kate Mason, calls “communicating while female” and frankly, it seems like it’s impossible to get it right.

Until now. In Powerfully Likeable, Mason explains that being influential and well-liked is not an either/or proposition. Furthermore, she shows that to have it both ways, women don’t have to imitate what men do; gaining respect doesn’t mean having the loudest voice in the room or the firmest handshake. Instead, the key is to choose communication tools that amplify what makes you unique—whether that be warmth, humor, competitiveness, or a love of data—and wield your power from a place of authenticity. From personal presentation style and negotiation to handling adversarial conversations and becoming your own best advocate, Mason offers a game-changing toolkit of strategies to choose from and make your own, including:
  • Scripts for owning your accomplishments instead of downplaying them and defending your ideas without being defensive.
  • How to use clear logic, evidence, and debate strategies to ask and answer clear questions without appearing 'difficult.’
  • Tips for overcoming “Imposing Syndrome”—the disease of playing small and not taking up space—and channeling warmth as an alternative to deference in conversation.
  • How to regulate your body language, voice, and your words to find your true communicative power. 

A paradigm-shifting guide to dismantling and thinking beyond communication stereotypes, Powerfully Likeable will help you unleash your creative power and energy and embark on a journey of success on your own terms.
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Praise for Powerfully Likeable

“The competence-likeability bias is an absurd catch-22, but never fear! In this compelling, compassionate, and funny read, Mason shows you how to break free.”—Kim Scott, New York Times bestselling author of Radical Candor

Powerfully Likeable is the empowering playbook so many of us have been waiting for: a road map to own our power without compromising our authenticity.”—Fran Hauser, author of The Myth of the Nice Girl

Powerfully Likeable will help you find your voice and your presence without changing who you are. . . . A must-read for every woman!”—Amy Diehl, PhD, co-author of Glass Walls

“At last—a liberating manifesto for unboxing your true self while winning over your audience . . . Powerfully Likeable will change how you connect, lead, and show up in every corner of your life.”—Bonnie Wan, author of The Life Brief

“Kate Mason equips us with the tools we need to embrace our power and presence without alienating and distancing others. . . . Not only a must-read, but a must-share as well.”—Matt Abrahams, author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter

“A blend of research and real talk, Powerfully Likeable is bold, smart, and deeply practical. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to shrink or smooth your edges to be accepted, this is the book you’ve been waiting for. It’s a game changer.”—Reshma Saujani, author of Pay Up

Powerfully Likeable speaks directly to women who want to lead with strength and heart, without losing themselves along the way. . . . A seriously helpful read for any woman charting her own path in today’s unpredictable world.”—Kirstin Ferguson, PhD, author of Women Kind
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About the Author

Kate Mason, PhD
Kate Mason, PhD is a communications expert and world-champion debater who has spent her career working with founders and executives from tech startups to major global brands. She coaches executives on actionable skills to become the leaders they wish to be, and to amplify their voice, reach, and impact at work. Kate lives in Sydney, Australia. More by Kate Mason, PhD
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