Work Diva: How to Climb the Corporate Ladder Without Selling Your Soul is a book by Kim Meredith. The book explores the obstacles facing working women of today and deals with the realities of being a woman in the workplace. It illustrates how financial independence is vital in achieving self-actualisation and also explores stereotypes and attitudes, changing outlooks and the children-versus-career issue.
Summary
The book examines the basics that women need, to empower themselves in the workplace. The author skims over the history of women’s oppression and delves into corporate issues, touching on negotiation skills, sexual harassment in the workplace and the value of mentoring.
Amongst some of the topics covered in the book are:
Working hard and working smart
Saying what one means and meaning what one says
Keeping one’s word
Telling the truth, despite the consequences
Taking responsibility for one’s actions
The making of difficult decisions
Treating others with respect
The book also lists eleven advantages of being a woman in business and touches on aspects such as feminine wiles, women’s intuition, perceptiveness, insight and flexibility, whilst offering guidelines to workplace romance.
Criticism and reviews
Cindy Moritz, a contributing journalist to all4women.co.za, said, “Work Diva is designed for women who aren’t afraid to tone and shape their careers, whether they’re at the start, in the middle or at the peak of their profession”. According to Paballo Mosiane of Young Movers & Shakers magazine, the book aims to bring out the best in women so that they can make it in the male-dominated corporate world. Fia Minchener of JSE magazine described the book as tongue-in-cheek and humorous.