Celebrating International Women’s Day 2023 with a Book Club 📖

On March 8, we’re celebrating International Women’s Day! 🎉

Last year, we hosted a panel discussion on “Lead Like a Man” for IWD 2022 (you can find the recording here).

This year, we’re starting an International Women’s Day Book Club! 📖

During the panel discussion as well as on a regular basis via other channels, the question of book recommendations came up. And now, we’re exploring possible answers for this question: 7 amazing idealos selected recommended books and will host idealo-internal sessions to discuss them in March. Some sessions will be in English, some in German, some remote, some on-site. Some books will inspire, others might polarize. And that’s okay. Let’s discuss together!

Here’s what we’re reading:

• Erin Meyer — The Culture Map
• Brené Brown — Dare to Lead
• Caroline Criado-Perez — Invisible Women
• Glennon Doyle — Untamed
• Liz Fosslien, Mollie West Duffy — No Hard Feelings
• Carol S. Dweck — Mindset: The Psychology of Success
• Elizabeth Lesser — Cassandra Speaks

Meet our Book Club session facilitators and learn more about the books they chose:

Joanna reads Erin Meyer — The Culture Map

“In “The Culture Map,” Erin Meyer presents a framework that makes it easier for us to visually categorize cultures. This is helpful when working in multicultural contexts, so we can better understand ourselves and the people around us. Companies are becoming increasingly international, with more collaboration between multicultural teams. This leads to more diversity and consequently, often more misunderstandings. Therefore, it is very important to me that collaboration works well at a communication level. The main takeaway from this book is that it’s not just about cultures, but about each and every one of us. It helps us understand ourselves and how we communicate with others.” (Joanna, Agile Coach at idealo)

Aazmi reads Brené Brown — Dare to Lead

“The book talks majoritively about vulnerability. How can leaders, especially, show vulnerability without feeling uncomfortable that it would be seen as a weakness? In my 16 years of career, I have been an Agile Coach for seven. I’ve coached a lot of leaders, shown them, and influenced them on how to be daring leaders even before I knew the term. When I came into contact with Brené Brown’s TED Talk, The Power of Vulnerability, it just led me down the rabbit hole, and “Dare to Lead” is one of my favorite books of hers. My biggest takeaway from the book is the difference between armored leadership and daring leadership.” (Aazmi, Team Lead PT at idealo)

Katy reads Caroline Criado-Perez — Invisible Women

“The book describes how the world we live in as women has been designed and constructed for men. “Invisible Women” discusses the consequences of this for women and what still needs to improve and change. The topic is very relevant because the examples that the author describes can serve as important food for thought to get even deeper into the topic of women’s equality. For example, how much space we as women take up in the world, linguistically, politically and also physically.” (Katy, Senior Brand and Communications Manager UK at idealo)

Natalie reads Glennon Doyle — Untamed

“There are a lot of things I took away from “Untamed,” but one of the main elements was Doyle’s take on white feminism. She really showed the elements of what it is to be a white woman, and the privileges associated with that. It was really eye-opening to me and clarifying what white feminism really means in today’s world.” (Natalie, Team Lead PT at idealo)

Mahtab reads Liz Fosslien, Mollie West Duffy — No Hard Feelings

“This book is good for anyone who wants to improve their knowledge on emotional intelligence and for those who want to create a better work environment for themselves and for others. “No Hard Feelings” argues that embracing emotions rather than suppressing them or ignoring them can lead us to a more productive and fulfilling work environment.” (Mahtab, Team Lead PT at idealo)

Duygu reads Carol S. Dweck — Mindset: The Psychology of Success

“The book mentions two different mindsets of success: fixed and growth mindsets. Fixed-mindset people believe they should have certain talents to become successful, whereas in growth mindset, people believe they can be successful in any desired area with conscious behaviors. My key takeaway from “Mindset: The Psychology of Success” is growth mindset is actually continuous learning. It’s like a good virus that when you see it, you cannot unsee it. It grows into all aspects of your life.” (Duygu, Product Owner at idealo)

Franzi reads Elizabeth Lesser — Cassandra Speaks

“If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be thought-provoking. “Cassandra Speaks” challenges us, especially as women, to consider when we feel like we’re being silenced or silenced. Where this is coming from, if this is from a story that we’ve been told through our culture or through just real stories, or if this is an active decision. Reading this book made me question and reflect on how we in the Western EU live by the definition of power, and if it shouldn’t be more constructive and empathetic.” (Franzi, People Business Partner at idealo)

Have you read any of the books listed? If yes, how did you like them? And which books would you add to the reading list? Let us know in the comments!

Want to know more about Diversity & Inclusion at idealo? Check out our career website.