Breaking the Gender Code, by Danielle Dobson

New book based on extensive research explores the hidden codes holding women back, and how we can rewrite them.

Key points:
● Explores the pressures facing women, informed by the Wonders of Women in Leadership research project.
● Myths around perfectionism and 'having it all' are acting as barriers to success.
● Women who are lead parents and also leaders at work bring invaluable skills to the table, and are highly effective in leadership positions - as shown by recently released research into the value of women in leadership.
● We all have what we need within us already. By resetting our code, we can create a life which fits with our core values, resources and priorities, rather than striving for someone else's version of success.

Are you conforming to the gender codes which govern our society? What if there was a way to reset the outdated gender stereotypes and write your own unique code for life?

Author Danielle Dobson explores the hidden codes governing women, in her new book Breaking the Gender Code.

Sharing strategies for women to create the life they want, with what they already have, Breaking the Gender Code was inspired by Danielle's two-year research project into the Wonders of Women in Leadership.

Her book explores the pressures being faced by women, and provides empowering tools for rewriting a code for life, based on personal values, resources and priorities.

"From a very young age, women are programmed to behave a certain way, and praised for fitting into a standard mould. From the games girls are encouraged to play, to the behaviours being modelled to them, we're perpetuating the myth that women are genetically coded to be nurturing carers, while men are out killing the mammoth," says Danielle.

"But if you go back far enough in history you'll find the divisions between the roles of men and women weren't as clear-cut as we've been led to believe, and we're more similar than we are different."

As a 'closet single mum' raising three boys full time with minimal help from her former husband, Danielle found herself questioning the reality of what was achievable for women in the balance between work, life and family, after the breakdown of her marriage forced her to re-evaluate her place in the world.

"Women seem to be feeling trapped in a myth, believing they should aspire to have it all, and depleting themselves in the process. They're so conflicted between working and parenting that they're overstretched, and feel judgment, shame and guilt as a result," says Danielle.

"Sadly, one of the most common themes through the research I conducted was that women who looked like 'Wonder Woman' on the outside, really didn't see themselves as worthy of the title. They find it much easier to see the brilliance in others than in themselves."

Focused on women who lead in their careers, and are also the lead parents in their families, Danielle's book looks at the shared skills between leadership and parenting, and why mothers bring invaluable skills to the table in positions of leadership at work.

"Corporate hierarchies have been designed with men in mind. They aren't set-up as places where women can thrive, so we're working twice as hard to achieve at work, while also taking on the pressures of everything outside of work to help our families flourish. But as women and mothers, we bring amazing skills to the corporate world, which organisations stand to benefit from if women are given access to the pathways to success."

Full of relatable stories throughout from Danielle herself and the many women (and a few men) she interviewed for her research, Breaking the Gender Code, is an empowering book, which will inspire readers to look at their own lives and the competing pressures they're managing with fresh eyes.

"Throughout the book, you'll find practical ways to release daily pressures, and workable tips on how to create your own code for living, which is shared by those around you as a common mission for success," says Danielle.

"Each of us has a unique context, and we need to create our own personal code based on our own strengths, resources, and realistic time and energy capacity."

Part memoir, part business book and part manual for navigating the modern world, Breaking the Gender Code offers a fresh perspective on why women shouldn't be striving to 'have it all'.

About the author:
Danielle Dobson is a speaker, author, facilitator and mother. As a CPA with extensive corporate experience, Danielle covered everything from private practice to multinationals.

Identifying the high levels of stress and overwhelm experienced personally and by others, Danielle wanted to make a difference. She pivoted from a corporate career and has been serving clients in the wellbeing space for the past seven years.

The mission drove Danielle to conduct a two-year research project interviewing over 50 women (and a few men) in leadership roles across a diverse range of industries, which became the basis for this book.