Powerfully Likeable: A Woman's Guide to Better Communication

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.

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

Women all over the world struggle to communicate with authority yet still be liked by a crowd. We strategize before meetings, second-guess in bathroom stalls, text outfit options to our best friends, and try to anticipate every possible variable. 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 women don’t have to imitate what men do; gaining respect doesn’t mean having the loudest voice 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 tool kit of strategies, including

• scripts for owning your accomplishments instead of downplaying them and defending your ideas without being defensive
• methods for using 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
• techniques to regulate your body language, voice, and words to find your true communicative power

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

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.