Overcome the invisible barriers that hold women back at work
2020
Silver Medal
5 Months on the Business Bestsellers list
March book
of the Month
March book
of the Month
Based on King’s more than 16 years of research and exclusive interviews with major companies and thought leaders, ‘THE FIX: Overcome the Invisible Barriers that are Holding Women Back at Work’ reveals the truth behind what’s holding women back at work and provides a clear roadmap for women to navigate the flawed workplace to find success on their own terms. King’s research reveals that the one thing holds women back above all else is gender denial. By denying gender inequality, we’re preventing women and minorities from getting to that corner office.
In this book, King reveals the hidden factors that women encounter at work every day, but don’t even see. Because of ingrained gender stereotypes, women who speak up or assert themselves are seen as pushy. Women who ask for a pay raise are difficult. Women who spend hours networking don’t get the same career benefits as men do. Unlike men, women cannot just go to work, do their jobs and expect to advance. Fixing women isn’t the answer – women aren’t broken. Women are capable, innovative, team players, and exceptional leaders. Women deserve workplaces that support, enable and encourage them to succeed.
By elucidating the hidden barriers that are holding women back at all stages of their career, THE FIX: Overcome the Invisible Barriers that are Holding Women Back at Work provides women – and male allies – with a clear set of take-aways to thrive despite the inherently gendered workplace, and a plan to bring about change from within.
Gender equality is not about women, and it is not about men – it is about making workplaces work for everyone. Together, we can fix work, not women.
The Fix outlines how inequality works in workplaces. It details the barriers inequality creates to all individuals’ advancement and fulfilment at work.
The book outline 17 barriers all women face throughout their career because workplaces devalue their differences, and importantly what we can do to remove them.
The Fix also outlines the six key barriers to advancement and fulfilment that men face because of inequality at work.
Leaders can solve the inequality they create by taking action to build workplaces that work for everyone. The book details case studies, examples and actions of what works when it comes to advancing gender equality in organizations.
Finally The Fix details why it is imperative we fix inequality like our futures depend on it (because they do!).
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“Hammers home the point that employers are responsible for creating safe workplaces for women and for protecting them from not just harassment but also other forms of discrimination and threats to advancement.”
"A welcome addition to the growing chorus of voices calling out the system rather than individual women for workplace gender inequity… a thoughtful, thorough, often enraging look at a broken system delivers a resounding and memorable message: ‘Women are not the problem.’”
"While the focus is on women in this book, King is not blind to others facing barriers too - men themselves who deviate from the Don Draper model, for example, and others who are perceived as not fitting in. Fixing the workplace to help women will lead to fixing the workplace for all because, King concludes, 'it is the only way companies will survive the inevitable changes to come.'"
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Listen to The Fix as it’s meant to be heard, narrated by Michelle P. King.
Buy The Fix book
In this fascinating and empowering book, King outlines the invisible barriers that hold women back at all stages of their careers.
Take up the challenge
Here you will find 100 actions you can take to advance equality, equity, sustainability, belonging and inclusion at work.
About Michelle
A globally recognized expert on inequality and organizational culture
Michelle King, Ph.D is a published, award-winning academic and thought leader who helps companies and leaders build belonging at work. She regularly hosts keynotes, fireside chats and masterclasses with companies such as Amazon, FIFA, Guardian, Dior, FedEx, Netflix, BNP Paribas, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley and MetLife to name a few.
“So much about the world of work—from workplace culture to our definition of success—was created by men, and it's not working for women or indeed for men. And it’s no surprise that women pay a disproportionately high price for their participation. That’s why The Fix is so important. It’s a passionate, practical roadmap for addressing inequality and finally making our workplaces work for women.”
Arianna Huffington, founder of Thrive Global 
“Michelle King has written a book that is more than necessary today. With its clarity and common sense, its passion and practicality, it is a vital piece calling for a workplace that actually works for women. Michelle provides actions to take that do not succumb to the notion of 'fixing' women. Calling for accountability in what too often is a toxic environment is only as important as offering ways to bring about real change in that environment. Michelle writes with elegance and precision, inviting us all in to be better informed and better understood.”
Meredith Walker, founder of Amy Poehler's Smart Girls 
“The Fix offers men the chance to unlearn some of the behaviors that harm us, and those around us, and invites us to shed the notion of who we are ‘supposed’ to be so we can do the meaningful work of learning who we truly are... King’s book is a compelling read for all men and organizations who want to do better and are unsure of where to start.”
Justin Baldoni, actor and founder of Wayfarer Entertainment 
“The Fix is a powerful and essential read which challenges the dominant mindset regarding women's capabilities and the high cost of false narratives which prevent them from succeeding at a level commensurate with their aptitude and skills. Insightful and thoroughly engaging, Michelle King provides practical solutions for bringing about tangible and lasting change, as well as an impassioned argument for equity that moves beyond the current discourse on women in the workplace.”
Dr. Nina Ansary, author, scholar, and UN Women Global Champion for Innovation 
“We grow up with our mothers nursing, feeding, nurturing, guiding, reading, teaching, mentoring, and protecting us. Yet, for some reason we seem to forget that we wouldn’t be the men we are today without the women in our lives. What are we afraid of? Are we worried that we can’t handle the competition, we can’t seriously think we are better, can we? One can only hope that books like this will be read by men and women alike and that we can stop living in fear that only one gender can win.”
Nigel Barker, fashion photographer and TV personality 
“Daring, thoughtful, and challenging! For all who want a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, read this book today.”
Michael Kaufman, author of The Time Has Come 
“The Fix is in! Michelle King offers a lively, practical guide to achieving equality in the workplace—and shows how that benefits both men and women. Her insightful book explains why so many well-intentioned diversity programs fail, and lays out proven steps that will help all of us succeed.”
Joanne Lipman, CNBC contributor and bestselling author of That's What She Said 
“Michelle King candidly shares her own personal experiences and decades of research to reveal the invisible barriers women face at work. Drawing on her exposure to companies that are structured to enable only men to succeed, she suggests that our denial towards gender inequality is hurting women, and challenges the idea that women can improve their way to success. Bravely, Michelle offers the essential message that women are extraordinary as they are, and don’t need fixing—workplaces do.”
Tamara Mellon, OBE, co-founder of Jimmy Choo and founder of Tamara Mellon 
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