
The Glass Wall
Success strategies for women at work - and businesses that mean business - 10th anniversary edition
Zed Books Ltd (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 17. September 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-1-350-60383-7 (ISBN)
Description
'Why it's time to break the rules to get ahead.' Marie Claire
'A no-nonsense guide to scaling the ranks.' The Times
Forget the glass ceiling - there's also a glass wall dividing men and women in the workplace, separating them in terms of career success. In this 10th anniversary edition, the authors look at what has changed for women in the workplace since 2016. Spoiler alert - not a lot.
The Glass Wall is a pragmatic guide to success for women at work. Since the first edition was published ten years ago, whilst there has been some meaningful progress, in some areas things have gone into reverse.
In this 10th anniversary edition, the authors examine the latest research and gauge whether things have improved or not for women at work since the #MeToo movement and the global pandemic, both causing seismic change. Every week brings new headlines that cause unease as much as reason to celebrate. Women still make up less than 10% of CEOs in FTSE 100 companies; a 2024 report by the Treasury Committee found that women in the city are still subject to shocking levels of sexual harassment and bullying; generative AI is sustaining stereotyped images and exacerbating inequity and the 'manosphere' is spawning a new generation of misogyny.
In terms of real power, both in government and at work, things haven't changed enough. Debates about the pros and cons of remote and hybrid working continue to impact women and their careers. More companies offer parental leave to new parents, but most of it is still taken by mothers rather than fathers. The new debate around menopause at work is positive, unless it becomes another stick to keep women down.
The Glass Wall, 10th Anniversary Edition helps new groups of women to navigate the workplace, make their lives happier and empower real change.
'A no-nonsense guide to scaling the ranks.' The Times
Forget the glass ceiling - there's also a glass wall dividing men and women in the workplace, separating them in terms of career success. In this 10th anniversary edition, the authors look at what has changed for women in the workplace since 2016. Spoiler alert - not a lot.
The Glass Wall is a pragmatic guide to success for women at work. Since the first edition was published ten years ago, whilst there has been some meaningful progress, in some areas things have gone into reverse.
In this 10th anniversary edition, the authors examine the latest research and gauge whether things have improved or not for women at work since the #MeToo movement and the global pandemic, both causing seismic change. Every week brings new headlines that cause unease as much as reason to celebrate. Women still make up less than 10% of CEOs in FTSE 100 companies; a 2024 report by the Treasury Committee found that women in the city are still subject to shocking levels of sexual harassment and bullying; generative AI is sustaining stereotyped images and exacerbating inequity and the 'manosphere' is spawning a new generation of misogyny.
In terms of real power, both in government and at work, things haven't changed enough. Debates about the pros and cons of remote and hybrid working continue to impact women and their careers. More companies offer parental leave to new parents, but most of it is still taken by mothers rather than fathers. The new debate around menopause at work is positive, unless it becomes another stick to keep women down.
The Glass Wall, 10th Anniversary Edition helps new groups of women to navigate the workplace, make their lives happier and empower real change.
Reviews / Votes
For anyone looking to seriously understand why gender imbalance persists in the twenty- first- century workplace (and what to do about it), this book is both revelatory and important.' -- David Abraham * Group CEO Wonderhood Studios, former CEO, Channel 4 * This is a rich report on what it is like right now in the complex world of men and women working together. Its specialty is that it allows you to find your own recipe for mastery of a meaningful work life. -- Charlotte Beers * Speaker, author, former CEO, Ogilvy Advertising and former Undersecretary of State * I wish that this book had existed when I was starting out in my career; the advice is so useful, both for women on the way up and for businesses seeking to develop and retain talented women. I would encourage everyone to read it. -- Karen Blackett CBE * Non- executive Director Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Non- executive director Diageo, former UK WPP president * It is so important to empower other women and that is exactly what this book does. It gives women practical advice to help them navigate their careers and, ultimately, design their own life. -- Diane von Furstenberg * Founder and Chairman of DVF Studio LLC * Fantastic to see a book with such practical experience and common sense at its heart - let's hope we won't have to talk about glass walls for very long. -- Martha Lane- Fox * Entrepreneur * Practical, insightful and thoroughly enjoyable, this book is a must- read for anyone who wants to see change in their workplace and their life. An inspiring book that is sure to have a huge impact on women in the workplace. -- Nicola Mendelsohn CBE * Head of Global Business, Meta * Organizations thrive when women are well represented in management. The Glass Wall offers practical wisdom to deconstruct barriers; it's an excellent guide for managers and individuals alike. We can all relate to the material. -- Eileen Naughton * Board member, former CHRO, Google, former President, Time *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
271 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-60383-7 (9781350603837)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
KATHRYN JACOB is the CEO of Pearl & Dean, and sits on the Development Board of RADA, The Council and Board of the Advertising Association and is global President of SAWA. Kathryn is sector lead in All In, the advertising industry work to address inclusion.
SUE UNERMAN is a Strategy and Transformation Expert, working in media and advertising where she remains at the forefront of the industry's evolution. She has helped advertisers including Mars, DFS, Direct Line Group, CRUK, Tesco, Universal and Sky to connect with consumers.
SUE UNERMAN is a Strategy and Transformation Expert, working in media and advertising where she remains at the forefront of the industry's evolution. She has helped advertisers including Mars, DFS, Direct Line Group, CRUK, Tesco, Universal and Sky to connect with consumers.
Content
Forewords
Preface to the 2026 edition
How to use this book
Introduction: The Way Forward
One voice: Brianna
Chapter 1: Ambition
Ask for what you want; ask for what you need
Ambition is a stranger to me
Jostling the big boys
Use the frustration
Feel the fear, then do it anyway
Wherever you go, you take the weather with you
One voice: Tessa
Chapter 2: Creativity
Borrow it
Don't zig, zag
Don't fear failure
Tear it up
Be naive
One voice: Kelly
Chapter 3: Cutting Through
Brand yourself
Speak their language
Haha: be funny
Shhhh: cutting through as an introvert
Managing up - and sideways (that's your job too)
Don't be a doormat
Be seen
Making remote working work
One voice: Mercedes
Chapter 4: Trouble
Keep going
Is sex a problem?
Sex in the office
The Conspiracy of the Sisterhood: kindness can kill
Mean girls
Know when to back down
The burnout
Still going strong
One voice: Rachel
Chapter 5: Resilience
Don't ask, don't get
When to walk away
The secret rules of work
The numbers game
The playbook
Don't take it personally
One voice: Megan
Chapter 6: Anger
Power grip
Odd one out
Use advocates
Go feral
Play the long game
One voice: Gloria
Chapter 7: Karma
Always on
Be your best self
Make a memory
Pay it forward
We're all human
One voice: Carys
Afterword
One voice: Melissa
43 Strategies for Success
Preface to the 2026 edition
How to use this book
Introduction: The Way Forward
One voice: Brianna
Chapter 1: Ambition
Ask for what you want; ask for what you need
Ambition is a stranger to me
Jostling the big boys
Use the frustration
Feel the fear, then do it anyway
Wherever you go, you take the weather with you
One voice: Tessa
Chapter 2: Creativity
Borrow it
Don't zig, zag
Don't fear failure
Tear it up
Be naive
One voice: Kelly
Chapter 3: Cutting Through
Brand yourself
Speak their language
Haha: be funny
Shhhh: cutting through as an introvert
Managing up - and sideways (that's your job too)
Don't be a doormat
Be seen
Making remote working work
One voice: Mercedes
Chapter 4: Trouble
Keep going
Is sex a problem?
Sex in the office
The Conspiracy of the Sisterhood: kindness can kill
Mean girls
Know when to back down
The burnout
Still going strong
One voice: Rachel
Chapter 5: Resilience
Don't ask, don't get
When to walk away
The secret rules of work
The numbers game
The playbook
Don't take it personally
One voice: Megan
Chapter 6: Anger
Power grip
Odd one out
Use advocates
Go feral
Play the long game
One voice: Gloria
Chapter 7: Karma
Always on
Be your best self
Make a memory
Pay it forward
We're all human
One voice: Carys
Afterword
One voice: Melissa
43 Strategies for Success