The <span>Fix</span>

See the truth behind what’s holding women back at work

Women are told that if they want to succeed at work, they need to fix themselves. Lean in, don’t lean out. Be a fighter and a rule-breaker to be a #Girlboss. Stop being nice and start acting like a man.

But now Michelle King – gender equality expert and Head of The Global Innovation Coalition for Change at UN Women – is calling BS on books and programs that tell women they need to change to be successful. She has seen over and over again, through her partnerships with major Fortune 500 companies like HP, SAP, and General Electric and her work with women nationwide, that the tired advice of fixing women isn’t fixing anything. The truth is that workplaces are gendered – they were designed by men for men – and unless you’re Don Draper, there are hidden barriers in place that are holding you back.

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Award winning...

2020 Axiom Business Book Awards: Silver medal

2020 Non-Obvious Book Award: Longlist Selection

Porchlight: #1 Business Bestseller December 2020

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.

“Michelle King’s work is an insightful look into the ways we, as a society, have unwittingly bought in to the idea that women in the workplace are what’s broken. The idea that in order to be successful, women need to do more or be more is simply not true, and reveals how our idea of gender stereotypes seeps into work culture and how we define what success looks like. This book is a practical walk through the ways we’ve failed women in the workplace and enforced harmful behavior from men, inviting us to the conclusion that women never needed fixing - we need to fix the workplace itself. The Fix starts an important conversation about how we’ll win, together.”
Anna Blue & Melissa Kilby, co-executive directors, Girl Up
“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
“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
“Michelle King is a global ambassador on advancing women and girls in society. In this book, she explores the challenges women face today that impact their ability to succeed and lays out solutions organizations can apply to ensure a workplace where everyone thrives. Michelle understands that creating an inclusive and equitable workplace for everyone takes all of us. We are fortunate she is sharing her expertise and learnings, and is bringing us along this journey to implement real change.”
Dr. Cindy Pace, Global Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at MetLife
“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
“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
“The structures in the workplace that prevent women from succeeding are the same structures that make it nearly impossible for men to become the emotionally aware, sensitive, and compassionate people—and colleagues—that we are capable of being. 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. Work that, when done right, allows us to become true allies in the fight to make the workplace, and the world, a more equitable place. 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
“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