Rethink

More and more, women today are challenging long-held beliefs about what they can and can’t do. They’re speaking up, stepping out, breaking through, and redefining what society has always told them was true about their capabilities. In Rethink: Smashing the Myths of Women in Business, Andi Simon tells the stories of 11 women from different industries who opened up the possibilities for their professional careers and personal lives by being authentic, taking risks, and pushing past the obstacles others placed before them. These are stories that tell of innovation, show how women rise, and ignite change.

Andi, a corporate anthropologist, an award-winning author, and a successful entrepreneur, debunks myth after myth as she profiles the women in the book and offers key wisdom, insights, and observations through her unique lens. Whether about entrepreneurs, innovators, scientists, academics, attorneys, or leaders in other fields, the stories demonstrate how all the women have broken down walls and paved the way to more.

But this book isn’t only about the 11 women who are pushing boundaries and transforming business, culture, and society; it’s about inspiring all women to achieve and showing them a way to launch forward. Rethink provides the tools and framework for questioning society's norms, challenging our own current thinking, and smashing the preconceived notions about women that can so often hold us back from realizing our goals and dreams. In this book, you'll learn how to take a hands-on approach to examining and rethinking your own personal and professional life in order to recognize your fuller potential.

This discussion guide and recommended reading was shared and sponsored in partnership with Greenleaf BookGroup.

Book club questions for Rethink by Andi Simon Phd

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

This is a book to help you “see what you can be.” How do you feel as you read these women’s stories?

To which of the stories could you most relate? Which of the myths has affected you?

What hurdles have you faced in your own journey? How have you been able to overcome them?

For each of these women, their growing-up years framed their lives. I remember standing at my grandmother’s proverbial knees. When you think about your growing-up period in your life, what memories are the most vivid and seem to help you frame your own life story? What are your most poignant memories?

Several women spoke of their journeys away from their jobs and the discoveries they made about themselves. Have you taken time to discover yourself through a journey? Real and metaphorical journeys play important roles in framing our lives. Are you ready for yours?

How has each of these women reframed the world in which she was living to allow her to succeed when others thought she couldn’t?

How have you thought about reframing your world to achieve your dreams? Is it time? Or is your story a perfect one for you?

Have you always wanted to be an entrepreneur like Stephanie Breedlove? She saw an unmet need and turned it into a successful business. What unmet needs have you seen that could be your big business opportunity?

Women are said to have far better social skills than men, but when they use those skills, they don’t always achieve the respect of men. Jamie Candee was an exceptional leader because she knew how to use her skills to get men and women to embrace her vision and follow her. How can women change the power structure and use their leadership to greater societal benefit?

Babette Ballinger had a life journey that required her to help men succeed. They grew in great part because of her talent. Then she turned her skills into a successful business for herself. I love her story because she never stopped believing in herself. What are your thoughts about her life’s challenges and your own?

Andie Kramer has been smashing the myths holding back female attorneys ever since she was a child and wanted to become a lawyer. Now she is helping other women do the same by educating them. How could you turn your experiences into hope to help other women?

Janine Firpo is proud of how her mother showed her how to become a successful businesswoman. Now she wants to help other women think about money more wisely and manage and invest it successfully. For you, who is your financial role model? How can you best learn from them? How do you view your earnings and your savings? How do you manage “risk”?

Rethink Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the Rethink discussion questions