My top 10 - Hira Ali

AN AWARD winning career coach, trainer and blogger, Hira Ali examines challenges women face on their road to professional success with Her Way To The Top - A guide to smashing the glass ceiling. The empowering book written by her has been described as a must-have coaching companion for women leaders and female executives. She moves beyond identifying problems and empowers readers with real solutions to help them break the glass ceiling. Hira Ali chose 10 empowering books she loves.

The Confidence Code: One of the few books that influenced the content of my own book. This book is an informative and practical guide to understanding why many women suffer from confidence issues. It includes research in genetics, gender, behaviour and cognition, with examples of successful women in politics, media and business. It provides great scientifically backed research.

Nice Girls Don’t Get The Corner Office: Dr Lois Frankel shares 101 self-sabotaging behaviours and habits women learn as girls, which could possibly be holding them back in the workplace. These include words and phrases they use, body language and other limiting behaviours. This book makes women aware of sub-conscious behaviours that might damage their careers and provides effective tips that will enable women to claim their corner office.

How To Win Friends & Influence People: Dale Carnegie gives a wonderful insight into developing lasting relationships. Most of his tips and strategies are very relevant, applicable and stick in your mind wherever you go, whoever you meet or whatever business you are in. You will learn how to deal with people in a manner, which makes you likeable and agreeable.

Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: I learned so much about impostor syndrome from this book and found the exercises relatable. The advice given in the book can be taken up by both men and women who want a deeper dive into this syndrome, overcome procrastination and banish negative thought patterns. You realise that you are not alone and there are so many more who experience the exact feelings you do, which in itself is a powerful realisation.

Lean In: One of the earlier books I read that focused on internal challenges and how women hold themselves back. Sheryl (Sandberg) draws on her experience of working in some of the world’s most successful businesses and explores what women can do to help themselves, and how small changes in their lives can effect change on a universal scale. A must read for anyone who cares about a gender inclusive society.

7 Habits Of Highly Effective People: This is a timeless classic you don’t mind dipping into from time to time. This book has sentimental value attached to it as my late father passed it on to me when I was a teenager. It offers great strategies for addressing both personal and professional problems, which can be put to use.

Gorgeous – How to look and feel fantastic everyday: Adele’s book, as the title says, really does make you look and feel gorgeous. The issues highlighted are relatable and the solutions

provided are practical and uplifting. There are actionable strategies and a wealth of information all packed in one entertaining book. I have read many diet books, but this really addresses the core triggers and provides valuable tools and insights, which will stay with you for years to come.

Invisible Women: Another book from which I have quoted research in my own book. Caroline Criado Perez shows us how, in a world largely designed for and by men, we are systematically ignoring half the population. It exposes the explicit and implicit discrimination and bias that exists from government policy and medical research to technology, workplaces, urban planning and media. The eye-opening read forces you to look at this institutional bias from a fresh perspective.

Critical Conversations: A fantastic book which teaches you how to interact in crucial situations, whether it involves partners, children, parents, manager, boss, strangers or friends. It draws our attention to defining moments that shape our lives, relationships and world. The book provides you with tools to prepare for high-stakes situations, transform anger and hurt feelings into powerful dialogue, make it safe to talk about almost anything and how to be persuasive instead of abrasive.

Let Her Fly: The fantastic memoir by Ziauddin Yousafzai, the proud feminist of dad of Malala, and yet another amazing reviewer of my book. One of my favourite quotes from the book is, ‘Ask me not what I did, but what I did not do. I did not clip her wings’. The warm and beautifully written book shares the story of a man who has been fighting for equality for decades, first for his daughter and then for girls across the globe.

Hira Ali is an author, writer, speaker and executive coach. Hira’s book Her Way To The Top - A guide to smashing the glass ceiling is out now. Visit Instagram, Facebook and Twitter: @advancing you