TARGETING THE TOP: How to Succeed As a Woman Manager

A relaxed, low-powered chat about sundry topics affecting the professional woman--best, probably, as an overview for those first considering the prospects. Lee, who interviewed over 400 people and has taught career-management seminars, seldom pushes: her most definite, unqualified advice is to obtain mentors, sponsors, and role models (women where feasible). But when it comes to a decision on whether or not to have children, or how many, she simply presents her respondents' experiences (one woman planned to return to work six weeks after the baby came; when the moment arrived, she wavered) and leaves the determination to the reader. Similarly, she details the kinds of demands that being a boss entails, but refrains from trying to out-macho the men: if you really can't fire people, perhaps a top executive slot is not for you. There is only sketchy information--though most of it is solid--on job-hunting procedures (with some interesting side features, like how to ask for perks); but the book is especially strong in its presentation of personal values and styles versus those of the organization, or of marriage and motherhood (dual-career adjustments, etc.). Ideal, then, for those still making basic decisions.