Any woman juggling the demands of being a caregiver and breadwinner while nurturing her own well being can tell you that it’s hard as hell. It’s why I highly recommend the book “Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work (and Why It’s Different Than You Think)” for every working mother and every person invested in her success - especially her employer. A few months ago I hosted the author @reshmasaujani, founder of @girlswhocode and the Marshall Plan for Moms, to discuss her latest book. I recently re-read it, as @thecru is expanding our partnerships with companies and I wanted to gain insights on how we can better support them in accelerating their female talent. Saujani begins her argument with a daunting reality: “We participate in a workforce and live in a society that do not make having it all actually possible.” What I love about the book is that she spends the bulk of the pages outlining what a world in which working mothers DID have it all would look like. Then she articulates a framework to make it happen - including action items for managers. Some of the recommendations aren’t rocket science, like giving women control over their schedules, but she emphasizes that flexibility should be made available to all employees and that everyone should be encouraged to take it, thereby removing any stigma. Similarly she suggests that employers prioritize their talent’s well being, then suggests training managers to check in on an individual’s stress level in order to identify red flags that might lead to burnout. Her most radical idea is for the government to recognize the value of caregiving through cash payments to mothers - whether they are in the workforce or not. Saujani’s broad recommendations accompanied by specific actions encourage all of us to go one step further in advancing women. Not since Anne-Marie Slaughter’s “Unfinished Business” have I read such a solid playbook that could put us on the right path. #WhatsOnMyNightstand #WOMN