Opt-Out Revolt
by Lisa A. Mainiero & Sherry E. Sullivan
Published by Davies-Black Publishing
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Reviewed by Celia Renteria Szelwach, DBA (ABD)
Times are changing and careers no longer follow a linear path, says the authors of Opt-Out Revolt, a summary of ground-breaking research conducted over a five-year period. I couldn't agree more, and I'm glad.
When I "opted-out" of the corporate fast track in human resources, a business friend recommended Amy Saltzman's 1992 book, Downshifting: Reinventing Success on a Slower Track. In those seven years, I am still waiting for that "slower track" Saltzman described. After reading this book, I realize my entrepreneurial career journey is a common one, called: Kaleidoscope Career.
Drs. Mainiero and Sullivan, well-respected university professors and experts in career development and work life balance, assert that talented women (and men, primarily from Generation X and Y) are "rebelling against work environments that don't support their values and hamper their desire for a balanced life." These highly talented individuals then pursue careers following the Kaleidoscope
Career Model whereby they pursue authenticity, balance, and challenge at various stages of their life in different sequences over time.
While I enjoyed their "career model," their discussion of the differences among women and men in their approach to career development was particularly helpful since I coach senior male executives.
Using their insights, I have rethought my coaching approach in enabling male and female executives to reach their full potential on their own terms.
Well-written, it's not a quick read though with the excessive interview excerpts that reinforce various points and themes. Career professionals with limited time would gain more value if each chapter had a summary of bullet points outlining the major concepts. I hated the fact I couldn't read it cover to cover, but at almost 400 pages, I found it encroaching on my own work life balance. Nonetheless, I'm glad a book which emphasizes multiple roads to success (including stay-at-home dads!) is on the shelf.
Human resources professionals, academics, and executive/career transition coaches will gain value from reading this book.
Armchair Interviews says: It's a keeper!