Cowgirl Power: How to Kick Ass in Business and Life

by Gay Gaddis, Gay Gaddis (Read by)

Overview

In Cowgirl Power, advertising CEO and cowgirl Gay Gaddis shares insights and examples for women to lead like fearless, risk-taking cowgirls: enhance and exude confidence, developing personal power on all fronts.

As the owner of one of the largest female-owned independent agencies in the U.S. and former chairman of C200, one of the country’s top women’s business organizations, Gay Gaddis knows a thing or two about empowerment.

Gay’s secrets of success have roots in the spirited strength of real cowgirls who were fearless risk-takers in everything they did. They’ve inspired Gay. As the owner of a fully operational Texas Longhorn Cattle Ranch, Gay is a true cowgirl. And she brings cowgirl power to the boardroom, as well. In Cowgirl Power, Gay shares her story and an inspiring action plan for women who are ready to blaze their own trail in business and in life. Whatever your goals—to start a family or your own business, to climb the corporate ladder, organize community outreach, or run for office, Gay says it all comes down to power: knowing how to develop it and not being afraid to take it when it comes your way. You build your own power through knowledge, hard work, excellence, creativity and good will and Gay’s book has the Cowgirl Tool Kit that supplies all the tools to get there!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536611762
Publisher:	Brilliance Audio
Publication date:	03/20/2018
Edition description:	Unabridged
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 6.75(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Gay Gaddis is CEO and Founder of T3. In 1989, she started her company after cashing in a $16,000 IRA. Today, T3 has offices nationwide and creates innovative digital marketing programs for Fortune 200 clients. T3 is a top-ranked innovation firm and one of the largest agencies owned by a woman. Gay has been nationally recognized for the unique family-friendly policies she has initiated at T3.

Gay is on the Board of Directors of Monotype Imaging Holdings and on the Dean’s Advisory Council to The University of Texas McCombs School of Business. She is also the first female Chairman of the Texas Business Leadership Council. Gay is a regular contributor to Forbes, and her Texas landscapes have been featured in galleries in New York and Texas. She and her husband own the Double Heart Ranch in the Texas Hill Country.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Introduction xi

Chapter 1 Personal Power Is the Answer 1

Chapter 2 Finding My Own Power-The Early Days 9

Chapter 3 Finding My Own Power-The Advertising Business 27

Chapter 4 Cowgirls Are Responsible for Themselves 59

Chapter 5 Cowgirls Build Their Own Competence 87

Chapter 6 Cowgirls Use Competence to Find Confidence 109

Chapter 7 Cowgirls Design Their Own Lives 131

Chapter 8 Cowgirls Build a Kick-Ass Culture 163

Chapter 9 Cowgirls Know a Good Idea When They See One 181

Chapter 10 Cowgirls Are Fearless Leaders 199

Chapter 11 Cowgirls Are Doing Just Fine 221

Cowgirl Power Toolkit 227

Cowgirls Are Responsible for Themselves 230

Cowgirls Build Their Own Competence 235

Cowgirls Use Their Competence to Find Assertiveness 240

Design Your Own Life 246

Cowgirls Build a Kick-Ass Culture 251

Cowgirls Know a Good Idea When They See One 257

Cowgirls Are Fearless Leaders 262

Notes 267

Editorial Reviews

"COWGIRL POWER is a book about embracing your story and your power. Gaddis, a fellow Texan who built her successful business from the ground up, shares her hard-won and thought-provoking wisdom on showing up and getting it done. It's a great combination of storytelling, actionable strategy, and a fun history of some of the cowgirls that came before us."—Brené Brown, Ph.D., Author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Braving the Wilderness

"Cowgirls are the ones who don't back down from anything or anyone. The ones who work harder and keep playing until they get it right. Gay Gaddis calls this 'Cowgirl Power.' Her stories give women a clear path to find their own personal power."—Billie Jean King

"With straight talk, humor and a healthy dose of Texas grit, COWGIRL POWER inspires women everywhere to build on their strengths in order to purposefully create a fulfilling life - both at home and at work. The no-nonsense strategies shared in the book for both personal and organizational development are easy to understand and designed to spur immediate action. I'm going to keep my copy close by!"—Melissa Reiff, CEO, The Container Store

"Gay expects to win and she does. She prepares to win and when "winning" seems "natural," it becomes natural. Gay creates an attitude that others want to share. You can do the same. Her "Kicking Ass" is so inviting you want to be part of it."—Red McCombs, Owner, McCombs Enterprises, co-founder of Clear Channel Communications

"Gay's warmth, cowgirl tenacity, and business savvy are all wrapped up in an easy to read, funny, honest book. Her desire to help women is evident in every chapter. This is a must-read for aspiring and current business leaders both male and female. Her message is clear, women must support and nurture each other."—Doreen Lorenzo, former executive at Frog

"I galloped through Gay's compelling book, COWGIRL POWER, in which she shares her strategies and relatable stories about overcoming obstacles, fears and building personal power. I highly recommend this superb read for anyone seeking career and personal growth."—Joyce Russell, President, Adecco Staffing US

"COWGIRL POWER is a lexicon and 'must read' for those who want to learn how to do and have it all - with grace, integrity and competence."—Larraine Segil, Author of Intelligent Business Alliances, Fast Alliances, Dynamic Leader Adaptive Organization, Partnering the New Face of Leadership, Measuring the Value of Partnering, and Belonging

"Gay Gaddis epitomizes the ideal of a successful, modern Cowgirl. Her personal stories and insights are both funny and poignant. There is no singularly successful leadership profile, but Gay Gaddis' COWGIRL POWER offers a compelling, entertaining, and poignant role model for modern female business leaders."—Lynn Utter, Chief Executive Officer and board member for First Source

"Power is there for the taking, Gay Gaddis explains, and through this book she helps readers find and summon their own. Gay is a living embodiment of the cowgirls she so admires and their "braveness, authenticity and grit." Read Cowgirl Power and learn how this pioneering Texan built her own successful business and life - and come away ready to take on the world!"—Karen Hughes, Author, Former Press Secretary President George Bush, Global Vice Chair

"As the father of an amazing daughter, who is an aspiring author and entrepreneur herself, I can confidently confirm that Gay's book is an invaluable and much needed resource. The future of business is increasingly female (thankfully) and Gay is a very motivating force for what's possible."—Brett Hurt, founder of Bazaarvoice, Coremetrics, data.world, and Hurt Family Investments

"Gay takes an unapologetic approach to dispensing valuable lessons that results in both a delightful and insightful read. My favorite quote: Be aware of people who are intimidated by people smarter than themselves. I couldn't have said it better."—Hala Moddelmog, President & CEO, Metro Atlanta Chamber, former CEO Arby's Restaurant Group

"I thought I would know everything in the Cowgirl Toolkit. But after reading Gay Gaddis' journey, and understanding her business acumen and hard fought wisdom, I realized I still have a lot to learn. This cowgirl kicked my ass."—Marcy Maguire, CEO, Maguire Automotive

"A fresh and fun approach from a long term entrepreneur in how to be fearless in the face of adversity and opportunity alike. I so love the analogy of actual Cowgirls in the Wild West as trail guides! Chocked full of insights and important life lessons for women of all ages today."—Jan Ryan, CEO, 3Hills Ventures

"Equal parts memoir, history lesson and kick in the pants, Gay's book is a road map to help readers learn to embrace their gifts, bolster their confidence, and build the life they desire. I'm excited for my teenage daughter to read this and learn from it as she approaches adulthood and embarks on her life and career."—Justin Yancy, President, Texas Business Leadership Council

From the Publisher

An Austin ad agency founder and owner of a longhorn cattle ranch uses colorful stories of herself, family members, and famous cowgirls to show how women can become powerful leaders. With her Texas drawl in full song, her performance is full of contagious energy and sounds immensely empowering. Her inspiring action plan is aimed at women with all kinds of aspirations, from corporate governance to becoming more effective leaders in business, their communities, or their families. She says too many women don’t recognize their personal power and don’t use it as instinctively, as men do. Gaddis explains how her spirited cowgirls worked around these obstacles to express their power and compete effectively in the world. T.W. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

AUGUST 2018 - AudioFile