Deepa Purushothaman – författare

A deeply personal call to action for women of color to find power from within and join together in community, advocating for a new corporate environment where we all belong—and are accepted—on our own terms.

Women of color are one of the fastest-growing segments in the corporate workforce, yet often we are underrepresented—among the first, few, or only ones in a department or company. For too long, corporate structures, the social zeitgeist, and cultural conditioning have left us feeling exhausted and downtrodden, believing that in order to “fit in” and be successful, we must hide or change who we are.

As a former senior partner at a large global services firm, Deepa Purushothaman experienced these feelings of isolation and burnout. She met with hundreds of other women of color across industries and cultural backgrounds, eager to hear about their unique and shared experiences. In doing so, she has come to understand our collective setbacks—and the path forward in achieving our goals.  

Business must evolve—and women of color have the potential to lead that transformation. We must begin by pushing back against toxic messaging—including the things we tell ourselves—while embracing the valuable cultural viewpoints and experiences that give us unique perspectives at work. By fully realizing our own strengths, we can build collective power and use it to confront microaggressions, outdated norms, and workplace misconceptions; create cultures where belonging is never conditional; and rework corporations to be genuinely inclusive to all.

The First, the Few, the Only is a roadmap forward for us to make a profound impact within and outside our organizations while ensuring that our words are heard, our lived experiences are respected, and our contributions are finally valued. 

Build trust—and create more value.

Whether you''re negotiating a salary, a deal with a supplier, or your workload, thoughtful preparation increases your confidence, resilience—and results. But it''s not just numbers and strategies. Advocating for yourself, your team, and your business can feel personal, so you also need to manage the emotions that arise during the process.

Next-Level Negotiating provides the research, advice, and practical tips you need to counter the harmful stereotypes about women and negotiation to communicate clearly who you are and what you need. Establish trust with your counterpart and face negotiations of any size with curiosity, creativity, and a collaborative mindset—all the essentials to successfully seal a deal.

This book will inspire you to:

The HBR Women at Work Series spotlights the real challenges and opportunities women experience throughout their careers. With interviews from the popular podcast of the same name and related articles, stories, and research, these books provide inspiration and advice for taking on topics at work like inequity, advancement, and building community. Featuring detailed discussion guides, this series will help you spark important conversations about where we’re at and how to move forward.