Take Back Your Power Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Q: What is *Take Back Your Power* about?

*Take Back Your Power* by Deborah Liu provides 10 actionable rules to help women navigate systemic workplace inequality, blending data-driven insights with personal anecdotes from the author’s Silicon Valley career. It focuses on reclaiming agency through strategies like redefining power, building ally networks, and overcoming barriers like imposter syndrome, rather than solely critiquing unfair systems.

Take Back Your Power

Deborah Liu

3.93 (701 Reviews)

Leadership

Career

Business

Relationship

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

In "Take Back Your Power," Facebook VP-turned-Ancestry CEO Deborah Liu offers 10 game-changing rules for workplace success. Endorsed by tech leaders as "essential wisdom," this guide doesn't just lament gender bias - it provides actionable strategies that have empowered 30,000+ Women In Product members.

What is Take Back Your Power about?

Take Back Your Power by Deborah Liu provides 10 actionable rules to help women navigate systemic workplace inequality, blending data-driven insights with personal anecdotes from the author’s Silicon Valley career. It focuses on reclaiming agency through strategies like redefining power, building ally networks, and overcoming barriers like imposter syndrome, rather than solely critiquing unfair systems.

Who should read Take Back Your Power?

This book is ideal for women in male-dominated industries, professionals facing gender bias, parents/teachers mentoring girls, and male allies seeking to support workplace equity. It’s also valuable for teams or book clubs aiming to foster inclusive discussions.

Is Take Back Your Power worth reading?

Yes. Liu combines 20 years of tech leadership experience with actionable advice, offering tools to negotiate promotions, reframe setbacks, and challenge stereotypes. Its blend of storytelling and research makes it a practical guide for personal and systemic change.

What are the main rules in Take Back Your Power?

Key rules include: redefining power as positive influence (not control), overcoming self-doubt through incremental wins, building four types of allies (mentors, sponsors, peers, champions), and balancing assertiveness with empathy. Liu also emphasizes forgiveness and strategic risk-taking.

How does Deborah Liu address imposter syndrome?

Liu shares personal stories of feeling “like an outsider” in tech and provides frameworks to reframe self-doubt. Strategies include tracking accomplishments, seeking feedback, and recognizing that competence grows through action—not perfection.

The book identifies four ally types: mentors (advisors), sponsors (advocates), peers (collaborators), and champions (amplifiers). Liu stresses that diverse support networks are critical for navigating biased systems and advancing careers.

Does Take Back Your Power discuss work-life balance?

Yes. Liu advocates for setting boundaries without guilt, such as blocking family time on calendars and rejecting the “always-on” mentality. She reframes balance as integration, not sacrifice, using examples from her roles as CEO and parent.

How does the book approach forgiveness in the workplace?

Liu argues that holding onto resentment hinders growth, sharing how she forgave colleagues who underestimated her. The focus is on releasing grudges to reclaim mental energy while still advocating for systemic change.

What criticisms exist about Take Back Your Power?

Some critics suggest the book prioritizes individual adaptation over systemic reform. However, Liu balances realism about current workplace dynamics with calls for collective action, making it a pragmatic (if imperfect) roadmap.

What practical steps does the book offer for career advancement?

Actionable tips include:

Negotiating salaries using market data
Volunteering for high-visibility projects
Documenting contributions for reviews
Leveraging “strategic no’s” to avoid burnout

Liu also details how to craft elevator pitches that highlight impact.

How relevant is Take Back Your Power in 2025?

With persistent gender gaps in leadership roles and pay equity, Liu’s frameworks remain vital. Updated examples on remote/hybrid work challenges and AI-driven biases make the 2023 edition particularly timely.

Can men benefit from reading Take Back Your Power?

Absolutely. Male leaders gain tools to recognize unconscious biases, sponsor female colleagues, and create inclusive cultures. Liu includes examples of men who’ve used their influence to advocate for equity.

Start Reading Your Way

Quick Summary

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

More like this

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

Susanna Clarke

The Concrete Blonde

Michael Connelly

Revenge of the Tipping Point

Malcolm Gladwell

The Tao of Sexology

Stephen Thomas Chang

How to Memorize Anything

Aditi Singhal & Sudhir Singhal

Key takeaways

When Your Seat at the Table Comes with an Invisible Asterisk

00:00

Picture walking into a high-stakes tech conference as the keynote speaker, yet watching people consistently edge you out of conversations to speak with your male colleague instead. Then, after your presentation, those same people suddenly find you worth approaching. At a dinner with other female tech leaders facing identical treatment, they made a pact: "make it awkward" by calling out this behavior rather than accepting it silently. This wasn't a workshop exercise-this was the daily reality for a Facebook executive who would eventually become CEO of Ancestry. The statistics tell a sobering story: women earn 10-20% less than men in identical jobs and are 25% less likely to receive requested raises despite asking just as frequently. These disparities begin in childhood, where girls are called "bossy" while boys are praised as "leaders." Even children's literature reinforces these stereotypes, with "girl" books focusing on princesses and friendship while "boy" books feature adventure and problem-solving. When one author wrote a children's book, her son advised against using a female character's name in the title because "it will be less appealing to boys." This conditioning creates a classic double bind where women must either seek power and face harsh judgment or serve quietly to earn praise.

The Power You're Unknowingly Surrendering

Charting Unconventional Paths to Success

The Freedom of Not Being the Expert

Forgiveness as Radical Self-Liberation

Building Your Circle of Champions

Reclaiming Your Voice, Writing Your Legacy

Explore Your Way of Learning

Take Back Your Power isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Leadership. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

Quick Summary

Take Back Your Power Summary in 8 Minutes

Break down key ideas from Take Back Your Power into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

00:00

Flash Card

Top 7 Insights from Take Back Your Power in a Nutshell

Distill Take Back Your Power into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Fun

Take Back Your Power Lessons Told Through 23-Min Stories

Experience Take Back Your Power through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.

00:00

Personalize

Experience Take Back Your Power in your own way.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

Start your learning journey, now

Download This Summary

Get the Take Back Your Power summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.

Take Back Your Power by Deborah Liu Summary

Overview of Take Back Your Power

Key Takeaways from Take Back Your Power

Overview of its author - Deborah Liu

Common FAQs of Take Back Your Power

Similar books to Take Back Your Power

More like this

Key takeaways

When Your Seat at the Table Comes with an Invisible Asterisk