Power Up: How Smart Women Win in the New Economy by Magdalena Yesil Summary

1. Reframe career obstacles as water flowing around immovable boulders
2. Negotiate salary first by anchoring high and providing market data
3. Build credibility through visible project ownership and calculated risk-taking
4. Manage workplace sexual dynamics with clear boundaries and ally networks
5. Transition from intrapreneur to entrepreneur only after mastering internal politics
6. Document every contribution to combat systemic credit theft
7. Reject victim mentality by leveraging three power traits
8. Treat gender bias as a solvable problem
9. Secure male allies by demonstrating measurable business impact
10. Master the art of strategic self-promotion
11. Balance ambition with calculated vulnerability
12. Build parallel career paths using "always be interviewing" tactics

Über den Autor von Power Up

Magdalena Yesil is the bestselling author of Power Up and a trailblazing entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and technology pioneer. Her book, a guide to navigating the modern tech-driven economy, draws on her three decades of experience founding and investing in groundbreaking companies like Salesforce, where she was the first investor and founding board member.

Yesil’s career spans semiconductors, SaaS, and fintech, with leadership roles at firms such as UUnet, CyberCash, and MarketPay, which earned her Red Herring’s Entrepreneur of the Year award. She currently serves on the boards of SoFi, Smartsheet, and Zuora, leveraging her expertise to shape high-growth tech enterprises.

Featured in Julian Guthrie’s Alpha Girls—now being adapted into a television series—Yesil is a vocal advocate for women in leadership and co-founded Broadway Angels, a prominent female investor group. A Stanford-trained electrical engineer, she blends technical acuity with strategic vision, offering actionable insights for professionals in Power Up. The book has remained a business bestseller since its 2017 release, cementing Yesil’s reputation as a trusted voice in entrepreneurship and innovation.

FAQ zu Power Up

What is Power Up: A Woman's Field Guide to Success in the New Economy about?

Power Up by Magdalena Yesil provides actionable strategies for women navigating male-dominated tech industries, blending personal anecdotes with advice from top female leaders. It focuses on intrapreneurship, career ownership, gravitas, and balancing parenthood with professional growth. The book emphasizes self-empowerment and dismantling systemic barriers through practical frameworks like strategic networking and redefining workplace norms.

Who should read Power Up by Magdalena Yesil?

Ambitious women in tech, entrepreneurs, and professionals seeking career advancement will benefit most. It’s ideal for those facing gender-based obstacles, parents juggling work-life demands, or leaders aiming to foster inclusive teams. Yesil’s insights also resonate with intrapreneurs looking to innovate within existing organizations.

Is Power Up worth reading?

Yes—Power Up offers tangible advice for overcoming workplace inequity, distinguishing itself with real-world examples from Yesil’s career (e.g., co-founding Salesforce). While similar to Lean In, it prioritizes tactical steps over abstract philosophy, making it a practical guide for women in STEM or leadership roles.

What are the key lessons from Power Up?

• Self-reliance: Women must harness intrinsic confidence to challenge norms.
• Intrapreneurship: Innovate within companies before launching startups.
• Gravitas: Cultivate authority through decisive communication.
• Strategic quitting: Leave roles that hinder growth without guilt.

How does Power Up help working parents?

Yesil advocates for flexible schedules, mentorship networks, and transparent dialogue with employers. She reframes parenthood as a leadership asset, encouraging women to reject the “motherhood penalty” by setting boundaries and delegating effectively.

What is “intrapreneurship” in Power Up?

Intrapreneurship involves driving innovation within an organization, such as developing new revenue streams or processes. Yesil highlights examples like Debra Rossi’s eBay partnership at Wells Fargo, arguing this path builds credibility and resources for future entrepreneurial ventures.

How does Power Up recommend building a professional network?

Yesil stresses quality over quantity, advising women to leverage platforms like Facebook for mentorship and allyship. She recommends identifying advocates who amplify your voice in male-dominated spaces and reciprocating support.

What criticisms exist about Power Up?

Some argue the book focuses heavily on individual resilience over systemic reform, potentially underestimating institutional sexism. Critics note Yesil’s privileged perspective as a successful investor may not address barriers faced by underrepresented groups.

How does Power Up compare to Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg?

Both target women in leadership, but Power Up prioritizes tactical tech-industry strategies (e.g., negotiating promotions) over broader cultural commentary. Yesil’s emphasis on intrapreneurship and gravitas offers a niche complement to Sandberg’s themes.

Why is Power Up relevant in 2025?

With remote work and AI reshaping tech, Yesil’s frameworks for adaptability, inclusive leadership, and strategic networking remain critical. Her advice on navigating hybrid workplaces and algorithmic bias aligns with current challenges in corporate diversity.

What does Magdalena Yesil say about career transitions?

She normalizes strategic quitting, urging women to leave stagnant roles and “recharge” before pursuing new opportunities. This approach reframes career gaps as periods of growth rather than setbacks.

How does Power Up define “gravitas”?

Gravitas involves projecting confidence through clarity, decisiveness, and emotional composure. Yesil advises women to master concise communication, own their expertise, and reject self-doubt in high-stakes meetings.