Thrive on risk, speak with intention―and be the influential and confident leader you know you are. Too often, we get stuck in our heads, focus on the negative, and paralyze ourselves with fear. And, like clockwork, we fail to achieve our goals. The only way to become an effective leader and enjoy career success is by silencing the self-sabotaging thought patterns and learn to trust yourself. Once you’ve established a trusted connection with yourself, clear on who you are and what motivates you, career opportunities will follow. Former Wall Street executive Marisa Santoro spent years navigating trading floors in an abrasive male-dominated industry and field, where she learned from experience that the key to leadership success is self-trust. Now, in Own Your Authority, she shares her hard-won secrets to being a resilient leader. Santoro lays out a step-by-step blueprint for building the confidence you need at any stage of your career, whether you are an executive, a mid-career senior professional, an emerging leader, or consultant. Be clear on how you’re perceived and how you relate with others Be willing to act on instinct in the face of fear Be aware of the instinctive yellow alerts flagging your indecision―they are there for a reason and will help you make the best decision Trust your “intuitive gut gene,” an instinct that helps you make gutsy moves Speak out and openly express yourself without apology, restriction, or worry about the opinions of others Self-confidence is a universal prerequisite for being an effective leader. The good news is you’re not born with it―you develop it. With Own Your Authority, you’ll learn to master your mindset, give yourself permission to break through the walls that have held you back, and deliver positive impact to yourself, your team, and your business.

How can you talk to your parents about difficult topics? What are examples of negotiating boundaries in relationships? Whom can you go to at school to ask for help? Readers find the answers to these and many other common questions as they develop the skills needed to speak with confidence. Relatable examples, from family conflicts to disagreements with friends and even asking for a raise at work, are presented, and full-color photographs enhance the reading experience. Sidebars explore a variety of important topics, including social anxiety disorder, and additional resources are listed to encourage further research.

A person’s body language gives us important insight into what they’re really thinking and feeling, and our own body language is a valuable communication tool. Being aware of what signals different aspects of body language send is an important part of being an effective communicator. Readers explore these different aspects—from facial expressions and hand gestures to posture and personal space—with the help of relatable examples, insightful facts, and full-color photographs. Sidebars introduce important topics such as setting boundaries and the relationship between nonverbal communication and autism spectrum disorder.