Advance Praise for The 11 Laws of Likability

“Finally, in a world full of messages about what we all need to acquire in order to achieve success, Michelle Lederman teaches us that we already have everything we need to connect with others. A must-read for anyone interested in how to effectively leverage your network … by just being yourself.”

—Tiffany Dufu, President, The White House Project

“WOW, I simply love this book. I couldn’t put it down once I started it. Lederman’s insights, gems, and nuggets of brilliance are a must-read for all those climbing the ladder of success in business and life. Seldom does a book say it better or more powerfully regarding the power and importance of the relationships in our lives and give us the roadmap for establishing lifelong friendships. Thank you Michelle for giving us this important and timely gem.”

—George C. Fraser, author, CLICK: Ten Truths for Building Extraordinary Relationships

“‘Likability’ is a powerful and often considered intangible component of influence. Michelle Lederman shows that it can be broken down and studied. There are implications here for organizations as well as individuals.”

—Irv Schenkler, Clinical Professor of Management Communication; Director, Management Communication Program, Stern School of Business, New York University

“Engaging, insightful and so useful, The 11 Laws of Likability is a must-read for working moms looking to expand their networks and cultivate new allies. And let’s face it, who wouldn’t benefit from some pointers about the best ways to start new conversations? Michelle Lederman’s step-by-step approach starts with preparation before the conversation takes place, takes you through the conversation, and then provides guidance on the relationship-building that can take place afterward. Hers is a no-fail approach.”

—Suzanne Riss, Editor-in-Chief, Working Mother magazine

“A number of components of a complete education are not covered in traditional business school classes. The most successful graduates are those who have learned the art of Networking. The basics of that art are clearly and intelligently stated in these pages. This book is more than a guide to business networking; it can easily serve as a guide to success in both work and life.”

—Joan DeSalvatore, CEO, College Bound Advising Today; formerly Assistant Dean, Columbia Business School and Associate Dean, Lehigh University, College of Business and Economics

“Run, don’t stroll, to get this book! Michelle Tillis Lederman provides brilliant insights on how to build and maintain meaningful professional relationships—from contact to connection.”

—Ann Demarais, co-author, First Impressions: What You Don’t Know About How Others See You

“The majority of our professional lives revolve around relationships: with clients, bosses, colleagues, etc. Michelle Lederman gives a framework of self-reflection that helps drill down and illuminates that most powerful tool we bring to the table: our authentic self. She shows how we already have what we need—we just need to recognize it.”

—Sharon Gala, investments portfolio manager; President 2010–2011, MetLife Women’s Investment Network

“The idea of starting from ‘the outside in’ is critically important—particularly for women and newcomers to the workplace. Michelle’s approach was fresh. The anecdotes and use of humor made the book user friendly, and I would recommend it for your home and office libraries, as the theories apply in both contexts.”

—LaChonne Walton, Director, Human Resources & Administration, Jazz at Lincoln Center

“This is an insightful and practical book. At first I thought, ‘I know some people who need to read this!’ Then, as I read more deeply, I said, ‘Wow, I’m glad I’m reading this!’ If you believe personality and relationship are important in your business and interpersonal connections, you need to read The 11 Laws of Likability.”

—Becky Sheetz-Runkle, author, Sun Tzu for Women: The Art of War for Winning in Business

“The 11 Laws of Likability offers a fresh, insightful, and readable new perspective on networking. Its focus on connection and relationship building provides a welcome alternative to the ‘working a room’ approach to networking—and readers will certainly relate to the real-life examples included throughout every chapter. There is no question that this is a book I will refer to often and recommend to those who are looking for practical advice on how to build lasting business relationships.”

—Sheryl Parker, Founder, Powwow: A Network for Women Making a Difference

“Michelle Tillis Lederman takes a sustainability approach to relationships. She shows readers how to establish a foundation to build upon and turn a conversation into a connection. This book is practical, tactical, and applicable to those at all conversational skill and professional levels.”

—Debra Fine, keynote speaker, trainer, and bestselling author of The Fine Art of the Big Talk: How to Win Clients, Deliver Great Presentations, and Solve Conflicts at Work