The Most Powerful Woman in the Room Is You

Command an Audience and Sell Your Way to Success

By: Lydia Fenet

Narrated by: Lydia Fenet

Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Lydia Fenet, senior vice president of Christie’s and seasoned auctioneer, shares the secrets of success and the strategies behind her revolutionary sales approach to show you how to embrace and channel your own power in any room.

Who is the most powerful woman in the room? She’s the one who can raise a million dollars in a minute. She’s the one who can command the attention of a crowd of any size from one person to a crowd of 5,000. She’s the one who can sell anything to anyone, just by asking. She can be you.

As a senior executive at Christie’s, leader in her field, and one of Gotham Magazine’s most influential women in New York, Lydia Fenet knows firsthand the one skill that can set women apart in both their personal life and career is the ability to sell. The Most Powerful Woman in the Room Is You equips you with everything you need to know - from how to sell authentically and how to network (or die), to the importance of never apologizing (start negotiating instead), how to perfect your poker face, and always, always, tell the truth. Lydia shows us how to sharpen our personal kit of practical tools of the trade, such as finding your own “strike method”, or signature move, to help you feel confident from the minute you start any pitch. Most of all, she offers plenty of encouragement to take ownership in your position and look for opportunities to innovate.

Throughout, Lydia also shares personal and inspiring stories from her own life - like how she got her foot in the door at Christie’s after she was originally told there were no spots left in the intern program. And when she realized she was being paid a third of her worth - and how she came back more powerful than ever.

Filled with additional case studies, thoughtful insights, and meaningful advice from some of the most powerful and successful women in business, fashion, journalism, sports, and the arts, The Most Powerful Woman in the Room Is You is an empowering must-have guide that will have you winning over the audiences in all aspects of your life.

©2019 Lydia Fenet (P)2019 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

“We all agree that we need more women leaders—the question is how to get there. One of the answers is Lydia Fenet. With powerful lessons and practical tips, Lydia teaches you how to find your voice, unlock your talents, take charge of your career, and create the life you truly want to live." (Arianna Huffington)

“Lydia Fenet shares the secret sauce all women need to feel empowered…the most powerful woman in the room really is you!” (Barbara Corcoran)

The Most Powerful Woman In The Room Is Unrelatable

Blech. The audiobook is fine to listen to, but WOW is the content unrelatable! This book perpetuates the disappointing narrative that to become rich and powerful, you have to:

- Be born into wealth - the author references her time at private boarding schools as a critical foundation to her career.
- Be an extrovert - her advice is to "network or die," like it's just that easy for everyone. No acknowledgement that tons of people have social anxiety and/or have low energy levels for socializing.
- Sacrifice your time, wellbeing, and family to work 2 full time jobs - she talks about working through 3 pregnancies and returning to work within a couple weeks of giving birth. She has a full time nanny, and that's why she's able to have the career she does - and absolutely does not acknowledge that not everyone has access to in-home childcare.

I can't say this book has any good advice if you're looking for ways to improve your career while also maintaining your sanity. There are no REAL tips for REAL women who struggle with social anxiety, mental health, or physical health issues - hell there aren't even any tips for those of us who don't struggle with those things, but just want to sleep a full 8 hours/night!

Do not waste your time or money on this book, unless you've literally never struggled in your life, like the author.

Great advice for younger women

My 22 year old daughter recommended this to me since she knows I read and recommend dozens of similar books every year. I listened to the audio version (but played it at 1.25 speed since it was a bit slow for me) and found myself bookmarking many spots to make sure my daughter read those sections in her print copy. I didn’t hear anything new but this advice needs to be heard by those starting out so I will recommend it to that group. I was also thinking of referring to older women I know returning to work but at the very end, the author keeps giving advice about seeking out at learning from those in their 30s and 40s. I am 54 and still believe that I (and those older) have a lot to share and can be a great source of advice and networking opportunities for younger women but the author seems to dismiss the contributions of anyone over 50. Still, I will recommend this to the younger women I mentor.

Not what I thought...

I think I was expecting a motivational book.. This is a lot more like a memoir with a lot of name dropping of celebrities encountered during the authors auctioneer career. There are a few good thoughts but the book in its entirety didn't live up to what the title invokes a potential reader to expect as it's delivery.

Life-changing!!!

This book changed my life. It was everything I needed to hear and more. It gave me the motivation and tools I needed. It reassured me of things I already did and the confidence to keep goo. All the while, adding to it and refining it. It's beautifully narrated and moving. I recommend this to every woman of ALL ages. I truly believe this should be a required read. Phenomenal. I will be buying the paperback to keep in my library. I will also be creating my own breakfast as she did. This idea alone gave me back the passion and motivation inlost from being burnt out. This book is nothing short of an ideal self-help book. I will be buying this as gifts for every woman in my life from now on. WOW. JUST WOW! The skills taught in this book can be carried into any career and personal life. Of you are looking for self-growth in any pillar of your life, this can certainly make that happen. It even helped me with my stage fright (and a million other things I never expected!) thank you for writing this book.

Whoa Lydia

Lydia clearly feels she is the most powerful women in the universe, not the room. A room is not big enough for this ego. She talks for 5 hours about awesome she is, celebrity name dropping and Christie’s Christie’s Christie’s. Wish I could give Zero stars.

A must read for any aspiring working woman

It is motivating and hits all the notes any career woman juggling a job and children. The story is based on her career but hey, who doesn’t want to read about the amazing world of Christy’s. The story can be applied to any industry. There are multiple highlights in this book that I loved so much, that I will be purchasing the hard copy.

Easy listen/read with a great message!

Loved it. I had no idea who Lydia Fenet was, but the title grabbed my attention. It was just the confidence push I needed to take the next steps in my career path. She is definitely an inspiration, thanks Lydia for sharing your personal knowledge of how to leverage your femininity and your career at the same time.

Amidst the plethora of books on female empowerment

...this one stood out. Like so many such books it's not that the information that was shared is new. Rather, it's the energy, engaging stories, and personal perspective on what it takes to confidently step up and show up for your life that make Frenets book a must read.

The title says it all!!

YES! The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is YOU says it all... This is a must read for women at any stage of their career!! The advice is spot on. I found myself smiling and nodding Lydia told her story, and shared the stories of other powerful women.

If you are a woman rising your career, or a mentor of young professionals, put this one on your "must read" list for 2019!

For those of you who use Audible, Lydia narrates the book herself which adds richness and depth to the words.

(review written by Carla Howard - my husband Jeff and I share an Audible account)

Amazing book!

Thank you for all the gems 🔹. I have read this book 2x already and am still taking notes ♥️