Queen Esther's Business Tip
From Persia to Wall Street, Queen Esther's star shines.
is a truth here as valid today as it was
2,400 years ago."
That truth is neatly packaged into
chapter-sized lessons for Glaser and
I rom Persia to Wall Street,
Smalley's readers: Dress to take over the
there's a lot to be learned from
throne. Carry yourself like a queen.
Queen Esther, the heroine of
Establish a royal presence. Deal effec-
the Purim story.
tively with life's Hamans.
Call it the Esther effect or call it
Beyond the catchy phrases and
good business — it's the practical busi-
nuggets of wisdom is some good
nesswoman's guide to success, starring
advice. With the help of biblical con-
Queen Esther.
sultants and their colleague's success
In a book by two female authors —
stories, Glaser and Smalley proffer grit-
Barbara Smalley, a writer, and former
ty how-to's to today's driven women.
Detroiter Connie Glaser, a business-
"In addition to the
woman — Queen
overarching lessons one
Esther of Persia deftly
learns about having
imparts timeless lessons
courage of one's convic-
on "palace politics" to
tions and taking on lead-
modern readers.
ership when called upon,
The stuff of biblical
there are more practical
tales, it seems, has
strategies about commu-
become the stuff of
nications and plotting
good business.
strategy that could have
While Jews will be
been in the Harvard
taking a lesson from the
Business Review," Glaser
story' of Esther to cele-
tells JTA.
brate Purim on March
By Glaser's estimate,
7, Glaser and Smalley's
the book's most signifi-
new book, What Queen
Esther Knew: Business
Co-author Connie Glaser: cant chapter teaches
communication skills —
Strategies From a Biblical
"Esther is em blematic of
of which Queen Esther
Sage (Rodale; $19.95),
women's jou rney to self-
was a master.
says there are lessons
empowermen t."
When she addresses
about business strategy to
her husband, King
be learned.
Ahasuerus, Esther dresses royally —
Glaser, who lives in Atlanta with her
modern readers, think power suit. In
husband and two sons, grew up in
preparation for asking the king to save
Detroit and earned her bachelor and
the Jews, she invites him to her quar-
master degrees from the University of
ters — "Negotiators today know you
Michigan. She says she had an "Ah-a
_
have more clout and control on your
moment" when she realized that the
own turf," Glaser says.
heroine of the Purim story embodied
Esther learns that the king is indeci-
the characteristics she had been teaching
women for years as a corporate-commu- sive — "Study palace politics or corpo-
rate culture." Esther befriends the castle
nications consultant: poise, effective
eunuchs who advise the king — "Don't
communication and the conviction to
make the mistake that the receptionist,
stand up for what you believe in.
the janitor and administrative assistant
"The story of Esther is not only
aren't important!"
about miracles, but also about intellec-
Glaser says Esther can be as iconic
tual and spiritual resources," Glaser said
as the costumes she inspires for girls
in an interview.
each Purim. The story includes sound
In their pithy, pocket-sized book,
Jewish values like having compassion,
Glaser and Smalley focus on the story
ofa Jewish girl who becomes the queen having the courage of one's convic-
of Persia and goes on to save her people tions and standing up for one's beliefs.
"We all have, at some point in our
from the wicked Haman, as well as the
lives, a time like this — when we are
principles gleaned from Esther's tale,
called upon to meet the challenge
and the authors' modern-day Esthers.
and take the mantle of responsibili-
"The book weaves together ancient
ty. Ultimately, that defines who we
wisdom and modern insights," says
are and it reveals our character,"
Glaser, whose parents, Dolly and
Glaser says.
Bernie Brown, live in Franklin. "There
E.B. SOLOMONT
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
I
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