This Isn’t Working: How Women Can Overcome Stress and Overload to Find Success

After hearing so much buzz about Meghan French Dunbar’s approach to corporate culture, I finally dived in. It felt like someone finally turned the lights on in a room where I’d been fumbling for years. The way she articulates the exhaustion of the hustle-culture grind is both convicting and deeply validating. It isn’t just another 'girlboss' manifesto; it’s a rigorous dismantling of the old-school business models that are currently failing all of us. I found the research-backed sections particularly grounding because they moved the conversation from 'feelings' to 'facts' about why we are so burnt out. Truth is, I started highlighting so many passages that I basically turned the book yellow. It’s a necessary, hopeful shakeup for anyone who suspects there must be a better way to work without losing your soul.

The chapter on the 'Old Playbook' of business was a total game-changer for my perspective. Personally, I’ve always felt a bit like a round peg in a square hole within the corporate world, and Dunbar explains exactly why that is. This book provides a new model of leadership that prioritizes well-being without sacrificing the bottom line, which is a balance I previously thought was impossible. The writing style is conversational yet authoritative, blending personal stories from various women with hard data that backs up every claim. It’s a relief to see a leadership book that doesn't just demand more productivity but asks for more humanity instead. I’ve already started implementing the communication tips with my own team, and the shifts in morale are already visible. It’s a lot to process, but it is worth every second.

Look, I’m not usually one for business books because they often feel like they’re shouting slogans at you. However, this one caught me off guard with its sincerity and depth. While the author clearly writes with a female audience in mind, the insights into workplace dynamics and leadership are universally applicable to anyone tired of the status quo. I appreciated the actionable tips scattered throughout, though I did find some of the earlier chapters a bit dense. Still, the core message is vital. It’s a solid read that pushed me to rethink how I support my colleagues and how I manage my own energy levels. Not gonna lie, it made me realize I’ve been accepting some pretty toxic 'norms' for far too long. Definitely worth picking up for the perspective shift alone.

Picked this up during a particularly brutal week at the office, and it was exactly the lifeline I needed. Meghan French Dunbar doesn't just point out what’s broken; she offers a vibrant, research-backed vision for what a healthy workplace should actually look like. The personal anecdotes from other successful women were incredibly powerful because they proved that 'success' doesn't have to mean 'exhaustion.' I loved how the book challenges us to build something saner rather than just trying to survive a flawed system. The tone is perfectly balanced—hopeful but grounded in the harsh reality of today’s economy. This isn't just a book to read once; it’s a manual for anyone who wants to lead with more empathy and less ego. I’ve recommended it to three people already this morning.

Wow. This book is a total powerhouse. Every single chapter hit me like a reality check I didn't know I needed. We’ve been pretending we’re 'fine' for so long that we’ve forgotten what it’s like to actually thrive in our careers. Meghan French Dunbar brings such a unique, refreshing perspective to leadership that centers on the human being rather than just the output. It’s a call to action to stop following a script that was never written for us in the first place. I particularly loved the stories from the women she interviewed; their vulnerability and wisdom are so inspiring. It's rare to find a book that offers both a high-level critique of society and tiny, actionable things you can do tomorrow. Truly a must-read for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the grind.

Ever wonder why we’re all so tired even when we’re succeeding? This book answers that question with a mix of radical honesty and clinical precision. I found the 'New Playbook' framework to be an excellent tool for reassessing my own career goals. To be fair, some of the personal narratives felt a little long-winded, but the underlying data is so strong that it keeps the momentum going. It’s a book about leadership, yes, but it’s also about reclaiming your life from a culture that demands constant availability. My biggest takeaway was the focus on well-being as a metric for success rather than just a luxury. If you’re a high-achiever who feels like you’re hitting a wall, this might just be the pivot you need. Great read, very eye-opening.

As someone who is just starting out in my career, I feel so lucky that this book found its way to me now. It has completely reframed how I think about ambition and success before I could get sucked into the 'Old Playbook' habits. Frankly, I think this should be required reading in every business school. It’s not just about 'self-care'—it’s about structural change and building industries that actually serve society. The writing is clear, the research is solid, and the tone is incredibly supportive without being soft. I loved the emphasis on building something saner together. It’s a relief to know that the burnout I see in my older colleagues isn't an inevitable part of the job. There is a different way, and this book proves it.

Finally got around to this after seeing it all over my feed, and the hype is real. As someone who has been in management for years, I found the insights into workplace dynamics to be some of the most profound I’ve ever read. Dunbar challenges you to stop being a passive participant in a broken system and start being a catalyst for real change. The tone is punchy and direct, avoiding the usual corporate platitudes that make my eyes roll. Instead, she gives us hardcore truths about why we’re exhausted. It’s part leadership shakeup and part personal recovery guide. I finished it feeling energized and, for the first time in a while, actually hopeful about the future of work. Every leader should have this on their desk.

Direct and to the point: this book is a necessary intervention for the business world. I appreciated the way Meghan French Dunbar doesn't pull any punches when describing how the current system fails women and marginalized groups specifically. In my experience, most leadership books ignore the systemic issues and just tell you to work harder, so this was a breath of fresh air. I did think the middle section dragged a bit with the case studies, but the overall message is so powerful that I didn't mind too much. It’s a 4-star read that I’ll likely return to whenever I feel myself slipping back into that 'hustle' mindset. It’s high time we stopped accepting 'normal' as 'good enough.' Solid, research-backed advice for the modern age.

Not what I expected initially, to be frank. While I agree with the author’s premise that the current business world is dysfunctional, I found some of the proposed solutions to be a bit idealistic for those of us working in more traditional, rigid industries. The research is certainly there, and the writing is engaging, but I struggled to see how some of these 'new playbook' moves would fly in my specific corporate environment. That being said, the sections on burnout were incredibly relatable and helped me put names to feelings I’ve had for a decade. It’s a decent read for the perspective shift alone, even if the implementation feels like a bit of a mountain to climb. I’d say it’s a 3.5 but rounding down because I wanted more specific advice for entry-level employees.