The Sandbox Series™
Addressing Workplace & Campus Issues
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PLAY SMART
READ AN EXCERPT ⬇
Author: Brigitte Gawenda Kimichik, JD
Welcome to
Play Smart
Book #2 of
The Sandbox Series
Seeking Success in a Male-Dominated Workplace?
LEARN HOW TO:
- build your professional network
- advocate for yourself
- toot your horn gracefully
- seek proper mentorship
- negotiate your salary or raise
- balance parenthood with career
- navigate the boys’ club culture confidently
- combat gender bias and unequal pay
- address sexual harassment with grace
Available at other booksellers:
BACK TO THE SANDBOX
Embark on a journey to unlock your full potential with Play Smart – Playground Strategies for Success in a Male-dominated Environment—your essential companion through the rough-and-tumble of male-centric workplaces. This book is a treasure trove of deep research, powerful personal narratives, and actionable self-help strategies crafted to enable women to soar amidst the complexities of male-dominated sectors.
Inside these pages lies the key to surmounting the hurdles that stand before you. Learn the art of cultivating a robust professional network, advocating for your interests, sidestepping gender biases, skillfully managing office dynamics, and staking your claim to well-earned promotions with poise and self-assurance.
A vital resource for anyone determined to leave their mark on industries typically ruled by men, author
Kimichik charts out a strategic course that promises not just to level the playing field but also to shatter the glass ceiling. Whether you’re a fresh entrant eager to hit the ground running or a seasoned professional seeking new strategies to navigate "the boys' club," this book is your blueprint for triumph.
Gear up to redefine success and lead the charge toward a more equitable workplace paradigm with Play Smart – your guide, mentor, and partner in carving a path to the top.
Early Praise for Play Smart
“Play Smart” is an essential read for any woman looking to build a positive reputation and rise in a competitive workplace. Kimichik’s advice empowers women to thrive at work while providing a roadmap for doing so.”
Elizabeth Javor for Reader Views
“PLAY SMART is a must-read for college graduates, particularly women, looking for valuable insights. The book's actionable solutions and strategies on how to navigate obstacles in a male-dominated workplace, along with relatable personal anecdotes, make it a compelling and empowering read.”
Kimberly Davis, Head of Compliance, Investment Company - Large Academic Endowment
“PLAY SMART offers a fresh perspective on the challenges women encounter in the workplace, offering practical solutions to navigate these obstacles. Fortunate to have been a partner in a law firm and member of organizations dedicated to empowering women in the legal profession, PLAY SMART provides effective tools to advancing gender equity. A must read for both men and women looking to create a more inclusive work environment.”
Rodney Acker,
Of Counsel,
Norton Rose Fulbright, US LLP;
Past President:
American College of Trial Lawyers
“PLAY SMART is a surprisingly relatable book that offers tactical advice for women in the corporate world… it offers concise points of comparison and ways to succeed while operating within the unique challenges women face in male dominated industries. I feel like this book was written just for me!”
Mia Blackman, Vice President, Crow Holdings Capital
“…What I appreciated the most about PLAY SMART is its clear emphasis … that respect in the workplace begins with excelling in the tasks assigned to us, a fundamental principle that every woman can and should adopt… effectively illustrating how focusing on personal performance can pave the way for professional success and respect in the workplace.”
Shauna King, Chief Transformation Officer,
PepsiCo (retired)
Vice President Finance and Business Operations,
Yale University (retired)
"PLAY SMART delivers a compelling blend of heartfelt advice and hard-hitting strategies for women navigating male-dominated environments in any field of work. As a vital contribution to the national dialogue on workplace gender equality, it offers a unique and essential perspective on achieving professional excellence.”
Dr. Chitra Fine, MD,
Anesthesiology (retired 2024)
“PLAY SMART, the highly anticipated second installment in the “Sandbox Series,” is a valuable resource for young professionals, especially women, seeking to thrive in the workplace…Whether aiming to excel professionally to help navigate difficult territory with confidence or to promote workforce equality, PLAY SMART is an essential read that offers guidance for success for women and important insight for men who seek to be allies.”
Joel L. Ross,
Former General Counsel of
Trammell Crow Company and Retired Partner of
Vinson & Elkins LLP
"UNLOCKING POTENTIAL WITH PLAY SMART
In PLAY SMART, Kimichik delves deeper into common obstacles women encounter in male-dominated sectors, such as pay disparities, exclusion from leadership roles, and biases. The book equips readers with strategies to build professional networks, advocate for themselves, negotiate salaries, balance career and parenthood and navigate the boys’ club mentality in corporate environments. Importantly, PLAY SMART isn’t exclusively for women. Brigitte clarifies, “It’s also about educating men on the vital contributions women bring to the workplace and why their support is essential.” When men and women collaborate effectively, companies experience significant benefits in morale, innovation, and profitability.”
STROLL PRESTON HOLLOW, FEBRUARY 2025
“Overall,
PLAY SMART is an essential read for any woman looking to build a positive reputation and rise in a competitive workplace. Kimichik’s advice empowers women to thrive at work while providing a roadmap for doing so.
I recommend this book to professional women and women who are looking to rise in their careers. Whether you’re just starting or are already an established professional,
PLAY SMART by Brigitte Gawenda Kimichik, JD provides excellent strategies for success.”
"PLAY SMART, the second book in The Sandbox Series, is a clever guide based on the common saying, “Play nice in the sandbox.” This book feels like the type of must-read you gift young women upon college graduation. The advice that Kimichik offers is practical and insightful. The author writes as someone who has ‘been there’ and understands how challenging it can be to face systemic gender biases, unequal pay, and cultural barriers.
This book is unique because it also offers essential lessons for men, providing them with ways to be allies and contribute to a more inclusive workplace. Kimichik’s balanced approach offers something for everyone, from professionals just entering the workforce to experienced leaders looking to advance their careers.”
The Sandbox Series™
Addressing Workplace & Campus Issues