She Thinks Like a Boss by Jemma Roedel Summary

Introduction: The New Era of Female Leadership

She Thinks Like a Boss: Leadership by Jemma Roedel is a powerful, action-oriented guide aimed at helping new female leaders step into their roles with clarity, confidence, and competence. The book is designed to help women overcome common psychological barriers, build resilience, and acquire practical leadership skills for real-world application in business and the workplace.

Roedel’s tone is practical yet motivating, striking a balance between supportive mentorship and no-nonsense advice. The book is ideal for women stepping into management roles for the first time or for those aspiring to climb the leadership ladder.

The Core Philosophy

The foundation of Roedel’s leadership framework rests on empowerment through self-awareness and strategy. She believes that women face unique challenges in leadership—like imposter syndrome, underestimation, and communication biases—and need a targeted toolkit that goes beyond generic leadership advice.

Her mission: Equip women with tangible leadership tools, mindset shifts, and confidence-boosting techniques.

She breaks down leadership into 9 essential skills, dedicating a chapter to each, while interspersing real-life scenarios, practical exercises, and self-assessments to reinforce learning.

Skill 1: Vision – Creating a Clear and Compelling Direction

Great leaders don’t just manage; they inspire. The first skill Roedel outlines is the ability to create and communicate a compelling vision.

Key Insights:

• Vision vs. Goals: A vision is a long-term picture of success, while goals are the steps to get there.
• Leaders need to anchor their teams with a sense of purpose.
• Roedel encourages new leaders to ask, “What do I stand for? Where are we headed?”

Action Steps:

• Draft a vision statement for your team or department.
• Use storytelling to make the vision engaging and memorable.
• Align your team’s daily tasks with the bigger picture.

Skill 2: Self-Awareness – Knowing Your Strengths and Blind Spots

Self-awareness is described as the foundation of effective leadership. Without it, even the best intentions can backfire.

Key Insights:

• Understand your personality type, stress triggers, and leadership style.
• Recognize imposter syndrome and other internalized doubts.
• Practice emotional regulation—your emotions set the tone for your team.

Tools Provided:

• A self-assessment quiz
• Emotional triggers journal template
• SWOT analysis for personal growth

Roedel writes, “You can’t manage a team until you know how to manage yourself.”

Skill 3: Emotional Intelligence – Mastering People Skills

One of the most essential tools for any leader—especially women—is emotional intelligence (EQ). Roedel defines EQ as the ability to perceive, control, and evaluate emotions—both your own and others’.

Components of EQ:

• Self-regulation
• Empathy
• Social skills
• Motivation
• Self-awareness

Why EQ Matters:

• High EQ leaders inspire trust and loyalty.
• It improves team morale, performance, and collaboration.
• Empathetic leadership leads to stronger workplace culture.

Practice Tips:

• Use “I” statements instead of “you” accusations.
• Pause before responding in emotionally charged moments.
• Ask for feedback regularly.

Skill 4: Confidence – Owning the Room Without Apology

Roedel notes that confidence isn’t about arrogance; it’s about trusting your competence. Women are often socialized to underestimate their abilities or wait until they’re “100% ready.” This chapter dismantles that myth.

Highlights:

• Rewire self-talk: replace “I’m not sure” with “I believe.”
• Practice power poses and voice projection in meetings.
• Stop over-apologizing and using qualifiers like “just” or “maybe.”

Practical Confidence Builders:

• Daily affirmations
• 30-second introduction challenge
• Saying “no” without guilt

Roedel emphasizes: “Confidence is built by doing—not by waiting.”

Skill 5: Communication – Speaking With Clarity, Not Complexity

Communication is at the heart of leadership. Whether giving feedback, leading meetings, or resolving conflict, female leaders must master clear, concise, and courageous communication.

Key Points:

• Avoid over-explaining or hedging your statements.
• Replace indirect language (“I was thinking maybe…”) with direct phrasing (“Here’s my proposal…”).
• Learn to deliver constructive feedback using the “SBI method”: Situation, Behavior, Impact.

Effective Communication Tools:

• 3-part feedback formula
• Public speaking checklist
• Team meeting structure template

She stresses that clarity is kindness—in both positive and corrective conversations.

Skill 6: Decision-Making – Leading Without Second-Guessing

Decision-making is one area where many new leaders, especially women, struggle. Fear of being wrong or criticized often leads to analysis paralysis. Roedel teaches how to decide confidently and swiftly.

Key Takeaways:

• Gather just enough information to act—not everything.
• Trust data but don’t ignore intuition.
• Use the 80/20 rule: focus on high-impact choices.

Strategies Offered:

• Pro/Con matrix for major decisions
• Scenario mapping
• Delegation flowchart

Decision-making is a muscle that strengthens through action, not hesitation.

Skill 7: Delegation – Working Smarter, Not Harder

Trying to do everything is a fast track to burnout. Roedel explains that effective leaders delegate to empower, not to offload.

Important Mindset Shift:

• Delegating isn’t laziness—it’s strategic leadership.
• Trust your team. Micromanagement kills motivation.

How to Delegate Well:

• Be specific about expectations and deadlines.
• Match tasks to team members’ strengths.
• Create accountability loops with check-ins.

Roedel provides a delegation planner worksheet that helps leaders identify what to keep, delegate, or eliminate.

Skill 8: Conflict Management – Navigating Difficult Conversations

Conflict is inevitable in leadership. What matters is how you handle it. Roedel teaches women to lean into discomfort and approach conflict as an opportunity for growth.

Conflict Myths Debunked:

• Conflict doesn’t mean drama—it can be healthy.
• Avoiding issues causes more harm than addressing them.
• You can be assertive and compassionate.

Conflict Resolution Tools:

• The “Yes, And” technique for validation and redirection
• 5-step conflict resolution model
• Active listening and mirroring

Mastering conflict builds your authority and credibility as a leader.

Skill 9: Strategic Thinking – Playing the Long Game

Leadership isn’t just about the now—it’s about thinking ahead. Strategic thinking helps leaders see the bigger picture and make moves that align with long-term objectives.

Essentials of Strategic Thinking:

• Be curious about trends and patterns.
• Think in systems, not just actions.
• Align daily tasks with quarterly or annual goals.

Exercises Included:

• Vision-mission-goals alignment map
• Weekly strategic planning worksheet
• SWOT analysis for your team

Strategic leaders stay out of the weeds and guide the ship, not just row it.

Final Chapter: Leading as a Whole Woman

Roedel ends the book on an empowering note: You don’t need to become a man to lead like a boss. Leadership isn’t about pretending to be someone you’re not—it’s about owning your identity, values, and feminine power.

She encourages women to:

• Build a support network of like-minded leaders.
• Take care of their mental and physical wellbeing.
• Redefine leadership on their own terms.

Key Themes Throughout the Book

1. Mindset First, Tactics Second

Leadership starts with internal work—confidence, clarity, resilience—before it translates into external behaviors.

2. Authenticity Over Perfection

Roedel champions authentic leadership. It’s okay to be vulnerable, make mistakes, and ask for help.

3. Leadership Is a Skill, Not a Trait

You’re not born a leader—you become one through learning, reflection, and action.

Quotes from the Book

“You don’t need to shout to be heard. You just need to speak with certainty.”

“Confidence isn’t a feeling—it’s a decision you make every day.”

“Clear is kind. Vague is cruel. Learn to say what you mean without apology.”

“Leadership starts with leading yourself.”

Who Should Read This Book?

• Women stepping into leadership for the first time
• Aspiring entrepreneurs or managers
• HR professionals mentoring female staff
• Female founders seeking structure in their leadership style

It’s a toolkit, a mirror, and a mentor—all wrapped into one accessible book.

Final Thoughts: Why This Book Matters

She Thinks Like a Boss is more than a leadership manual—it’s a movement to normalize women in power and provide them the tools to thrive. Jemma Roedel distills years of leadership wisdom into a digestible, empowering format that is especially suited for today’s workplace challenges.

In a world that often critiques female leaders for being “too much” or “not enough,” this book is a refreshing reminder that you are exactly the right person for the job—once you believe it yourself.