"Some things are worth dying for. For everything else, you need a plan."
Fabiana Lacerca-Allen's father spoke these words to her when she was just a child, and at the time they put her on her professional path. She still lives by them today, as she carries out C-level roles for Fortune 100 companies and serves as a trusted advisor and board member for various organizations.
In her book, Lacerca-Allen shares her upbringing in Argentina, as she grew up during the time of military dictatorship in the country, when kidnappings were frequent, and she and her loved ones were targets. She longed to stand up and make a difference for her family, her friends, and her country…and during the years that followed, she did. After watching her father lead efforts for a democratic government, and then serve as the first state secretary of industry for the elected government, Lacerca-Allen earned a law degree in Argentina and went on to the U.S. to further study and get a master's degree in law.
Drawing on her background and experiences with high-stakes negotiations and value-driven leadership, Lacerca-Allen rose quickly to the top positions at well-known companies, where she has led global teams in compliance for the past three decades. Now, as she serves on boards and mentors young professionals, Lacerca-Allen regularly shares her experiences as a way to teach others how to be aware of their surroundings, improve their leadership strategies, and make decisions with the information they have.
Readers will learn of a time when Lacerca-Allen's family escaped a threat to their survival, along with a kidnapping attempt that took place at the apartment complex where she received tutoring for math. Lacerca-Allen tells of her father teaching her the "Six-Month Rule" to help her navigate her opportunities in the U.S. and how she negotiated for a relocation package, only to learn the need to self-assess and advocate for herself. She discusses the key components to being socially aware and picking up signs that others might overlook in both your life and workplace.
Readers will learn ways to carry out negotiations, manage the "gray areas" where it's not easy to see what is correct and what is now, and how to walk away from an environment that doesn't align with your values. By using emotional intelligence, Lacerca-Allen emphasizes that together we can inspire change, create more diverse settings, and be prepared to face whatever comes our way. After reading this book, you'll be ready to step out into the world as a true warrior, ready to make a difference in your own life and the lives of others.