Successful Sister


Non-Fiction - Womens
40 Pages
Reviewed on 05/06/2024
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Jon Michael Miller for Readers' Favorite

Successful Sister by Alicia Robinson is a short book that might be read as a presentation at a trade conference, but, though brief, its inherent wisdom extends to all readers. Ms. Robinson dedicates this tract to her sisters—both family and trade. She is a construction steamfitter who has risen in the leadership ranks, and her success in this male-dominated job environment gives her the authenticity to offer advice and motivation to us all. Her voice is one from the muscle-required worksite where language is direct, heartfelt, and assertive. Her voice often evokes laughter in its street-level truisms and its pluck. Ms. Robinson is not afraid to speak her mind. She begins by advising her “sisters” to fight against all those who advise them to “put their purse down,” a disparaging phrase that means stop acting like a female. Her rise in the brotherhood of pipe-fitters is extraordinary, but she admits that part of her physical and mental strength comes from being raised in a tough military family.

Ms. Robinson’s direct, no-nonsense street talk shot through more literary language and hit me straight between the eyes. I thought, “This author knows what she is talking about!” And I heard her voice as well as read her short, sharp sentences. Her book is about how to achieve success, particularly in the workplace, but she does not exclude family life. She distinguishes between happiness and fulfillment, the former something that comes and goes, but the latter a permanent state we all hope to achieve in our lives. And though we learn about mechanical piping, polyvinylidene, fabrication spools, wrenches, and PPE, we also learn about the importance of servitude, sincerity, critical thinking, empathy, resilience, and integrity, each with its own chapter. Alicia Robinson’s Successful Sister is an inspiring, direct, kind, down-to-earth guide to success that will map the way forward for the reader, no matter male or female, worker or executive. And by grit, stamina, and service, Ms. Robinson has earned the right to guide us all.

Doreen Chombu

Successful Sister by Alicia Robinson is a guide that aims to empower women and help them achieve meaningful success. Alicia works in the male-dominated trade of steamfitting. She is proud of her job, and being a mother, and wishes to help other women find fulfillment in their lives. She shares her understanding of success and the traits of success that she has learned over the years. These include servitude, which means being helpful, humble, and appreciative; sincerity, which means being authentic and trustworthy; critical thinking, which involves being an effective communicator; empathy, resilience, and integrity. The author offers practical advice and inspiration and shares her experiences, paving the way for a new generation of strong, confident individuals who are unafraid to chase their dreams and make a difference in the world.

Alicia Robinson's Successful Sister provides a valuable perspective on achieving success, particularly for women in non-traditional roles. Through sharing personal anecdotes, creative acronyms, and insightful metaphors, Alicia emphasizes the importance of authenticity, emotional intelligence, and effective communication in pursuing one's goals. While the book targets women, the principles discussed can apply to anyone striving for fulfillment and success in their chosen field or any other aspect of life. Alicia's passion for empowering women is evident, and she shares details about her family and personal life, which adds an authentic and relatable touch. Her unwavering commitment to sharing her wisdom and experiences serves as a reminder that challenging societal norms and pursuing one's passions is possible. This book is a must-read resource that provides valuable lessons and encouragement for achieving success.

Iza Grek

When I started to read Successful Sister by Alicia Robinson, I thought it was a perspective on women's liberation, which it is not and yet sort of is. Alicia describes the challenges of working in a man’s world in her job as a steamfitter. She details the job in a highly mechanized industry where heavy metals and polymers are some of the materials handled in her day-to-day activities. Assumed to be the domain of men exclusively, her job has its own challenges. “We weld with torches, we glue, solder, braze, we fuse plastics…” the author writes, listing some of the day's tasks. Her appeal to "sisters" is to her blood relatives but also to sisters in the broader sense. She targets all women, especially those working in a man’s world.

In Successful Sister, author Alicia Robinson also provides a perspective on leadership skills. She identifies herself as a leader and talks about her passion for building people up. She lists seven leadership skills. Among the qualities are compassion and authenticity. What Alicia says is nothing new, but she has packaged it in a light, easily accessible way. This book can be used as a handy guide to dip into the qualities of leadership whenever one wants a quick reference to some of the features of what it takes to be a good leader, or to polish up on some skills. I would recommend this book for general reading and especially for women interested in traditionally male-dominated careers.

K.C. Finn

Successful Sister is a work of non-fiction in the women’s writing, slice-of-life, and advice genres. Penned by author Alicia Robinson, the work explores the journey of women in non-traditional trades, delving into the essence of success and how to achieve it within the trades industry. Robinson highlights seven key traits of successful individuals and emphasizes the significance of emotional intelligence in pursuing success. With a focus on effective communication and understanding the people-driven nature of various industries, Robinson offers insights into navigating challenges and thriving in male-dominated fields.

Author Alicia Robinson has crafted an eye-opener that provides valuable insights into achieving success in non-traditional trades and a wider understanding of gender concepts within the world of work. Robinson's candid approach and unapologetic tone challenge traditional notions of success, empowering readers to embrace their authentic selves and pursue their goals with confidence. I felt that the smooth, direct nature of the narration was a great match for the book’s overall message of strength and empowerment, and I really got to know the author and her own life experiences along the way. As I delved into the pages, I appreciated Robinson's emphasis on emotional intelligence and effective communication as essential tools for success in any industry, as this is often such an overlooked aspect. Her exploration of the traits of successful individuals was well-conceived and organized, and it will no doubt encourage others to reflect on their own journeys and aspirations. Overall, Successful Sister a compelling and empowering read filled with passion and authenticity, and I would recommend it to anyone striving to thrive in their chosen field.

Jennie More

Successful Sister by Alicia Robinson is a memoir about leading through effective communication in a male-dominated industry. Robinson fills a supervisory role as a steamfitter and speaks about her experiences heading up a team of predominantly men and a smaller percentage of women and her role as a leader. She shares her journey of discovering what success means to her and evaluates the difference between happiness and fulfillment. This short motivational book gets straight to the point as she lists the seven traits of success and how success looks different for each person. This easy-to-read book will keep you engaged and entertained as Robinson’s witty yet purposeful personality delights and inspires. Though mainly targeting women, her teachings on leadership, success, and communication are relevant to everyone.

Successful Sister by Alicia Robinson is a candid, engaging, and inspirational book. Robinson is a charismatic writer. Her personality shines through powerfully in her words, which can be a difficult feat even for the most experienced writers yet appears effortless for her. After reading this book, I felt like I knew Alicia Robinson. Her tone is sassy yet friendly, and I enjoyed this aspect of it because it was as if I could hear the author speaking. When a writer gets their voice across well, reading is more enjoyable because understanding becomes seamless. She gives a lot of food for thought and leaves you contemplating your meaning of success, how you perceive your life experiences, and how you can improve your communication. Successful Sister is a very good read.