Have just stumbled across this little gem of a book "What would Boudicca do?" My daughter has been reading it after finishing her school's production of the play "Boudicca" so I have borrowed it to share.
It turns to some of the most celebrated women from history for some light-hearted advice, two of my personal favourites (well I am British) are:
Boudicca - standing up for herself and a source of encouragement for anyone who struggles with assertiveness
Elizabeth I - a punchy communicator who used so called "soft skills" like persuasion, interpersonal skills, networking and powerful public speaking to push through tough decisions
Both demonstrated skills in their male-dominated worlds that wouldn't be out of place in today's modern workplace... of course, let's not chop any heads off, please!