The Mirrored Door

Break Through the Hidden Barrier That Locks Successful Women in Place

De: Ellen Connelly Taaffe

Narrado por: Ellen Connelly Taaffe

Unlock what's blocking your career, and open the door to new opportunity

At some point in their careers, many women encounter the mirrored door—the place where, when presented with opportunities, we reflect inward and hesitate, deem we’re not ready or worthy enough to move forward whether that is to raise our hands or go for the next role. But there is a way to break through, and to overcome the gendered expectations that girls and women internalize over our lifetimes that create a hidden barrier that keeps us from reaching our full potential.

Drawing on research, stories from her own career, and those of her students and the mid-late career women she has coached, Professor Ellen Taaffe explains why the five perils of success—being prepared to perfection, eager to please, trying to fit the mold, pushing too hard, and patiently performing and expecting rewards to follow—get us to a certain level, and then may prevent our taking the next step in our careers as expectations rise. She offers an empowering new framework for navigating the challenges of the workplace with more awareness and expertise.

With a firm grounding in research, Taaffe teaches us about the realities of the workplace, how it influences perceptions of women, and what we can do to overcome the distorted self-reflections that ultimately hold us back.

A former Fortune 50 senior executive turned board director and professor, Taaffe is on a mission for women to have more seats and voices at the table of workplace decisions. In The Mirrored Door, she guides us to assess ourselves and our situations realistically so that we can take charge of our career success and take the lead in our lives.

©2023 Ellen Taaffe (P)2023 Ellen Taaffe

Connecting the dots

This book made me feel seen in many ways, it connect a lot of different learnings I’ve had over the years, and brought new ones along as well. Recommend!

Wish I knew then what I know now

A meaningful career means navigating the choices with courage and intention. Ellen provides personal stories with life lessons relevant to all.

OUTSTANDING! Relatable and action-oriented too.

Ellen Taaffe is a highly regarded expert in her field, developing female leaders through her programs at the Kellogg MBA program at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Taaffe's concept of "The Mirrored Door" are the biases that women have internalized and don't even know that they have internalized (SO pernicious!) However, this insightful book shows you YOUR own mirrored door and the ones your friends and colleagues also have. Once you discover your mirrored door, Taaffe shows you how you blast through it and bring your mentees, colleagues and friends along with you.

I found the advice in her book extremely practical and her personal stories relatable and authentic. I especially enjoyed listening to the audio version, Taaffe's voice is calming, warm, and grounding, Buy this book for yourself and the women in your life, from high school seniors to college graduates to mid-career and beyond!