The Mirrored Door: Break Through the Hidden Barrier that Locks Successful Women in Place

A career guidebook for women to design their own success in the face of external and internal biases that zap our energy and leave us stuck in place. Drawing on research and stories from her career and women she has coached, Professor Ellen Taaffe unpacks the gendered expectations that girls and women internalize over their lifetimes that create a hidden barrier that keeps them from reaching their full potential. It is 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 to raise our hands or go for the next role. 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 a new, empowering framework for navigating the challenges of the workplace with more awareness and expertise. Taaffe argues that we are more ready than we realize. Although women might be locked out of opportunities because of old-school systems and structures, we may also be locking ourselves in. With a firm grounding in research, Taaffe teaches us about the realities of the workplace, how it influences perceptions of women, and how we can overcome the distorted self-reflection that ultimately holds 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 teaches us how to assess ourselves and our situations realistically so that we can take charge of our career success and take the lead in our lives.