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

At some point in their careers, many women encounter the “mirrored door” ― the place where, when presented with opportunities, they look inward and hesitate, determining they’re not ready or worthy enough to speak up or advance professionally. In her book The Mirrored Door: Break Through the Hidden Barrier that Locks Successful Women in Place, Ellen Connelly Taaffe, clinical associate professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, draws on research, stories from her own career, and those of her students and the mid-late career women she has coached. 

Taaffe explains why women get to a certain level, and then encounter barriers that prevent them from taking the next step in their careers as expectations rise. She brings a new framework to this conversation, with immediately actionable ideas, identifying the barriers that come from within. 

In this book club series, we will meet during four (virtual) sessions to navigate and discuss the three sections of Taaffe’s book and conclude the series with a session with the author herself. While it is advisable to read each section of the book prior to the sessions, you will benefit from participating even if you have not read the full section we are discussing. This is a no-judgment book club! Come, learn, and share what you know from your own experience.

Facilitated by WEST Advisory Board members, and executive coaches Etta Jacobs and Tammy Gooler Loeb, each session will be highly interactive and friendly! Optional exercises and activities to do in between sessions to support your goals and interests will be offered.

Session 3 - Break Through: To the Gifts Across the Threshold

We will step through the mirrored door into our growth with grit and gravitas. As we develop the awareness of our fears, and challenges, we will step forward to apply the strategies we learned, with greater courage and confidence. Most of all, we will have strengthened our sense of community and common language throughout this series, to support one another as we each take steps to carry ourselves in ways that align with our interests, values, and goals.