THE MIRROR EFFECT

A holistic guide to self-awareness and authentic leadership for women.

Gujrathi, a biotech entrepreneur and executive, offers strategies for overcoming self-doubt and navigating workplace challenges in this candid book. She defines “The Mirror Effect” as what happens when people reflect back one’s strengths and potential. The first part of the book focuses on internal work; the author discusses how to confront fear, insecurity, doubt, and shame, and offers techniques for defusing triggers. She unpacks four harmful work archetypes (the People-pleaser, the Impostor, the Bitch Boss, and the Micromanager) and advises adopting mantras and setting boundaries. The book’s second part focuses externally on organizational culture. Gujrathi identifies toxic workplace traits, such as cutthroat competition and gaslighting, and offers advice on how to protect and prioritize oneself. She introduces archetypes of “wounded people” in the workplace, including Tyrants, Rivals, and Deceivers, and offers strategies to respond to them. This section also addresses perception, biases, and finding work environments that align with your values. The book’s third part presents strategies for long-term growth, beginning with building a “personal board of directors” composed of mentors, role models, and subject-matter experts who can help make professional dreams a reality. The author also offers advice on negotiating a fair salary, regulating the nervous system, and tending to self-care. She concludes with a call to action for readers to “spread [their] wings and fly.” Gujrathi brings lived experience as both a woman of color and a C-suite insider to this step-by-step guide for transformation. She inspires introspection with probing questions like “Do you show yourself the same compassion you show the people you love?” She effectively illustrates her concepts with real-life anecdotes and examples of companies that excel in leadership, such as Patagonia, which has implemented its “Let My People Go Surfing” policy. However, some of the author’s suggestions, such as taking up journaling and yoga, are echoed in many other books within the self-help genre. Others, like “When you feel anxiety rising during a meeting, discreetly place one hand on your heart while continuing the conversation,” seem well-intentioned but may be impractical in corporate settings.

A modern leadership toolkit that hits some familiar notes.