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Mistakes I Made at Work: 25 Influential Women Reflect on What They Got Out of Getting It Wrong
High-achieving women share their worst mistakes at work—and how learning from them paved the way to success.
Named by Fast Company as a "Top 10 Book You Need to Read This Year"
In Mistakes I Made at Work, a Publishers Weekly Top 10 Business Book for Spring 2014, Jessica Bacal interviews twenty-five successful women about their toughest on-the-job moments. These innovators ...more
Named by Fast Company as a "Top 10 Book You Need to Read This Year"
In Mistakes I Made at Work, a Publishers Weekly Top 10 Business Book for Spring 2014, Jessica Bacal interviews twenty-five successful women about their toughest on-the-job moments. These innovators ...more
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A promising concept, but disappointingly flimsy on the ground. I was drawn to the theme and to what I could see of the interviewee list (Ruth Ozeki! Kim Gordon!), but, with rare exceptions, found a lot of the accounts disappointingly insubstantial -- more of a primer/introductory volume for young women just starting out in the workforce than for seasoned professionals. This may be because Bacal is the Director of Smith College's Center for Work and Life, so college-aged women are her usual audie
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My main takeaway from this book was that nobody has it all figured it out. Even people at the very top have had failures.
This book includes lots of interesting stories of women at work. It is a pretty quick read.
It was indeed useful to read stories of failures. That way I think it is easier to embrace your own failures down the road. That’s important, otherwise it might hold you back and you don't end up doing anything, thus failing before starting.
Good piece of advice for passion: "If you don ...more
This book includes lots of interesting stories of women at work. It is a pretty quick read.
It was indeed useful to read stories of failures. That way I think it is easier to embrace your own failures down the road. That’s important, otherwise it might hold you back and you don't end up doing anything, thus failing before starting.
Good piece of advice for passion: "If you don ...more
A revolutionary idea --- talk about mistakes and what you learned from them! And then ask well-known women to contribute! Great premise executed well. I enjoyed reading about the various experiences, backgrounds and professions and could see the commonality of professional women navigating organizational and relational challenges. The chapters that I found most helpful 25 years into my career are the ones about giving oneself time to really understand what will make one happy at work and life --
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Mistakes I made at Work is a must-read. Not only is the author's voice (in the preview sections of each of the four parts) really accessible and down-to-earth, the essays themselves are priceless. They are easy to digest and end with "tips" which are great take-away messages. I book-marked and highlighted at least a third of the book to return to (for myself or my students whom I mentor).
The book itself is a collection of essays by 25 really successful women. Part 1 is about telling your own sto ...more
The book itself is a collection of essays by 25 really successful women. Part 1 is about telling your own sto ...more
I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I'm in a reading group in law school where we read about and discuss gender equality in the legal professional and business world, so I've been reading a lot of these types of books lately and this one didn't initially stand out to me. By the end though, I found myself really enjoying the essays and finding all kinds of life tips for the future. I read a digital galley, but I'll be buying a hard copy to keep on my shelf as soon as it comes ou
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The mistakes themselves were not such a big deal, I just liked hearing from other women and have them own up to mistakes. Makes me feel human in a sea of humans
Note: the narrator on the audiobook was not great
Note: the narrator on the audiobook was not great
I liked the vignettes so much that the library said I spilled too much coffee on the book. I made a mistake and had to buy them a new book.
This was such an excellent book. I actually found myself taking notes! I would recommend this book to every person I know...regardless of gender...seriously. A quick, entertaining read with a wealth of knowledge to boot! I'd like to own this book.
“Mistakes I Made At Work” is an excellent book, a collection of essays by some truly extraordinary and accomplished women, who do something utterly refreshing and ultimately revolutionary - they speak about what they did wrong and what that meant to them.
“Any bias you face is complicated by being female.” Dr. Shirley Malcom
The essayists are writers and politicians, rockstars and activists, entrepreneurs and scientists, mothers and executives, all dedicated to what one of them calls the “growth ...more
“Any bias you face is complicated by being female.” Dr. Shirley Malcom
The essayists are writers and politicians, rockstars and activists, entrepreneurs and scientists, mothers and executives, all dedicated to what one of them calls the “growth ...more
This book perked my interest because I am what you would consider a middle-manager at my work place. My education was based on direct patient care, not on management issues. So I was very interested in what these accomplished women who provided narratives on their mistakes in the workplace had to say. We learn from our mistakes, and perhaps we can learn from others. This book is set up with narratives, stories in these women's own words. It's as though the person is sitting across from the table
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*I received a digital galley of this book through Penguin's First to Read program.
Many of the chapters are really informative and have tips that would be applicable to different types of women entering the workforce in any given field. I found that the chapters that had very little to do with my chosen profession had some of the most memorable and useful advice. However, others chapters are less universal and seemed less aware of the privilege of the interviewee. Although there are a few section ...more
Many of the chapters are really informative and have tips that would be applicable to different types of women entering the workforce in any given field. I found that the chapters that had very little to do with my chosen profession had some of the most memorable and useful advice. However, others chapters are less universal and seemed less aware of the privilege of the interviewee. Although there are a few section ...more
This book hit me at the right time. I really enjoyed reading of other women's experiences in the working world and how they choose to navigate issues as they arose.
(Got an uncorrected proof of this book through the First Reads program.)
I think this is a light but really great book. It is light (sometimes a bit too light...I'd have liked a bit more depth in some of the chapters) reading, very conversational and relatable, and does a good job at what I think is it's main point: demonstrating to women that they are not alone in making, obsessing over, and struggling to learn from their mistakes. (I also think that young men would find this useful, especially ...more
I think this is a light but really great book. It is light (sometimes a bit too light...I'd have liked a bit more depth in some of the chapters) reading, very conversational and relatable, and does a good job at what I think is it's main point: demonstrating to women that they are not alone in making, obsessing over, and struggling to learn from their mistakes. (I also think that young men would find this useful, especially ...more
I didn't technically finish this. I don't usually rate books I don't finish, but I did not get much out of this book, although this probably had to do with it not being suited to the audiobook format. The sections were poorly delineated, so it wasn't clear whose perspective you were hearing. I wish the author had written it all from her perspective and kept the tone more cohesive and consistent. The narrator was inappropriately chipper at times. (It was like a kindergarten teacher telling her st
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I found this book very inspirational and motivational.
"It never occurred to me to try to write a perfect book, or one that was better than another writer's book. I just thought, 'I'm going to write a book,' and I knew it would be one that no one else could write, because no one else is me."
- Lisa Lutz
"I've since learned that taking a 'screw that' attitude doesn't allow for growth. These days, if a criticism upsets me, I'll ask for a break. For example, I might say, "I'm really feeling what you'v ...more
"It never occurred to me to try to write a perfect book, or one that was better than another writer's book. I just thought, 'I'm going to write a book,' and I knew it would be one that no one else could write, because no one else is me."
- Lisa Lutz
"I've since learned that taking a 'screw that' attitude doesn't allow for growth. These days, if a criticism upsets me, I'll ask for a break. For example, I might say, "I'm really feeling what you'v ...more
A quick read that probably won't solve your work-related problems but may resonate.
It's divided into four sections: Taking Charge of Your Narrative, Learning to Ask, Learning to Say No and Learning Resilience. The hardest lesson for me is Learning to Ask.
Women interviewed for this book include Ruth Reichl, Ruth Ozeki and Cheryl Strayed. But also included were top businesswomen such as Joanna Barsh; attorneys such as Lani Guinier; and engineers such as Cori Latham. These women discuss shame, in ...more
It's divided into four sections: Taking Charge of Your Narrative, Learning to Ask, Learning to Say No and Learning Resilience. The hardest lesson for me is Learning to Ask.
Women interviewed for this book include Ruth Reichl, Ruth Ozeki and Cheryl Strayed. But also included were top businesswomen such as Joanna Barsh; attorneys such as Lani Guinier; and engineers such as Cori Latham. These women discuss shame, in ...more
This is a wonderful book. It even has a chapter in it for public speakers everywhere. The book showcases twenty-five successful women, giving them a forum to talk about the mistakes they’ve made, especially early on in their careers. I guess these are smart, successful women so they made fewer mistakes as they went on. I’m envious; I seem to keep making mistakes.
What’s great about the book is that the women telling stories in it actually do talk about their mistakes, instead of the usual, oh isn ...more
What’s great about the book is that the women telling stories in it actually do talk about their mistakes, instead of the usual, oh isn ...more
I've been looking for female-focused business/management books to help me navigate some of the trickier aspects of being a young female manager, so I thought this would be an interesting read. This book is made up of interviews with successful women across many industries, coming from a variety of backgrounds, in which they discuss the topic of workplace mistakes and what they learned. Each chapter begins with a short overview/bio from the author, then launches into a first person narrative from
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We've all made mistakes, some of which are hugely embarrassing. So I give kudos to these women who generously confessed professional mistakes they made--and some of them are real whoppers. The point of this book by Jessica Bacal is to find out what these women learned from those mistakes and how it changed them. In a society that values perfection and ridicules to the point of shaming those who err publicly, this book elevates mistakes--even lauds them--because of the good that can come out of t
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This book was recommended to me by another friend who also works in a male-dominated industry. I like that there were many different opinions and stories shared by many different women as opposed to listening to only one or two women describe their mistakes and what they learned from them. There is a lot of good advice and I feel it would be beneficial for someone starting their first job (or even while still in college or even High School) but I also found many sections to highlight myself and
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I thought this was a great book. It reads well, and I felt jam-packed with valuable lessons, with no part that dragged on or lost my attention. I found myself thinking about work situations and my own aspirations and thinking of ways to apply the lessons to my own life. I like the format, and while I was a bit disappointed that not all of the contributors really laid out a mistake they'd made, every chapter certainly had an impact. I have also compiled a long list of books, articles, and website
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Oncw yeu get over feeling like you really should have gone to Smith College, there is some great advice and some inspiration in here. Throughout the whole book however, and in every single chapter (interview) I couldn't shake two thoughts 1) I wish there was more depth in each interview, it was often hard not to chaulk up some of these stories of success (as they ultimately are), to having privileged backgrounds and having gone to really good schools (Smith, mostly) , and 2) a great many men, sp
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What a terrific book. I encourage anyone looking for inspiration, or at least a remedy for that little critical voice inside your head that likes to remind you of all of your f*ck ups!
My only...I don't know if I'd call it a gripe...but it bugged me that the majority of the women interviewed were affiliated with Smith College. That's not a bad thing, but it came across like favoritism on the part of the author.
That said, I'm still going to pass this book along to some of my friends and family.
My only...I don't know if I'd call it a gripe...but it bugged me that the majority of the women interviewed were affiliated with Smith College. That's not a bad thing, but it came across like favoritism on the part of the author.
That said, I'm still going to pass this book along to some of my friends and family.
I won this book from Early Readers at LibraryThing. The articles were from 25 women who had made mistakes in the work careers but learned from these mistakes and grew and advanced because of them.
All of the women who wrote articles gave an example and then summarized the points made at the end of each essay. All of the women included in this book are successful in their given careers. I would like to have had some examples of more common women who have struggled and won as well.
All of the women who wrote articles gave an example and then summarized the points made at the end of each essay. All of the women included in this book are successful in their given careers. I would like to have had some examples of more common women who have struggled and won as well.
There are two messages that students, especially girls, get about making mistakes: one says they are learning opportunities, and the other says to avoid them at all costs. The women who contribute essays and tips to this collection explore this tension as they relate the mistakes they've made and what they've learned. This is a good way to learn from others' mistakes as well as to become more comfortable with making your own. A good companion book for LEAN IN.
I realize this type of book will not be for everyone, but for anyone who is currently stuck, in a rut professionally or personally, this might be the exact thing you need to progress. This book motivated me in a wide variety of ways to not settle and to continue pushing myself. I think it is inspiring to read about mistakes strong, powerful women have made and their reaction to those mistakes. I highly recommend it.
A 101 book for women early on in their careers. I agree with the criticism of the similarities in authors' privileged backgrounds (much less of a privileged perspective than say, Sheryl Sandberg's, however). Yet, I was pleased to see the contribution of a nonprofit professional and an activist. Definitely some nuggets of wisdom and some generic, trite pieces.
I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book.
This is a collection of essays written by high-achieving women, for women. Each writer gives advice on what they learned from mistakes they have made through their careers. The reading is easy and the advice is insightful and especially useful for young women. But anyone, men included, would benefit from reading some of these accounts. This would be a great gift for a recent college graduate.
This is a collection of essays written by high-achieving women, for women. Each writer gives advice on what they learned from mistakes they have made through their careers. The reading is easy and the advice is insightful and especially useful for young women. But anyone, men included, would benefit from reading some of these accounts. This would be a great gift for a recent college graduate.
I got both the Kindle Edition and the Audible -- the Audible was annoying to listen to -- I think because a single reader read it when it was the experiences of multiple women. I appreciate books about women's issues, but wish I had looked up some of the women before I bought it -- it is mostly about writers. It has some language I find objectionable.
An interesting read that focuses on women who have learned from mistakes in their careers. Some of the women's stories were more helpful and insightful than others. While I appreciated what the book was trying to accomplish, I can't help but recognize the fact that the "data pool" (for lack of a better term) was incredibly small—basically every woman interviewed has some ties to Smith College. I also found that most women were or are involved in writing or non-profit work. This book might have h
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Jessica Bacal directs the Wurtele Center for Work & Life at Smith College, an independent women’s college in Massachusetts with students from every state and from 60 countries around the world. The center’s programs teach leadership skills, life skills, stress reduction and reflection, asking students to think about questions like: What is your story? Where have you been and where are you goin
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“I would encourage every young woman to find at least one beautifully mucky place in which you’re not the expert—and then to wade in.”
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“What really made me leave, though, was not a lack of promotions or tenure—they ultimately tried to give me both. It was the lack of accountability in the research we were doing. I was supposed to be satisfied with just writing papers on how robots could help kids with disabilities achieve basic, everyday tasks, and I thought, “My God, there’s a market there. There’s a need for this technology. How can I do research on these kids and look the parents in the eye when they ask, ‘So how can I get a robot like the one we’ve been testing to make my kid’s physical therapy fun?’ How can I tell them, ‘There isn’t one’?”
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