Now that women have poked some holes in the glass ceiling, we find ourselves negotiating a tricky hall of mirrors in corporate America, where the very things that helped us succeed can also appear to lead us towards failure. We're told we should lean in, opt out and go with the flow. We've come a long way, so here are five thoughts that may help us not lose our way.

1. Beyond the Cracked Ceiling
Into the Hall of Mirrors
Dr. Lauren Tucker
SVP, Managing Director,
Martin Decision Sciences

2. Fractured Ambition

3. We’ve poked
some holes.

4. 70% of all 2012
high school
valedictorians
were women
Source: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_21124380/women-changing-face-philanthropy

5. 53% of entry level
management jobs
claimed by women
Source: http://www.mckinsey.com/careers/women/~/media/Reports/Women/Changing_companies_minds_about_women. by McKinsey
Research.

6. 70% of Generation Y
women described
themselves as smart
versus 54% of men
Source: http://fleishmanhillard.com/2013/07/news-and-opinions/women-around- the-world-becoming-more-future-focused-with-
economic-improvement- finds-fifth-wave-of-women-power-money/

7. “Somewhere out in this
audience may even be
someone who will one day
follow in my footsteps, and
preside over the White House
as the President's spouse.
Barbara Bush, First Lady, Wellesley College Commencement
I wish him well!”

8. 50
Percentage who say they have high or
very high levels of self confidence
Source: Europe’s Institute of Leadership and Management, 2011
70

9. 31
50
Percentage of managers admitting to
feelings of self doubt about their
performance and career
Source: Europe’s Institute of Leadership and Management, 2011

10. 20
14
Percentage who would apply for a
role despite only partially meeting
its requirements
Source: Europe’s Institute of Leadership and Management, 2011

13. Save us from
ourselves!

14. 80%Woman-on-woman bullying, up from 71%
Source: Workplace Bullying Institute, 2010

15. Source: Work & Power Survey, Elle and MSNBC, 2007
Women who expressed a
preference said they would rather
work for a man than a woman
3 of 4

16. “There is a special place in
hell for women who don't
help other women."
Keynote speech at Celebrating Inspiration luncheon with the WNBA's
All-Decade Team, 2006

17. Crack the Code

18. Being overly modest.
Remaining silent.
Not asking.
Blending in.
Ungrateful.
Strident.
Demanding.
Intimidating.
To win or not to lose, is that the question?

19. Every successful business decision depends on the
answer to one Essential Question….The answer to the
Essential Question, in fact, will unlock a whole set of
answers and let you know whether you should go left or
right, or stay on course….Once you know what you are
asking for, the dialogue surrounding any undertaking will
shift from data to strategy.
The Essential Question: What is your definition of the Win?
Christopher J . Frank & Paul Magnone
Drinking from the Fire Hose: Making Smarter Decisions without Drowning in Information

20. Know your “defeatist” phrase.

22. Know your “defeatist” phrase.
Be true to your definition of success.
Be precise in articulating your ambition.
Be detailed in your strategy and action.
Support other women. I’m mean. I mean it.