About the Book
“If you’ve ever twisted yourself into knots just to be taken seriously, you need to read this book." -- Mel Robbins
Tired of feeling alone in the corporate arena? Dr. Sheila Gujrathi, a powerhouse with over two decades of experience spanning medicine, biotech, and venture capital, unveils the groundbreaking principles of the Mirror Effect in her debut book. This isn’t just another business guide; it’s a lifeline for disenfranchised leaders -- women, people of color, and other historically marginalized professionals -- seeking to shatter the barriers holding them back.
Drawing on her own journey and the stories of countless others, Dr. Gujrathi offers a powerful three-part roadmap to reclaiming your power and thriving authentically. Discover how to dismantle your inner critic and step into your true potential (“Hold Up Your Own Mirror: Know Thyself ”). Learn to navigate toxic environments, understand unspoken dynamics, and find your ideal ecosystem (“Reflect on Your Surroundings: Understand Your Environment”). Finally, gain the concrete strategies to build your support network, master crucial negotiations, and command the room (“Make a Life Worth Mirroring: Set Yourself Up for Success”).
Through a blend of vulnerability, cutting-edge research, and actionable insights, The Mirror Effect will help you see yourself with clarity, build unshakable resilience, and create success on your own terms. It’s time to stop striving for a seat at the table and start building your own. Don't miss the companion title, The Mirror Effect Workbook & Journal: Growth Exercises for the Next Generation of Female Leaders.
About the Author :
SHEILA GUJRATHI, MD, is a biotech entrepreneur, executive, and champion for underrepresented leaders. Over the past 25 years, she’s had the privilege of developing life-changing medicines for patients with serious diseases while building and running private and public biotech companies -- including some exciting exits. Today she’s a founder, chairwoman, board director, strategic advisor, and consultant to start-up companies and investment funds.
Dr. Gujrathi was the co-founder and former CEO of Gossamer Bio and former Chief Medical Officer of Receptos. Her journey started at Northwestern University, where she earned both her M.D. and biomedical engineering degree in the accelerated honors medical program, and took her from the academic halls of Harvard, UCSF, and Stanford to the corporate offices of companies like McKinsey, Genentech, and Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Dr. Gujrathi has earned multiple leadership awards, including AIMBE Fellow, BLOC100 Luminary, Healthcare Technology Report Top 25 Women Leaders in Biotechnology, Corporate Directors Forum Director of the Year, and Fiercest Women in Life Sciences.
But what really lights her up? Creating the inclusive environments she wished she’d had throughout her career. That’s why she co-founded the Biotech CEO Sisterhood, a group of trailblazing female CEOs -- because we’re all better when we lift each other up.
Review :
“If you’ve ever twisted yourself into knots just to be taken seriously, you need to read this book. The Mirror Effect is bold, tactical, and long overdue. Dr. Gujrathi gives you the tools to lead without shrinking. You don’t need permission to take up space -- but if you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it.” -- Mel Robbins, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Let Them Theory and host of The Mel Robbins Podcast
“The Mirror Effect is the guide I wish I had early in my career. Sheila brings clarity, courage, and wisdom to the challenges so many of us face but can’t quite name. Her words are a call to reclaim our power and rewrite our inner narratives so that we can lead even when we feel like we don’t quite belong.” -- Deborah Liu, former CEO, Ancestry.com, and author of Take Back Your Power
“The Mirror Effect is a powerful and honest guide for anyone who has ever felt unseen or underestimated in leadership. Dr. Sheila Gujrathi writes with clarity, vulnerability, and earned wisdom that makes you feel both seen and strengthened. Her stories are real, her lessons are hard-won, and her voice is exactly what today’s leaders need. This book doesn’t just reflect your potential -- it helps you believe in it.” -- Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Thinkers50 #1 executive coach and New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers, and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
“Dr. Gujrathi’s voice is exactly what the next generation of leaders needs -- clear, compassionate, and deeply wise. The Mirror Effect is more than a book; it’s a call to evolve how we lead and how we live.” -- Marci Shimoff, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Happy for No Reason and Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul
“Stepping into one’s true potential can feel like an abstract goal until you encounter Dr. Gujrathi’s framework. This book is the practical, empathetic manual for anyone ready to stop chasing external validation and start building their own table.” -- Selena Rezvani, author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Quick Confidence: Be Authentic, Boost Connections and Make Bold Bets on Yourself
“The Mirror Effect is a powerful guide to designing a career and life with intention. Dr. Sheila Gujrathi blends personal insight with behavioral science to help marginalized leaders reclaim their agency and thrive on their own terms. Bold, actionable, and deeply needed.” -- Nir Eyal, bestselling author of Indistractable
“The Mirror Effect is a compelling and courageous call to action for women leaders who have long been expected to shrink themselves to fit in. Dr. Sheila Gujrathi offers a thoughtful framework rooted in authenticity, inclusion, and empowerment. By sharing her journey and the collective strength of the Biotech CEO Sisterhood and SABA, she provides a roadmap to help underrepresented leaders find their voice, build strong support systems, and thrive in spaces that need transformation.” -- Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw,executive chairperson, Biocon, and pioneering global biotechnology entrepreneur
“The Mirror Effect is a transformational guide for high-achieving women and marginalized leaders ready to break free from roles that no longer serve them and dismantle the inner glass ceiling shaped by fear, doubt, and systemic conditioning. Through hard-earned wisdom, vivid archetypes, and deeply personal reflection, Dr. Gujrathi helps you reclaim your power by seeing yourself, the leader you already are, more clearly and building a career on your own terms.” -- Kelli Thompson, award-winning executive coach, speaker, and author of Closing the Confidence Gap
“Dr. Gujrathi provides a rare, unfiltered perspective on the corporate world, offering suggestions that transcend gender. Her insights on building a robust support network are invaluable for anyone looking to navigate the professional landscape.” -- Jayant Sinha, president, Eversource Capital, and former Union Minister, Government of India
“In The Mirror Effect, Dr. Sheila Gujrathi will help you shed the masks you’ve worn to ‘fit in’ so you can confidently step into your unique genius. This book guides you on a path to make a life and career worth mirroring. Bravo! -- Stephen “Shed” Shedletzky, speaker, coach, and author of Speak-Up Culture
“Dr. Sheila Gujrathi is without a doubt one of the most enlightened leaders I know. Her path to success has been nothing short of remarkable. I’m excited that she is willing to share her most important lessons on how to lead from the inside out in this breakthrough book, The Mirror Effect. In the book, Sheila will coach you on how to quiet your inner critic, amplify your power, and create success on your terms. Your biggest dreams are absolutely within your reach, and Sheila will show you how to get there.” -- Tom McCarthy, high-stakes performance coach and author of The Breakthrough Code
