Mistakes I Made at Work

Mistakes I Made at Work presents interviews with 25 successful women who share stories of their professional missteps and what they learned from them. The women featured come from diverse fields including medicine, journalism, academia, law, and technology. Each chapter focuses on one woman's specific workplace mistake or challenge and follows her journey through the experience. The accounts detail both the immediate aftermath and the long-term impact of these professional setbacks. The interviews are organized into four thematic sections: learning to take charge, learning to speak up, learning to navigate workplace politics, and learning resilience. Each section includes guidance and reflections from the featured professionals. The book reframes workplace mistakes as opportunities for growth rather than career-ending disasters. Its collection of honest narratives demonstrates how setbacks and failures often become stepping stones to professional development and leadership.

Readers appreciate the honest, interview-style format featuring candid stories from successful women about their workplace failures and lessons learned. Many note the book helps normalize making mistakes and provides practical advice for recovering from career setbacks. Readers liked: - Diverse range of perspectives from different industries - Concrete examples rather than abstract advice - Focus on learning and growth rather than dwelling on failures - Relatable stories that make successful people seem more human Common criticisms: - Some stories feel surface-level or too brief - Too much focus on high-achieving women in elite careers - Repetitive themes across different interviews - Limited practical takeaways for entry-level workers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (180+ ratings) One reader noted: "The variety of experiences helped me see that even accomplished professionals make mistakes and survive them." Another commented: "Would have preferred fewer interviews with more depth into each person's story."

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📚 Author Jessica Bacal interviewed 25 successful women leaders across various fields, including bestselling author Cheryl Strayed and social psychologist Carol Dweck. 💡 The book originated from Bacal's own anxiety about making mistakes at work, which she discovered was a common fear among female professionals. 🎓 Bacal serves as the Director of Reflective & Integrative Practices and of the Narratives Project at Smith College, where she helps students navigate their career paths. ✨ The book is divided into four key themes: Learning to Take Charge, Learning to Ask, Learning to Say No, and Learning Resilience. 🌟 Several of the women interviewed revealed that their biggest career breakthroughs came after what they initially perceived as devastating failures.