Book
Mohr T. Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead. New York: Gotham Books; 2014.
Why we cite it
Provides a framework for understanding and overcoming self-doubt and self-sabotage, particularly in women. Distinguishes between two types of fear drawn from Hebrew: “pachad” (irrational fear of imagined threats) and “yirah” (the awe-based fear felt before genuine growth). Argues that the inner critic reflects internalized societal messages rather than truth, and proposes that confidence follows action rather than preceding it — “playing big” does not require feeling confident first. Emphasizes detaching self-worth from external praise and criticism. Not empirically validated but draws on established coaching and psychological concepts.
About the author
Tara Mohr — Born ~1968. BA English Literature (Yale University). MBA (Stanford University). Co-Active Training Institute certified coach. Creator of the Playing Big leadership program for women and the Playing Big Facilitators Training. Published in the New York Times and Harvard Business Review on women’s leadership. Apple iBooks named Playing Big a best book of the year. Mohr is a leadership coach and self-help author rather than a traditional academic researcher — her framework is based on coaching experience rather than empirical research.
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