If you’re a woman in leadership or aspiring to take on a bigger role in your professional life, Tara Mohr’s Playing Big is the book you didn’t know you needed. I’ve recommended this book to countless women, both in coaching sessions and in personal conversations, because it strikes at the heart of a common struggle: the desire to contribute more but feeling stuck in a smaller version of yourself.
Mohr’s book does something few others do. It takes on the challenge of what it truly means to “play big,” but from a uniquely feminine perspective. Many leadership and self-development books focus on productivity, goal-setting, or confidence. While these are important elements, Playing Big invites women to look deeper into the fears, patterns, and societal expectations that keep them playing small. More importantly, it provides a roadmap for stepping out of that smallness, not by adopting traditional corporate strategies, but by embracing the inner voice that tells you that you’re meant for more.
Who Should Read Playing Big?
This book is perfect for women at any stage of their career who feel like they’ve outgrown their current position or potential but are unsure of how to move forward. If you’ve been wrestling with self-doubt, second-guessing your capabilities, or feeling like an imposter, this book will feel like it was written just for you. It’s also valuable for women who’ve already achieved significant success but feel there’s a misalignment between their external accomplishments and their internal sense of purpose and contribution.
Mohr doesn’t just address women in traditional corporate settings, either. She speaks to creative professionals, entrepreneurs, and stay-at-home mothers who are looking to step into new leadership roles in their communities, industries, or personal lives. The scope of her advice is broad, but it lands in a very personal way. Whether you’re trying to make a bigger impact at work, start a passion project, or simply want to live a more fulfilled and courageous life, this book will resonate with you.
The Wisdom in Tara Mohr’s Approach
One of the most remarkable things about Playing Big is that it doesn’t follow the typical advice you’d expect in the self-help or leadership genre. Mohr, a trained coach and expert in women’s leadership, guides readers through a process that is deeply internal and reflective. While there are plenty of actionable steps in the book, they’re not the focus. Instead, Mohr centers the conversation around mindset shifts and personal growth.
For instance, rather than telling women to “fake it till you make it” or just “be more confident,” she acknowledges that those common tropes don’t work for everyone. Instead, she helps readers explore the roots of their fear and hesitation. She gives them tools to navigate those feelings without forcing them into an unnatural version of themselves. This approach feels both refreshing and profoundly effective.
The book is divided into chapters that cover various mental and emotional barriers that hold women back, from the “inner critic” to the “good girl” mentality. Mohr doesn’t just point out these blocks; she gives practical exercises for how to identify and move past them. In this way, she empowers women to not just think differently but to be different—more in alignment with their true potential.
Key Concepts in Playing Big
Here’s a glimpse into some of the key themes Mohr explores:
1. The Inner Critic
Mohr argues that the “inner critic,” the voice inside our heads that tells us we’re not good enough, is one of the main reasons we hold ourselves back. She doesn’t suggest silencing this voice (a near-impossible task for most of us), but instead teaches how to acknowledge it without letting it control our actions. This compassionate approach helps women manage their self-doubt without feeling overwhelmed by it.
2. Listening to Your Inner Mentor
One of the most powerful concepts in the book is the idea of the “inner mentor.” Mohr encourages readers to envision a future version of themselves—someone wiser, more grounded, and more aligned with their true purpose—and use that vision as a guide. This practice shifts the focus from external validation to internal wisdom. By cultivating this relationship with your future self, you begin to make decisions that are more in line with who you want to become, not who others expect you to be.
3. Unhooking from Praise and Criticism
Many women are conditioned to seek approval from others, whether it’s in the form of praise at work or positive feedback in their personal lives. Mohr challenges this need for external validation and teaches women how to unhook from both praise and criticism. She shows that when you’re less dependent on others’ opinions, you can take bolder, more authentic actions.
4. Leaping
Instead of gradual progress toward playing big, Mohr introduces the concept of the “leap”—a bold, often unconventional action that immediately propels you into playing bigger. This leap might look like launching a new project, leaving a job that doesn’t serve you, or saying yes to an opportunity that scares you. Leaping bypasses overthinking and overpreparation, allowing you to step into your next level with urgency and purpose.
What Makes Playing Big Different?
One of the reasons Playing Big stands out in the crowded field of leadership books is Mohr’s ability to blend the practical with the spiritual. She offers plenty of concrete exercises and tools, but she also taps into the more soulful aspects of personal growth. This balance is particularly important for women who often feel caught between their professional ambitions and their desire for a more meaningful life.
Mohr isn’t afraid to challenge traditional definitions of success, either. Rather than telling women to chase more money, power, or prestige, she asks them to consider what “playing big” really means for them personally. For some, it might be climbing the corporate ladder, but for others, it might be starting a nonprofit, becoming more visible in their communities, or taking on a leadership role in their family. Mohr’s version of playing big is expansive, inclusive, and deeply personal.
The Impact of Playing Big
What’s most compelling about Playing Big is its lasting impact on readers. Many women report feeling not just inspired but transformed after reading the book. They walk away with a deeper understanding of their own potential and a clearer sense of what’s been holding them back. More importantly, they leave with practical tools to start playing bigger in their own lives.
Mohr’s approach has resonated with thousands of women around the world because it taps into the heart of what it means to feel stuck, yet simultaneously full of potential. It’s a book that meets you where you are but pushes you gently yet firmly toward your next step.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to break out of your current box, whatever that looks like for you, Tara Mohr’s Playing Big is an essential read. It’s a guidebook for women who know they’re capable of more but aren’t sure how to get there. It’s full of compassion, wisdom, and practical advice that you can start implementing right away.
In a world that often encourages women to shrink or fit into predefined roles, Playing Big is a call to step into your true power. Whether that means taking a career leap, starting a passion project, or simply living with more courage and authenticity, Mohr’s message is clear: it’s time to stop playing small and start playing big.
