Using Narrative to Support Leadership, Ethics, and Professional Identity Learning
Why This Book Works in Academic Settings
Glass Jars & Glass Ceilings is a contemporary novel that examines how power, silence, emotional labor, and identity shape professional and personal decision-making.
Rather than presenting theory in abstract terms, the book offers a narrative lens through which students and adult learners can explore leadership dynamics, ethical tension, organizational behavior, and the long-term consequences of unexamined systems.
In university settings, the novel functions as a discussion-based learning text that encourages reflection, critical thinking, and dialogue across disciplines without prescribing ideology or conclusions.
Intended Academic Audiences
This book is best suited for:
- Graduate programs (MBA, MPA, MS Leadership, EdD, DBA)
- Upper-level undergraduate seminars
- Honors colleges and capstone courses
- Women’s leadership and professional identity programs
- Faculty-led book discussions or learning communities
- Co-curricular programming connected to leadership, ethics, or workplace readiness
It is not intended for first-year common reads or broad mandatory assignments.
How the Book Is Used in Universities
Course or Program Adoption
Faculty incorporate the novel as a primary discussion text, a supplemental reading alongside leadership or ethics frameworks, or a narrative case study for analysis and reflection.
Faculty-Led or Facilitated Discussions
Universities may pair the book with faculty-led seminars, guest lectures, moderated discussions, or special-topic workshops focused on inquiry and interpretation rather than instruction.
Co-Curricular & Leadership Programming
The book works well in leadership development programs, women’s leadership initiatives, professional readiness series, and graduate student development programming.
Content & Audience Guidance (Academic Use)
Glass Jars & Glass Ceilings reflects adult life and professional environments as they are lived.
The novel includes themes such as marriage and divorce, dating and relationships, female friendship dynamics, workplace power imbalances, emotional strain, and ethical tension. Mild profanity appears in limited instances as part of realistic adult dialogue.
This text is intended for upper-level undergraduate and graduate learners and is most effective in guided, discussion-based academic settings where context, reflection, and critical engagement are emphasized.
Faculty are encouraged to frame the book within their course objectives and institutional guidelines.
About the Author
Dr. Shawna Norris is an executive coach, organizational leadership scholar, and founder of Designer Discipline and 2Twenty Coaching & Consulting.
Her work bridges academic research, leadership development, and lived organizational experience, bringing a scholar-practitioner lens to facilitated discussions.
Exploring Academic Use
Universities interested in course adoption, faculty or program discussions, guest lectures, or bulk book orders through campus bookstores are invited to connect for more information.
For corporate or organizational use:
Organizations and employee resource groups seeking discussion-based programming can explore our Corporate & ERG Programs page.