By Dr. Shawna Norris| April 1, 2025
Thinking of starting a book club around Broken Jars & Glass Ceilings? Here’s a guide with discussion topics, thought-provoking questions, & leadership exercises to make your sessions meaningful.
Discussion Themes & Questions
- Breaking the Jars: Confronting Self-Limiting Beliefs
- What are some invisible “jars” that have shaped your career or personal life?
- Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome? How did you navigate it?
- What external expectations or internal beliefs have held you back from taking on leadership roles?
- Share a time when you “broke the jar” and redefined your own limitations.
- Breaking the Ceilings: Pushing Beyond Systemic Barriers
- What workplace or societal ceilings have you encountered in your leadership journey?
- How did you respond to being underestimated or overlooked?
- Have you ever witnessed or experienced a glass ceiling moment? What was the outcome?
- What practical steps can leaders take to create more inclusive spaces for others?
- Accountability: The Bridge Between Jars & Ceilings
- How do you define personal accountability in leadership?
- Who has held you accountable in your career, and how did that impact your growth?
- How can leaders ensure they are not only breaking barriers for themselves but also for others?
- What leadership habits help maintain growth beyond just breaking through obstacles?
Leadership Exercises for Deeper Discussion
Exercise 1: Identifying & Breaking Your Own Jars
- Write down three beliefs or limitations you’ve internalized about yourself.
- Discuss with the group: Where did these beliefs come from? Are they still serving you?
- Create an action plan for breaking at least one of these “jars” in the next six months.
Exercise 2: Mapping Your Ceiling Moments
- Reflect on a time when you encountered a professional or personal ceiling.
- Describe what happened, how you responded, and whether you challenged the limitation.
- As a group, brainstorm strategies for breaking through barriers in leadership.
Exercise 3: The Accountability Challenge
- Identify one person in your professional life who has supported or challenged your growth.
- How did their accountability shape your leadership journey?
- Discuss ways to become a mentor or sponsor for someone else.
Final Reflection Questions
- How has reading Broken Jars and Broken Ceilings changed the way you view leadership?
- What is one major shift you are committed to making after this discussion?
- What advice from the book resonated most with you, and how will you apply it moving forward?
Host a Book Club Session
- Step 1: Assign chapters and schedule meetings in advance.
- Step 2: Encourage participants to journal key takeaways.
- Step 3: Use the discussion questions and exercises to create dynamic conversations.
- Step 4: Challenge each member to take an action step before the next meeting.
Continue the Conversation
- Broken Jars and Broken Ceilings is available now—start your book club today!
- Share your book club experiences and insights—what breakthroughs did your group have?
Looking for a virtual discussion with the author? Contact me to schedule a live Q&A session!
This guide ensures every book club session is meaningful and transformative—let me know how I can support your group!