How a Color Became a Movement

• Pink wasn't part of my wardrobe until The Mirror Effect—now it's become the unexpected symbol of our movement

• The spontaneous pink at NYSE showed me what it feels like when people mirror your vision without being asked

• My book The Mirror Effect is about operating in technicolor—embracing all the vibrant aspects of who we are

• Sometimes the biggest transformations happen when we step outside our comfort zones, and into a world more vibrant than what we thought possible

Mirror Mantra

I have a confession: 

Until this past year, I didn't own a single piece of bright pink clothing. Not one.

For over three decades in biotech and medicine, my wardrobe was a study in conservative professionalism—black, gray, the occasional brown when I was feeling adventurous. I dressed for boardrooms designed by and for people who didn't look like me, thinking that blending in  (at least sartorially) would help me belong.

Then came the cover design process for my book. When my team presented the pink concept for The Mirror Effect, I hesitated. All the old programming kicked in. Pink felt risky, too bold, maybe too... feminine? But something deeper stirred—maybe it was time to stop playing it safe and lean into something that just felt right.

Fast forward to September 16th, arriving at the NYSE for my first book launch event, I looked around and beamed. Without any coordination or request from me, people were wearing pink. My Biotech CEO Sisterhood sisters, colleagues, supporters—a sea of pink surrounding me in one of the most traditional financial institutions in the world.

Thank goodness I had packed my pink suit.

In that moment, watching everyone literally glow in pink—regardless of skin tone, hair color, or background—I realized something profound was happening. This wasn't just about a book launch. People were mirroring back the vision I'd been afraid to fully embrace: that we don't have to dim our unique light to be taken seriously.

The irony wasn't lost on me. Here I was, someone who grew up immersed in the vibrant culture of India—where color is celebration, where every festival explodes in technicolor—yet I'd spent my entire professional life in monochrome. I'd unconsciously decided that to succeed in the conservative worlds of medicine and biotech, I needed to leave that part of myself at home.

But The Mirror Effect isn't just about finding our professional power; it's about bringing our whole, authentic selves to the table. It's about operating in technicolor, not black and white. Read more about my choosing my book cover—and embracing color—here

We're building something special here: a community that operates in full color, where every shade and hue is celebrated. Whether you're naturally drawn to pink or prefer deep blues, vibrant greens, or bold oranges, there's space for all of us in this technicolor movement.

This week, I want you to identify one aspect of your authentic self that you've been keeping separate from your professional life. Maybe it's a vibrant piece of clothing you love but never wear to work. Maybe it's a cultural tradition, a hobby, or even just a way of speaking that feels "too much" for the office.

Choose one small way to bring that authenticity into your professional space this week. Wear that colorful scarf. Share a story from your heritage. Let your personality shine through in a meeting.

Notice how it feels—and notice how others respond. You might be surprised by how much people appreciate seeing the real you.

Keep shining, 

Sheila

P.S. If you're planning to join me at any upcoming book events, feel free to wear pink if it moves you—but more importantly, wear whatever makes you feel most authentically powerful. That's what The Mirror Effect is really about.

Have you seen my TEDx talk "Focus on the Mirror, Not the Glass Ceiling"? In it, I explore how finding the right mirrors—people who reflect our potential and validate our experiences—can transform our leadership journey. I'd be honored if you'd watch and share it with others who might benefit from this message.