11 Ceiling Breakers’ Key Pieces of Advice

We see it all the time: a person who – for no other reason than grit and determination – climbs the corporate ladder to become the CEO in spite of all they had working against them. 

The term "ceiling breaker" refers to individuals or groups who break through societal barriers and limitations, often in fields where they have been historically underrepresented or marginalized. The term is often used in the context of women and people of color in the workplace who have had to overcome discrimination and bias to achieve success.

Here, we rounded up the most inspiring quotes from some of the world’s most renowned ceiling breakers. Read these. Save these in your notes. Print them out and tape them to your computer. And remember: YOU. GOT. THIS.

Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo.

“There is nothing like a concrete life plan to weigh you down. Because if you always have one eye on some future goal, you stop paying attention to the job at hand, miss opportunities that might arise, and stay fixedly on one path, even when a better, newer course might have opened up,” Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo.

Oprah Winfrey, Author and TV Personality

“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness,” Oprah Winfrey

“When you break through a glass ceiling, you're going to get cut, and it's going to hurt,” Kamala Harris, Vice President of United States of America

Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States

“Personally, I've learned about perseverance: when you hear the word 'No,' and when you hear rejection, that it's not always final. And that timing is everything, and you have to stay the course and just keep working hard and know that, when your time comes, that it will be sweet and that it will be the perfect time,” Angela Robinson, director, screenwriter and producer

Angela Robinson, Director, Screenwriter and Producer

"If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair,” Shirley Chisholm, politician, educator, author, and the first African American woman elected to the United States Congress

Shirley Chisholm, Politician

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, and how you can still come out of it,” Maya Angelou, poet

“The glass ceiling doesn't apply when you're building your own house,” Heidi Roizen, tech entrepreneur

“Ignore the glass ceiling and do your work. If you're focusing on the glass ceiling, focusing on what you don't have, focusing on the limitations, then you will be limited. My way was to work, make my short... make my documentary... make my small films... use my own money... raise money myself... and stay shooting and focused on each project,” Ava DuVernay, director

Debbi Fields, Founder of Mrs. Fields

“I know that there is, in theory, a glass ceiling. But I don't believe that it's a solid wall. I'm going through it. Nothing's stopping me. Yes, there are these preconceived notions; yes, we have challenges. Let's accept them, let's not be afraid of them, let's break through them,” Debbi Fields, founder of Mrs. Fields

“Write your own part. It is the only way I’ve gotten anywhere. It’s much harder work, but sometimes you have to take destiny into your own hands,” Mindy Kaling, writer, producer, actress