How I Taught Millions Of Women The Most Important Skill: Girls Who Code Founder: Reshma Saujani

Jun 6, 2022 1h 19m 14 insights
Reshma Sundari, founder of Girls Who Code and author of "Pay Up," shares her journey from overcoming childhood trauma to building global movements. She discusses reframing failure, prioritizing self-care over hustle culture, and advocating for systemic changes to support women and mothers in the workplace.
Actionable Insights

1. Reframe Risk: Not Chasing Dreams

Understand that the greatest risk is often not pursuing your true dreams and happiness, but rather staying in a situation that makes you miserable due to external expectations or fear. Courage lies in following your inner calling.

2. Prioritize Proactive Self-Care

Don’t wait for rock bottom; recognize early signs of burnout and actively take breaks, time off, or naps to maintain mental and physical health. This prevents living in an unsustainable ‘up and crash’ cycle.

3. Redefine Leadership with Vulnerability

Challenge traditional leadership by showing vulnerability, empathy, and allowing yourself to express emotions like sadness or crying in front of your team. This transforms perceived weakness into authentic strength and sets a new standard.

4. Process Failure Systematically

After a failure, allow yourself to ruminate and analyze what went wrong, even seeking brutal feedback, but then consciously decide to move on and plan your next steps. This structured approach prevents prolonged despair and fosters growth.

5. Cultivate Non-Attachment to Validation

Practice not wanting external titles, awards, or recognition, and pull back when you catch yourself chasing such things. This liberates you from constant disappointment and allows focus on intrinsic purpose.

6. Align Decisions with Core Purpose

Filter all opportunities and requests through the lens of your core purpose or ‘dharma’ to ensure that every ‘yes’ serves your ultimate mission. This helps avoid distractions and maintain focus on high-impact activities.

7. Establish Tangible Personal Boundaries

Create clear boundaries in your personal life, such as designated ‘off-duty’ times or division of labor with partners, to protect your personal time and prevent being disproportionately burdened with unpaid labor.

8. Advocate for Systemic Workplace Change

Push for corporate policies that support working parents, such as childcare subsidies, mandated paid leave for men, and flexible/remote work options. This shifts the burden from individuals to the organizational structure.

9. Reject ‘Fix the Woman’ Narratives

Stop consuming content or advice that suggests women need to ‘fix’ themselves (e.g., gain more confidence, lean in harder) to succeed. Instead, recognize that systemic issues, not personal flaws, are often the root cause of inequality.

10. Parent Out Loud at Work

Be open and honest about your motherhood at work, rather than hiding it or apologizing for childcare interruptions. This helps normalize the realities of working parents and challenges the perception that motherhood hinders career.

11. Learn by Observing Power Dynamics

In powerful institutions or rooms, consciously observe how influential people navigate, operate, and communicate. This informal learning can provide valuable insights into leadership and strategy.

12. Prioritize Grit and Work Ethic

When hiring, focus on a candidate’s grit, hustle, and work ethic rather than solely on their academic credentials. This approach values practical ability and determination over institutional stamps.

13. Use Anger as Action Catalyst

When feeling angry about an injustice or problem, channel that emotion into writing or creating something that articulates the issue and proposes solutions. This transforms negative emotion into productive output.

14. Build Initial Support with Friends

When starting a new venture, form your initial board or support system with family and friends who are inherently invested in your success. This provides a protective and encouraging environment in the early stages.