Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code — Glambition® Radio Episode 199 with Ali Brown

Failure. It’s an ‘f’ word that strikes panic into even the most capable and accomplished of women… but what if we could transform our fear of failure into our greatest inspiration to play, experiment, and try things on? After a devastating loss in her run for U.S. Congress, today’s Glambition Radio guest did just that—and founded an organization that is now building the largest pipeline of future female engineers in the United States.



Reshma Saujani is the Founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, the international nonprofit organization working to close the gender gap in technology and change the image of what a computer programmer looks like and does.

On #GlambitionRadio, you’ll hear how Reshma left her career as a corporate attorney and surged onto the political scene as the first Indian American woman to run for U.S. Congress—when, during the race, she visited local schools and saw the gender gap in computing classes firsthand. With her passion for women, girls and those less fortunate fully activated, Reshma began Girls Who Code as an experiment… with absolutely zero relevant coding or technology experience.

To date, Girls Who Code has directly served 185,000 girls across the country and indirectly impacted over 100,000,000 — 50% of whom are from historically underrepresented groups. Reshma has continued her advocacy for girls and is the author of the international bestseller Brave, Not Perfect and the New York Times bestseller Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World. She is the host of the award-winning podcast Brave, Not Perfect.

On this episode, you’ll hear:

Why—as the daughter of immigrant parents—Reshma was compelled to add impressive academic and professional notches to her belt (do you relate to happiness in the same way?)
How $50 and free pizza helped fuel Reshma’s pilot business—and why it’s OK to start small
The not-so-subtle gender conditioning that has BIG impact on women’s careers—and their approach to professional experimentation
The freedom in deliberately seeking imperfection—and how micro-doses of failure will strengthen your confidence (it sounds counterintuitive but it’s true!)
Why shifting decision making from a place of fear to inspiration will have unforeseen positive effects on your business and life

Head to Apple Podcasts now to listen to this episode of Glambition Radio (or download it for later).

And come join in the conversation on Instagram or Facebook.

XO,

Ali

P.S. I would love your review! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and comment on Apple Podcasts. Select ‘Listen in Apple Podcasts,’ then choose the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ tab to share what you think. I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

Show Notes:

Curb your perfectionism at Brave, Not Perfect
Learn more about the Girls Who Code movement
Listen to the Brave, Not Perfect podcast
Watch Reshma’s TED Talk, ‘Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection’
Learn more about The Trust – my new premier network for 7+8-figure women entrepreneurs