Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and author of 'Pay Up,' shares her transformative journey from facing childhood bullying to empowering millions of women in tech. She discusses the stark realities of balancing a demanding career with family life, emphasizing the need for systemic change for working mothers. Reshma highlights the importance of mental health in leadership and the necessity of teaching coding to girls, linking it to inclusivity and financial literacy. Her candid reflections inspire resilience and a commitment to fostering future female innovators.
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Formative Experiences
Reshma Saujani experienced racism and bullying growing up, culminating in a violent attack in eighth grade.
This trauma became a turning point, fueling her passion for fighting injustice and embracing her identity.
insights INSIGHT
Credentials vs. Character
Credentials from prestigious universities, while helpful, don't solely define a person's potential or success.
Reshma Saujani's drive to make a difference preceded her degrees from Yale and Harvard.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Leaving the Law Firm
Reshma Saujani left a high-paying law firm job to pursue her passion for public service.
Quitting her job was a pivotal moment, revealing that her fear, not her parents' expectations, held her back.
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The Bhagavad Gita is a central text in Hinduism, embedded within the epic Mahabharata. It recounts a dialogue between the warrior-prince Arjuna and his charioteer, Krishna, who is an avatar of the god Vishnu. The text explores themes of dharma (duty), karma (action), and the path to spiritual enlightenment. Krishna advises Arjuna on the importance of performing his duties without attachment to the outcomes, emphasizing the concept of nishkama karma (nonattached action). The Gita synthesizes various strands of Indian religious thought, including Vedic concepts, samkhya yoga, and bhakti (devotion), providing a coherent vision of Hindu philosophy and spiritual practice[2][4][5].
Brave, Not Perfect
Reshma Saujani
In *Brave, Not Perfect*, Reshma Saujani empowers women to let go of the need for perfection and instead cultivate bravery as a lifelong habit. The book explores how societal expectations often lead women to fear failure and avoid taking risks, and offers practical insights and strategies to help them live more authentically and boldly.
Pay Up
Anthony David
Anthony David's 'Pay Up' is his second book, following the success of his debut 'H2O'. While specific details about the plot or themes are not available, it continues his literary journey with Pegasus Publishers.
Reshma is the founder of Girls Who Code, one of the most influential non-profits in the world which has introduced millions of women to coding and the tech industry. She is also the author of Pay Up, a book about how to get women further in the workplace.
Reshma was initially a prophet of the thinking that women could have it all, if only they tried twice as hard as everyone else they could achieve anything they wanted to. Now, she’s changed her mind. Trying to run an organisation with over 500 employees while looking after a young family full-time simply proved too much. Women simply have too much stacked against them having to juggle work and family life to properly pursue their careers without special consideration. What really stands out about Reshma is the fact that having built an enterprise that was on its way to changing the world, she had the humility to change her mind about major parts of her philosophy.
Reshma’s story is one of how to realise and bounce back from your mistakes, no matter who you are or how far you’ve come. It takes a lot of courage to do that, but courage is something that Reshma has never had in short supply.
The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett 
