Brave, Not Perfect

Résumé du livre

Reshma Saujani is the founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, a non-profit organization seeking to close the gender gap in the world of tech. As of 2018, the organization has reached over 50,000 women and girls all over the United States. Saujani came into national prominence after giving a 2016 TED talk on the power of bravery, which went viral with over three million views.

Carol Dweck’s observation that women would excel in a perpetual grade school highlights how societal conditioning fosters perfectionism in girls, often at the expense of bravery. The author’s personal journey—from excelling academically and working at a prestigious law firm to leaving it all behind to pursue public service—illustrates the transformative power of courage over perfection. Despite setbacks, such as a failed congressional campaign, she learned that vulnerability and bravery outweigh the illusion of flawlessness. This theme resonates in stories like Erica’s struggle to confront a client or Sharon’s decision to embrace her identity, challenging outdated stereotypes that bravery is inherently male. Societal norms, reinforced from infancy, teach girls to prioritize approval over risk-taking, as seen in experiments where boys voiced displeasure while girls endured discomfort to avoid offending others. Yet, examples like Shalane Flanagan’s historic marathon win and the solidarity of Team Brave show how courage and sisterhood can empower women to defy expectations. By embracing self-care, setting challenges, and learning from failure, women can cultivate bravery, proving that resilience and mutual support are essential for overcoming life’s challenges.

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