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The Confidence Code
Book

The Confidence Code

The Science and Art of Self-Assurance – What Women Should Know

Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
HarperBusiness, 2014

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Editorial Rating

7

Recommendation

Katty Kay and Claire Shipman, journalists and authors of Womenomics, interviewed successful women in a range of fields including sports, politics and business – and discovered that many, even the most successful, lack confidence. The authors investigate whether men really have more confidence than women. They find that confidence trumps competence at work. For example, women often lack the confidence to voice their opinions, even though such reticence hurts their chances for promotion. Women prove especially reluctant to negotiate for better salaries and often ask for less money than men request. After interviewing geneticists for insight, the authors report that confidence has a strong genetic component, though environment also matters. While much of their treatise is discouraging, it does offer hope. With effort, you can become more confident. Boost your confidence by speaking up and taking strategic steps; do not overthink your decisions. getAbstract recommends the authors’ insights and research to women – and men – who struggle with a lack of confidence, and to parents who want to instill confidence in their children.

Take-Aways

  • Women are making great strides in business, politics, economics, sports, and more. Studies show that more senior women at a company means more profit.
  • Yet many women, regardless of their level of success, lack confidence.
  • Women often underestimate their abilities and undermine themselves by attributing their success to luck or fate rather than to their own hard work and perseverance.

About the Authors

Katty Kay is BBC World News America’s Washington, DC, anchor and contributes to NBC’s Meet the Press. Claire Shipman covers international affairs and women’s issues for ABC News and Good Morning America. They wrote Womenomics: Work Less, Achieve More, Live Better.

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