Numerous research studies continue to demonstrate that women face greater challenges in advancing their careers in IT. From fewer promotional opportunities to being the lone female presence in the room at work, the journey for women in tech is often fraught with challenges. Moreover, female leaders are twice as likely as their male counterparts to be mistaken for someone in a more junior role.
I've been working in IT for more than 20 years. We are in 2024, and I still sometimes find myself in meetings where there are 15 men, and I'm the only woman. As a woman in IT, you need to have more courage not to wait until someone asks your opinion or introduces you. It's an extra effort we all need to make. But I’m sure these inspiring podcasts and talks of successful women in IT can help you be brave.
1. Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta
Sandberg is best recognized as the former chief operating officer of Meta Platforms. She held this position for 14 years, from 2008 to 2022, and remained in the company as a board director until January 2024. Before Meta, Sheryl was a VP of global online sales and operations at Google. Recognized as one of the 50 Fortune Magazine’s "Most Powerful Women in Business," Sheryl is not only a corporate leader but also a philanthropist, writer, and a mother of 5!
Her two books are a must-read for women aspiring to advance their careers:
- Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead
The number one international bestseller was inspired by countless stories viewers shared after watching Sheryl’s TED talk about how women hold themselves back. In Lean In, she teaches women how to negotiate and build a satisfying career. - Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy
This New York Times bestseller, co-authored with psychologist Adam Grant, shares the challenges Sheryl had to overcome after the sudden death of her husband. The book guides readers on how to communicate and aid others in times of crisis and delves into practical strategies for coping with grief and nurturing resilience.
2. Bréne Brown, avid storyteller
Bréne Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston and a visiting professor in management at the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business, and a mother of two children. She wrote six New York Times bestsellers and hosted two award-winning podcasts, Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead. Bréne also works with organizations across the world, cultivating brave leaders and fostering more courageous cultures.
Listen to Bréne:
- Dare to Lead Podcast
The podcast features insightful discussions with change catalysts, culture shifters, and influential figures. Bréne guides thought-provoking conversations, inspiring listeners to embrace leadership roles. - The power of vulnerability TED Talk
One of the top five most-viewed TED talks, garnering over 60 million views worldwide. In this compelling 20-minute presentation, Bréne explores empathy, belonging, and love. With a touch of humor, she shares insight from research, which sent her on a journey of self-discovery and understanding others.
Read Bréne’s books:
- Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts
Translated into more than 30 languages, Dare to Lead is a New York Times bestseller. This insightful book delves into the essence of leadership. By drawing from 20 years of research and offering compelling stories and examples, she seeks to challenge our view of leadership and ultimately bring positive change to today’s society. - Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
Thanks to 12 years of research, Bréne realized vulnerability is the most accurate sign of courage. Daring Greatly shows we should strive to go out of our comfort zone, embracing the challenge despite the risk of getting hurt and criticized. - Rising Strong: The Reckoning. The Rumble. The Revolution
This book teaches us an important lesson: It’s okay to fail. Failure can be a valuable experience that allows us to come back stronger. Rising Strong delves into the transformative process of overcoming setbacks through a three-step approach.
3. Amy Cuddy, proponent of “power posing”
A woman of many trades – a social psychologist, bestselling author, and speaker. She explores various themes, from managing stress to the psychology of bullying. On top of that, she is an avid roller-skater and skier.
Learn from Amy some simple techniques to approach challenges with confidence:
- TED talk Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are.
Amy’s 2012 talk has amassed over 70 million views, securing its place as the second most popular TED performance.
- Book Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges
This book has reached half a million in sales and received acclaim from notable publishers such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post. In Presence, Amy teaches us to focus on how we perceive ourselves and offers a straightforward approach toward altering our body language, behavior, and mindset.
4. Angela Duckworth, psychologist and popular science author
Co-founder of Character Lab, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving scientific insights to help the well-being of children. Angela’s academic pedigree includes a background in neurology at Harvard and a PhD in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.
Find out the secret ingredient of success with the help of Angela’s first book:
- Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
In this book, she introduces the concept of “grit” as a key determinant of success, emphasizing the importance of not only talent but passion and persistence in achieving long-term goals. Drawing from her research and experiences with educators in challenging schools, Angela presents insight from historical lessons and modern performance experiments. Readers delve into the psychology of resilience in the face of adversity.
5. Reshma Saujani, lawyer and politician
Reshma Saujani is a fighter for women’s economic empowerment, closing the gender gap in the tech sector, and an advocate to support moms impacted by the pandemic. Featured on lists such as Fortune World’s Greatest Leaders, Fortune 40 Under 40, and Forbes Most Powerful Women Changing the World, she founded Girls Who Code, a nonprofit organization that taught 300.000 girls through direct educational programs.
Listen to her thought-provoking TED talk:
- Teach girls bravery, not perfection
Reshma’s influence extends to her famous lecture, viewed 6 million times, in which she emphasizes the importance of teaching young girls to embrace taking risks and learning to program.
6. Amanda Palmer, artist
Famous for her role in the punk cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls, Amanda Palmer has earned widespread recognition as a multifaceted figure encompassing bestselling authorship, feminist advocacy, songwriting, and piano artistry. Her album "Theatre Is Evil" achieved a remarkable top 10 debut on the Billboard 200 in 2012. Interestingly, since 2015, she has been using Patreon to fund her work, with an average of 15.000 patrons supporting her each month.
Be sure to lend an ear to her unique philosophy:
- The Art of Asking TED talk
Amanda has broadened her impact through her presentation at the annual TED conference in 2013, viewed over 20 million times on YouTube. During the presentation, she delved into the concept of allowing people to support rather than obligating them. Amanda also reminisces about her days as a street performer and explores the dynamics between performer and fan.
7. Elizabeth Gilbert, bestseller author
Elizabeth is renowned for her memoir Eat, Pray, Love, recounting her journey around the world after a complicated divorce. The book quickly became an international bestseller, with 12 million copies sold worldwide. Her subsequent works, including Committed and the novel The Signature of All Things, further solidified her standing as a successful author of fiction.
But she also has a nonfiction guide that would be perfect for those who are looking for a way to develop creativity:
- Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
This book offers profound insights about tapping into one’s creativity, sparking inspiration, nurturing curiosity, and establishing effective practices to facilitate and maximize creative expression.
Conclusion
These remarkable women exemplify resilience, courage, perseverance, and determination, proving that we are often our worst critics. By sharing their stories and insights, we want to inspire women to confidently pursue their aspirations and overcome obstacles. Hopefully, these resources will steer you in the right direction and help you inspire others to do the same. Let their wisdom guide you as you navigate the dynamic landscape of IT and forge a path towards success.
