PDF Summary:Gravitas, by Lisa Sun

For women in today's world, confidence remains a complex, multi-faceted issue. In Gravitas, Lisa Sun redefines confidence beyond the conventional mindset of dominance and authority often associated with men. She proposes a new model of "superpowers" — naturally occurring strengths and talents present within each individual.

This guide encourages readers to identify their unique strengths across areas such as leadership, empathy, and creative vision. It also provides tactics for navigating societal pressures that can undermine confidence while fostering bravery, bonds, and self-belief. Sun aims to empower women to align their lives with their innate abilities, embrace opportunities for growth, and build supportive communities.

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• The data might not consider the negotiation styles and how cultural or individual differences impact the negotiation process beyond gender.
• Some women may apply for jobs even if they don't meet all the qualifications, reflecting a diversity of behaviors and attitudes among women in the job market.
• The relationship between underestimation and self-value might not be causal; it could be that other variables, such as lack of support or mentorship, contribute to both underestimation and self-doubt.
• The concept of maximizing potential is subjective and can vary greatly among individuals; not all women may prioritize career advancement in the same way, and their definitions of success can differ.
• The idea could be seen as placing the onus on women to change their perceptions, rather than addressing the structural and societal changes needed to support women's recognition and self-assessment.

The Dilemma of Chasing Success Without Finding Fulfillment

The author explores how we devote our lives to chasing happiness, often pursuing outward symbols of achievement in the form of promotions, money, accolades, relationships, status, and more "stuff", which doesn't necessarily improve our genuine sense of self-worth and enjoyment of life. Sun shares that she herself has been caught in this "satisfaction" trap and describes the emotional roller coaster she went through while pursuing partnership at McKinsey. The author draws on research about what she calls the "happy when" paradox: achieving a goal doesn't necessarily translate into a more fulfilling or satisfying life because the expectation is that another goal must be reached to achieve contentment, and hence we fail to appreciate the process.

Context

• Platforms often showcase curated versions of success, leading individuals to compare their lives with others and equate visible achievements with happiness.
• Mindfulness practices emphasize being present and fully engaged in the current moment. Focusing too much on future achievements can detract from appreciating the present, leading to a lack of fulfillment.
• Finding purpose in one's work and life contributes significantly to fulfillment, beyond just achieving success.
• This term refers to the cycle where individuals continuously seek external achievements, believing these will lead to happiness, but often find themselves unfulfilled despite reaching their goals.
• This model posits that sustainable happiness is achieved through intentional activities and practices, rather than the attainment of specific goals.
• Philosophers like Aristotle have long discussed the idea of eudaimonia, or flourishing, which emphasizes living in accordance with one's values and virtues rather than constantly seeking external achievements.

The Wonder Woman Mask: Hiding Struggles to Fulfill Every Role

According to Sun, the expectation that women should be perfect spouses/partners, friends, parents, relatives, and coworkers all at once can be especially damaging as they struggle to fulfill all these roles. Sun shares that although the Women's Rights movement opened doors into the workplace, the 1980's notion that women can "do everything" has in many ways added unnecessary pressure, expectations, and guilt as women contend with balancing different roles without being acknowledged or supported in the process. The author encourages women to embrace the freedom to choose and step back from this façade.

Context

• Economic necessity often requires women to work outside the home, yet they may still be expected to manage household responsibilities, leading to a "second shift" of unpaid labor.
• The pressure to "do everything" can be more pronounced for women of color, who may face additional challenges related to racial and cultural expectations.
• The movement also contributed to changing societal attitudes, encouraging the view that women could pursue careers and professional ambitions alongside or instead of traditional roles at home.
• The pressure to fulfill multiple roles without adequate support can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, as women may feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities.
• Building and relying on support systems, such as family, friends, and professional networks, can help alleviate the burden of trying to fulfill every role perfectly.

Spiraling Setbacks: Criticisms Fueling Insecurity

Those with a deficit mindset are prone to seeing criticisms or failures as a reflection of personal flaw rather than as an opportunity for growth. Sun describes this phenomenon as a "setback spiral" in which negative experiences are replayed repetitively, compounded by shame and embarrassment, and result in limiting future possibilities. The author cites an example from a friend's media company, where an employee survey found most employees gave the organization a poor "courage" rating. After digging into this low rating, it was concluded that a contributing factor was that people didn't have the tools or support to navigate setbacks and were afraid to take risks as a result of a blame-driven culture.

Practical Tips

• Develop a "growth milestone" chart to visualize progress in areas where you've previously faced criticism or failure. Set small, achievable goals related to the feedback and track your advancements. This turns the focus from the negative experience to the positive steps you're taking to improve. If you were told your presentation skills need work, set milestones for practicing public speaking and mark each completed step on the chart.
• You can disrupt the setback spiral by creating a "positive interruption" routine. When you catch yourself ruminating on a negative experience, immediately engage in a predetermined activity that requires focus and brings joy, such as solving a puzzle, drawing, or playing a musical instrument. This shifts your attention and can help break the cycle of negative thoughts.
• Develop a "Negative Experience Reappraisal" routine where once a week, you take a negative experience and write down three ways it could potentially open up new possibilities. This could involve reframing a job rejection as a chance to pursue a dream career path or seeing a failed relationship as an opportunity to understand your needs better.
• Encourage open dialogue by starting meetings with a "courage check-in" where team members can share something they've tackled despite feeling apprehensive. This normalizes the act of facing fears and can inspire others to act courageously in their roles.
• Start a peer support network at work where colleagues can share advice and experiences on overcoming professional obstacles. This could be as simple as setting up a group chat or a regular lunch meeting where you discuss recent challenges and brainstorm solutions together. The shared knowledge and moral support can be invaluable when facing setbacks.
• Engage in improvisational theater or join an improv class to become more comfortable with uncertainty and spontaneous decision-making. Improv requires you to take risks without fear of judgment, as the environment is supportive and mistakes are often celebrated as a part of the learning process. This can translate into being more open to taking risks in real-life situations, as you'll have practiced responding positively to unexpected outcomes in a safe and controlled setting.

Structural Prejudice: Barriers and Norms That Disadvantage Women

Sun reminds us that the world we live in and the institutions that govern it weren't designed with women's success in mind, and "the system was created neither by nor for us." As an example, the author highlights how the stereotype of women's leadership has often been framed around patriarchal ideas about confidence, leading to the use of damaging terminology such as "bossy" or "intimidating" to describe assertive, commanding women, a standard to which male counterparts are not held.

Context

• Many legal systems historically restricted women's rights, such as property ownership and voting, which affected their ability to participate equally in shaping institutions.
• Media and cultural narratives often reinforce these stereotypes by portraying male leaders as the norm and female leaders as exceptions, which can influence public perception and expectations.
• The use of terms like "bossy" or "intimidating" to describe women has roots in historical gender roles where women were expected to be passive and nurturing, rather than assertive or authoritative.

Develop Your Super Strengths to Counteract Confidence-Undermining Forces

Sun encourages women to consciously choose to foster self-confidence, which begins with adopting a growth mindset that believes we can develop our skills and abilities over time.

Leverage Your Strengths to Build Authentic Self-Belief

Sun recommends that once women recognize their superpowers, they should have faith in them and take action. Sun shares that to "own" our superpower portfolio begins with seeing the positive connection between past accomplishments and strengths, which fuels self-belief and courage to achieve future goals. The author encourages women to reflect on and celebrate "peak" moments, moments in which they felt most capable and confident, to help pinpoint how they employed their individual superpowers: what specific skills led to those positive results, what qualities were at play to power that success, and which superpowers created a "flow" state of peak performance. Sun uses this same exercise with workshop participants, encouraging them to revisit an accomplishment with the lens of their superpowers in mind to reinforce the belief.

Context

• Women often face societal pressures and stereotypes that can obscure their recognition of personal strengths. Understanding these influences can help in overcoming barriers to self-belief.
• Recognizing past accomplishments can activate the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine, which enhances motivation and reinforces positive behavior.
• The flow state is a psychological concept where a person is fully engaged in an activity, often leading to high productivity and satisfaction. It is characterized by complete absorption and a loss of the sense of time.
• Cultural background can influence how individuals perceive and value their skills, affecting their confidence levels and the way they build self-belief.
• Revisiting past accomplishments involves structured reflection, where individuals analyze their experiences to identify patterns of success and the specific strengths they utilized.

Cultivate Bravery, Empathy, and Bonds as Antidotes to Adversity

Sun describes how the superpowers framework is designed to fuel a specific, growth-oriented mindset she calls the "Three C’s”: bravery, empathy, and connectedness. Sun defines "Courage" as rooted in self-belief ("internal validation"), spurred into action by recognizing and celebrating our abilities and then taking a leap. The author describes "Compassion" as countering "setback spirals," empowering an understanding and acceptance of both our own, and other's, vulnerabilities: that we can review and replay life events to learn from missteps to make us stronger going forward. Sun defines “Connection" as the ability to leverage our superpowers to recognize and value others' strengths ("viewing them in their prime”), building the type of trust that underpins strong relationships and communities. The "Three C’s" combat the forces opposing us.

Other Perspectives

• The framework's effectiveness could be limited if it does not address underlying issues such as mental health disorders, trauma, or socio-economic factors that significantly impact a person's ability to develop these qualities.
• Courage can also stem from a sense of duty or responsibility, rather than just self-belief.
• The concept of compassion could be misinterpreted as merely sympathizing with oneself or others, which might not lead to proactive change or improvement in the face of setbacks.
• Connection may not always require leveraging "superpowers" as it can also be built on shared vulnerabilities, common interests, or mutual experiences, which do not necessarily involve recognizing or valuing others' strengths.
• Overemphasis on the Three C's might lead to the neglect of other important qualities such as resilience, critical thinking, or adaptability, which are also crucial in facing and overcoming challenges.

Practicing Self-Assurance for Personal Growth

Sun urges women to actively deploy and build on their strengths by aligning their lives with their confidence language and to continue evolving beyond their natural talents by developing new superpowers to master challenging situations or to create new opportunities.

Align Your Life With Your Confidence-Boosting Strategies

Sun believes that our superpowers are not static; they can evolve as we gain experience and pursue opportunities, and we can intentionally leverage them more effectively.

Identify Areas Where Your Strengths and Passions Intersect

Sun encourages readers to consider how their current activities—personal or professional—align with the strengths in their confidence language: are there areas of high overlap, where their strong suits are being realized? If it does, is there a connection between that overlap and enjoying or succeeding in the activity? And conversely, what areas bring dissatisfaction or an unsettling sense of stagnation? Sun argues that these areas of unfulfillment or frustration may indicate that a different direction may be needed, or that we should embrace the challenge to build new strengths for the situations which we want to master.

Context

• When passions align with strengths, individuals often experience increased motivation and fulfillment, as they are doing what they love and are good at.
• This alignment is not static; it requires ongoing assessment as both personal interests and external circumstances evolve over time.
• Reflect on whether the activities align with your core values. A mismatch can lead to a lack of fulfillment and motivation, suggesting a need for realignment.
• Using dissatisfaction as a guide can enhance adaptability, encouraging individuals to be open to change and new directions that may lead to greater satisfaction.
• Challenges can increase motivation and engagement by providing clear goals and a sense of purpose, which can lead to greater satisfaction and achievement.

Seek Opportunities to Maximize and Use Your Superpowers

Sun describes how embracing and deploying one's Confidence Code can lead to fulfillment and success. She shares the example of a friend who had quit multiple jobs, feeling that she was a “quitter,” but after taking the quiz, she realized that perhaps she wasn’t quitting, but rather, was channeling her “Believing” superpower, knowing when circumstances weren’t right for her and letting go. The author found that this same friend channeled her "Giving" superpower into a career as a special education teacher, finally realizing that her emotional sensitivity and empathy were not liabilities, but rather distinctive assets.

Sun outlines an exercise called "Week of Gravitas," in which she encourages readers to track daily activities to discover the ways their superpowers manifest in everyday particulars as well as larger milestones. The author shares her personal "Week of Gravitas" grid that highlights the three dominant traits in her Confidence Lexicon.

Context

• The process of identifying one's Confidence Code typically involves introspection, feedback from others, and possibly structured exercises or quizzes designed to reveal these strengths.
• Taking a quiz encourages self-reflection, prompting individuals to think about their past experiences and how their traits have influenced their decisions and outcomes.
• In business, empathy can improve customer relations by allowing professionals to better understand and meet customer needs, leading to increased satisfaction and loyalty.
• The exercise might also serve as a tool for personal development, helping individuals make more informed decisions about their careers or personal lives by aligning their actions with their identified strengths.
• Tracking daily activities fosters self-awareness by helping individuals notice patterns in behavior and decision-making, which can illuminate how their strengths are applied in various situations.
• The use of a grid suggests a visual or organized method for tracking and analyzing activities and traits. This format can help in clearly identifying patterns and insights over the course of a week.

Advance by Developing New Superpowers Beyond Your Default Language

Sun contends that we should move beyond the talents we are born with; we can, just as we do when learning a new language, become adept at or even master new abilities based on need and desire.

Identify Challenging Situations and Consider Helpful Superpowers

Sun encourages readers to consider thirty common situations and how comfortable they are in navigating them, including situations with which women are most often challenged: asking for a raise, promotion, or favor; delivering bad news; being criticized; starting a business; or speaking publicly. The author shares results from her quantitative research which showed women were most comfortable addressing situations involving getting tasks done or providing emotional support and least comfortable in those situations involving persuasion or leveling up.

Context

• Identifying discomfort in specific situations can guide individuals to seek targeted strategies or training to enhance their skills and confidence.
• Implicit biases in the workplace can lead to women’s contributions being undervalued, making it more difficult for them to justify requests for raises or promotions.
• Women often have fewer networking opportunities, which can be crucial for starting a business or gaining confidence in public speaking.
• Women might experience socialization that rewards empathy and cooperation, making them more adept and comfortable in supportive roles.
• Women may fear negative repercussions or being labeled as aggressive when engaging in persuasion or self-promotion.

Master Superpowers to Excel in These Contexts

Sun outlines which superpowers can help navigate these challenging situations (often those which aren't already part of our Confidence Language). For example, the author describes how to draw on "Achieving" when accepting a demanding project or call on the strengths of "Performing" to engage an audience during a presentation. Similarly, we can tap into “Leading” skills to guide a team or embrace “Creating” to generate a new idea. The aim isn't to overthink or try to activate many new superpowers at once; rather, the intention is to be aware of and practice mastering them, one situation at a time, as needed. Sun also suggests ways to transfer these skills across different areas of life. For example, women can think of how they would fight for their child in handling an injustice as a way to master “Leading" in advocating for a raise or promotion.

Other Perspectives

• While focusing on "Achieving" can be beneficial for demanding projects, it may lead to an overemphasis on end goals at the expense of process and learning, which are also important for personal and professional growth.
• Overemphasis on performance can sometimes lead to style over substance, where the delivery overshadows the message.
• Tapping into "Leading" skills assumes that an individual has already developed these skills to a level where they can be effectively applied, which may not always be the case.
• Embracing "Creating" alone may not be sufficient for generating new ideas, as it often requires a combination of different skills and perspectives.
• It may not be the most efficient method for people who learn better through a holistic approach rather than a segmented one.
• Transferring skills across different areas of life might overlook the need for specialized knowledge or expertise that is unique to a particular field or situation.
• The metaphor might not resonate with individuals who do not have children or those who may have different emotional responses to family-related issues, thus limiting its applicability.

Navigate Difficulties Confidently to Achieve Goals

Sun encourages women to view mistakes and setbacks as opportunities for growth, not failure, and to embrace the power of their strengths in navigating those challenges.

Self-Reflection and Belief: Foundations for Bravery

Sun outlines how having awareness of yourself and self-confidence are essential ingredients empowering action taking to reach a goal. The author shares how even when faced with a monumental challenge like a job loss or a setback, we can tap into our superpowers for perspective—to see the positive path we can chart rather than being consumed by negativity. Drawing on her own experience during the coronavirus crisis, Sun shares how her business nearly collapsed early in 2020 as sales became negative, factories worldwide shut down, and she wasn't sure what to do. Rather than dwelling in defeat, Sun describes how her team members each deployed their unique superpowers to navigate through this uncertainty. Her designer's belief sparked hope and optimism when resources seemed scarce. Her production leader's “Knowing” skills brought organization and process to manage a reduced workload. And the “Giving” talent that everyone on the team possessed empowered them to focus on helping their community by manufacturing masks and medical garments for frontline workers.

Context

• Techniques such as mindfulness, reflective journaling, and seeking constructive feedback can enhance self-awareness and self-confidence, providing practical ways to develop these skills.
• Setbacks can serve as a catalyst for change, encouraging individuals to pursue new paths or make significant life adjustments that lead to better outcomes.
• Regularly reflecting on things you are grateful for can shift focus from negative to positive aspects of life, fostering a more optimistic perspective.
• Personal experiences of adversity can lead to significant personal and professional growth, offering lessons that can be applied to future challenges.
• Effective communication is essential for team members to understand each other's strengths and how they can complement one another, fostering a collaborative environment.
• In the context of business, belief and optimism can drive innovation and risk-taking, as they encourage individuals to pursue opportunities despite uncertainties.
• Having organized systems in place can boost team morale and confidence, as it provides a sense of control and direction amidst uncertainty.
• Helping others has been shown to release endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce stress, offering a psychological boost that can be crucial during challenging times.

Cultivate an Expansive Perspective and Develop Your Personal Confidence Vocabulary

Sun believes that "we can learn from every challenge and choose self-belief over self-doubt." She also notes that while our confidence language can serve as a foundation (the "go-to" powers that are most natural to us), acquiring proficiency and even mastery in other abilities can greatly increase our self-assurance handling a specific event or navigating a new opportunity. The author shares examples from her research showing that when women gain new experiences, including advancing to more senior roles in their jobs, the typical number of their superpowers increases. The gradual development of skills broadens possibilities.

Context

• Challenges often require us to learn new skills or improve existing ones. This process of skill acquisition not only enhances our capabilities but also boosts our confidence in handling similar situations in the future.
• Many successful figures in history have attributed their achievements to a strong sense of self-belief, which helped them overcome significant obstacles and skepticism.
• The concept of self-efficacy, or the belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations, is strengthened as individuals gain proficiency in new skills, reinforcing their overall confidence.
• Facing new experiences can help individuals confront and overcome fears or anxieties. Successfully navigating these situations can reduce apprehension and build confidence in facing future challenges.
• Achieving a senior role can serve as external validation of one's abilities, boosting self-esteem and reinforcing self-belief.
• The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life, known as neuroplasticity, supports the idea that gradual skill development can lead to increased capabilities and adaptability.

Supportive Relationships and Communities to Transform Society

Sun urges women to leverage the Confidence Language framework not just for introspection but also to enhance their understanding of and relationships with others. The author believes that as we gain more insight into others' talents, we can build the trust and connection vital for thriving relationships, families, and communities.

Use Assertive Speech to Foster Trust and Bonding

While most of us are taught to analyze the world around us (facts, figures, systems, ideas), Sun argues that we need to more deeply understand ourselves as a foundation for comprehending others. The goal is for us to make room for trust and authentic connection.

Foster Empathy and Value Others' Strengths in Relationships

Sun describes how we can use the Confidence Language vocabulary to understand the motivations behind other people's behavior. For instance, a friend who has "Performing" as their superpower might crave external validation and be more energized and engaged when they're the focal point; conversely, a colleague who spikes on "Knowing" might strive for order and process in their collaborations and be unnerved when events feel unpredictable. Once we understand those inherent abilities, we can view others more empathetically. Sun shares an example of a workshop attendee who was struggling with her aging father, but after taking the Superpower Quiz, she realized that perhaps their clashes—her wanting to make decisions for him and his desire to be in control of his life—“made sense” because her main strength was "Achieving," while his were "Believing" and "Self-Sustaining." The insight helped her better appreciate her father's point of view and to reframe their interactions in a more positive and emotionally supportive light.

Context

• Understanding motivations involves recognizing the underlying needs or desires that drive a person's actions. This can include seeking validation, striving for order, or maintaining control, which are linked to their identified superpowers.
• The idea of "superpowers" in this context refers to unique strengths or dominant traits that individuals possess, which influence their behavior, motivations, and interactions with others.
• Understanding others' inherent abilities can help counteract cognitive biases, such as the fundamental attribution error, where we might incorrectly attribute someone's actions to their character rather than their situation or strengths.
• This concept probably refers to a framework or set of terms used to articulate and understand different personality traits or strengths, aiding in better communication and empathy.
• When people feel that their strengths are recognized and appreciated, it can build trust and mutual respect, strengthening the foundation of personal and professional relationships.

Navigate Conflicts: Discover Shared and Divergent Aspects

Sun believes that understanding confidence languages—both our own and those of others—gives us the power to forge more robust relationships and deal with conflict more effectively. Common ground in shared strengths might explain why connections feel easy, but that shared strength could also lead to conflict when expressed at the wrong time or place, for example, when two people who both have “Leading" as their superpower disagree on who should be in charge.  Conversely, relationships can thrive, especially in the workplace, when people have complementary, but different strengths: "If I had a whole team of people just like me," shares Sun, "we'd have a problem. "  The author recognizes that those with “Giving” as a superpower may find relationships challenging because their kindness and generosity can lead to them becoming overloaded or feeling unappreciated; to alleviate this potential downside, “Self-Sustaining” qualities can be helpful for setting boundaries (“I’d love to help, but this is how best to ask me for a favor") to avoid burnout and build reciprocal relationships where both parties give and take.  Sun encourages readers to reflect on their strongest relationships and to ask themselves if those strong connections are based on shared strengths, complementary qualities, or perhaps a delicate balance of both.

Context

• The idea of "confidence languages" can be likened to the concept of "love languages," where individuals have unique ways of expressing and receiving confidence. Understanding these can help tailor interactions to better suit individual preferences and needs.
• When individuals with similar strengths interact, they might compete for the same roles or responsibilities, leading to power struggles or disagreements. This is particularly true in leadership scenarios where multiple people may want to take charge.
• In a workplace, having a team with diverse skills and strengths can lead to more innovative solutions and creative problem-solving, as different perspectives are brought to the table.
• Establishing clear boundaries is crucial for "Givers" to maintain their energy and protect their mental health. This involves learning to communicate their limits and ensuring that their generosity does not come at the expense of their own needs.
• Examples of "Self-Sustaining" strategies include setting aside time for self-care, learning to say no, and seeking support when needed. These strategies help maintain personal energy and prevent feelings of resentment or exhaustion.
• Reflecting on relationships helps individuals understand the dynamics at play, such as how shared strengths can create synergy or lead to competition, and how complementary qualities can fill gaps and enhance collaboration.

Foster a "Gravitas Sisterhood" to Uplift and Drive Progress

Sun believes that women become collectively stronger and better off offering mutual support rather than being in competition. The author uses the term "Gravitas Sisterhood" to describe a community where women embrace and celebrate one another's unique strengths and work together to champion change, both individually and collectively.

Address Biases, Offer Mutual Aid

Sun reflects on her own experience growing up as a person of Asian descent and how it impacted what she refers to as the "tension of fitting in while also being unique,” which has often made it harder for her to acknowledge and advocate for herself. The author acknowledges that everyone experiences varying levels of bias, both systemic and personal, and offers an example of a woman in one of her workshops who had been ignored at the workplace, overlooked for promotions despite delivering outstanding work. Sun urges women to call out this type of bias to support women who have faced an experience like this, in both small and large ways, from giving them direct feedback and advice to publicly showing solidarity with them.

Context

• People of Asian descent often face subtle forms of discrimination, such as being asked "Where are you really from?" which can contribute to feelings of otherness.
• Workshops, like the one mentioned, often aim to raise awareness about these issues, providing a platform for individuals to share experiences and learn strategies to combat bias.
• Advocacy involves actively supporting and speaking out for those who face discrimination, which can help create a more equitable environment and encourage systemic change.
• Offering advice means sharing insights or strategies that can help women navigate workplace challenges. This could include tips on negotiation, career advancement, or dealing with bias, which can be crucial for personal development and confidence building.

Model Roles to Inspire and Empower Others

Sun urges women to embrace the mantle of role modeling because so many of our beliefs and behaviors are learned from observing those around us. The author suggests that as women gain confidence and become more self-aware, they automatically inspire others, and in doing so they further amplify and perpetuate a more inclusive and expansive definition of confidence which Sun hopes will ultimately create the type of cultural changes that are needed for our collective success as a society.

Context

• The influence of role models can extend beyond immediate circles, affecting broader communities and contributing to systemic change.
• Beyond personal interactions, media and public figures also serve as powerful models for behavior and beliefs, shaping societal norms and individual aspirations.
• Confident women challenge traditional gender stereotypes that often portray women as passive or submissive. By defying these norms, they pave the way for others to do the same, fostering a more equitable environment.
• In schools, teaching a broader concept of confidence can empower students from different backgrounds to participate and lead in ways that feel natural to them, promoting inclusivity from a young age.
• Cultural shifts that promote gender equality can lead to more equitable access to education for all genders, which is crucial for societal advancement.

Allyship: Uplift All Female Voices and Perspectives

Sun believes that allyship is essential for progress, which means actively seeking out and supporting the work being done by others who are different from us, acknowledging accomplishments, and celebrating both success and growth. As an example, Sun shares how she’s experienced multiple “Batphone” situations in her own life, turning to trusted female friends or being the person others call on when navigating stressful or challenging situations, from personal setbacks to career advancements. The author emphasizes that when we support each other, "her win elevates the group's achievements," and women must pull back from the “zero-sum” thinking that celebrates another's downfall.

Context

• Allyship can strengthen communities by fostering solidarity and collective action towards common goals.
• Actively supporting diverse voices helps challenge and change stereotypes, contributing to a more inclusive and accurate representation of different groups in society.
• The term "Batphone" is a cultural reference to the direct line used by Commissioner Gordon to contact Batman in emergencies, symbolizing a reliable and immediate source of support.
• Seeing others succeed can serve as inspiration and motivation, encouraging more members of the group to strive for their own achievements and contribute positively.
• Avoiding zero-sum thinking encourages collaboration and mutual support, which can lead to more innovative solutions and shared successes, benefiting the entire group.