Claire Shipman and Katty Kay argue that the key reason is confidence. Combining cutting-edge research in genetics, gender, behavior, and cognition, with examples from their own lives and those of other successful women in politics, media, and business. They go beyond admonishing women to 'lean in.' Instead, they offer the inspiration and practical advice women need to close the gap and achieve the careers they want and deserve.

Confidence is your fuel. It turns your thoughts into action; your dreams into reality. The best way to understand confidence and learn how to harness its secret powers is to see it in action for yourself. So take a look at these thirty stories of real girls. From Bali to Brazil, South Africa to Seattle, Australia to Afghanistan, these girls are pursuing their passions, struggling and stumbling, but along the way figuring out how to build their own special brand of confidence. These inspiring stories prove that no matter who you are--or how old you are--nothing is out of reach when you decide to try. Join this growing, global community of powerful girls and ask yourself: What would you like to do once you tap into your confidence? How will you write your story?--page 4 of cover.

The best way to understand confidence is to see it in action. That’s why bestselling authors Katty Kay, Claire Shipman, and JillEllyn Riley have collected 30 true stories of real girls, pursuing their passions, struggling and stumbling, but along the way figuring out how to build their own special brand of confidence.