Reset is a memoir written by Ellen Pao, an American businesswoman, and lawyer. The book is a reflection of her personal and professional life, including her time as interim CEO of Reddit. In the book, Pao shares her experiences with gender discrimination, mental health, and self-discovery. She also offers insights on how to navigate the tech industry as a woman and how to find resilience in the face of adversity.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1: The Beginning
In the first chapter, Pao introduces herself and her family. She shares how her parents immigrated to the United States from China and how they worked hard to provide for their children. Pao also talks about her early education and how she was encouraged to pursue a career in science or engineering. However, she was always drawn to the humanities and eventually decided to study law.
Chapter 2: Law School and Early Career
In this chapter, Pao discusses her time in law school and how she struggled to fit in with her peers. She also talks about her first job at a law firm and how she was passed over for promotions despite working long hours and being a top performer. Pao eventually left the law firm and started her own business, which was successful but also very stressful.
Chapter 3: The Tech Industry
Pao talks about her decision to leave her own business and join the tech industry. She was drawn to the industry because of its potential to change the world, but she also knew that it was dominated by men. Pao shares several experiences where she was treated unfairly because of her gender, including being passed over for a promotion and being harassed by a male colleague.
Chapter 4: Reddit
Pao became interim CEO of Reddit in 2014, and this chapter focuses on her time there. She faced criticism and harassment from users on the site, but she also made changes to improve the company’s culture. Pao also discusses the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry and how she had to learn to be more assertive in order to be taken seriously.
Chapter 5: The Lawsuit
Pao sued her former employer, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, for gender discrimination. In this chapter, she talks about the emotional toll that the lawsuit took on her and how it affected her relationships with friends and family. Pao also discusses the importance of speaking out against discrimination and how it can lead to positive change.
Chapter 6: Self-Discovery
In the final chapter, Pao reflects on her experiences and how they have shaped her. She talks about the importance of mental health and self-care and how she has learned to prioritize those things in her life. Pao also shares her hopes for the future and how she wants to use her platform to help others.
Conclusion
Reset is a powerful memoir that offers insights into the tech industry and the challenges that women face in male-dominated fields. Pao’s honesty and vulnerability make the book relatable and inspiring. Whether you are interested in the tech industry or simply looking for a personal story of resilience, Reset is a must-read.
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Buy the book “Reset” on Amazon
