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Be UPFRONT: 24 Rules for Life Changing Confidence
368 pages, Paperback
Published March 9, 2026
About the author
Lauren Currie
1 book8 followersI’m Founder of UPFRONT; an organisation dedicated to changing confidence, visibility, and power for 10 million women. I'm the author of children's book "Taylor Meets The Trick" that teaches young children and the grown ups around them about the patriarchy. I was the chairperson of Pregnant Then Screwed, an organisation dedicated to ending maternity discrimination, for seven years.
I'm an ambassador of people, driven by an unwavering belief that things can be better. I'm committed to sharing my power and lifting others up.
I've been building businesses since I graduated from University in 2008. I was CEO and co-founder of Stride; a digital platform on a mission to democratise leadership development. I co-founded Snook, one of the UK’s leading service design agencies when I was 23. I was the Managing Director of NOBL Collective in the UK and Europe. Before that, I was Director of Design at Good Lab.
My work has been featured in The Guardian, Design Week, and Creative Review. I was awarded an OBE for my services to design and diversity. I’ve been named “woman changing the world under 30” by ELLE magazine, “one of the UK’s top businesswomen under 35” by Management Today, and "one of the UK's top 50 Creative Leaders" by Creative Review.
My motto is doing not talking.
I'm an ambassador of people, driven by an unwavering belief that things can be better. I'm committed to sharing my power and lifting others up.
I've been building businesses since I graduated from University in 2008. I was CEO and co-founder of Stride; a digital platform on a mission to democratise leadership development. I co-founded Snook, one of the UK’s leading service design agencies when I was 23. I was the Managing Director of NOBL Collective in the UK and Europe. Before that, I was Director of Design at Good Lab.
My work has been featured in The Guardian, Design Week, and Creative Review. I was awarded an OBE for my services to design and diversity. I’ve been named “woman changing the world under 30” by ELLE magazine, “one of the UK’s top businesswomen under 35” by Management Today, and "one of the UK's top 50 Creative Leaders" by Creative Review.
My motto is doing not talking.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 1, 2026
I believe Be Upfront to be an essential read for women agnostic of age , background or lifestage. At a time when women’s rights , freedom and safety is in a precarious state this book arms us with tangible tips and strategies to improve our contribution.
I had ( previous to joining Upfront ) struggled with the sentiment of ‘ improving confidence ‘ , it felt a bit airy fairy - hitting the menopause saw my confidence leach away and painful side effects. For the first time since adolescence ‘ confidence ‘ was a issue hitting my earning power AND self worth.
Lauren has written a women’s companion , a clear and steady voice to get us to thrive from survive and one that’s sensible , practical and inspirational.
I have taken lots away from the book esp ‘ selfing ‘ , the notion of abundance and a refreshing take on ( overly used ! ) term ‘ imposter syndrome ‘ .
Laurens book also arms me with an improved empathy for others , women with less privilege, voice and years under their belt than me .
Bravo Lauren!
Angie age 58
I received a pre publication digital copy of this book having attended Lauren’s Upfront programme 2022.
My review is independent and honest.
I had ( previous to joining Upfront ) struggled with the sentiment of ‘ improving confidence ‘ , it felt a bit airy fairy - hitting the menopause saw my confidence leach away and painful side effects. For the first time since adolescence ‘ confidence ‘ was a issue hitting my earning power AND self worth.
Lauren has written a women’s companion , a clear and steady voice to get us to thrive from survive and one that’s sensible , practical and inspirational.
I have taken lots away from the book esp ‘ selfing ‘ , the notion of abundance and a refreshing take on ( overly used ! ) term ‘ imposter syndrome ‘ .
Laurens book also arms me with an improved empathy for others , women with less privilege, voice and years under their belt than me .
Bravo Lauren!
Angie age 58
I received a pre publication digital copy of this book having attended Lauren’s Upfront programme 2022.
My review is independent and honest.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I found Lauren’s work at one of the most vulnerable points in my life — returning to work after having a baby.
I felt lost, stuck and stripped of the confidence I once carried.
Motherhood had changed me. In many ways it had made me more powerful and effective — yet I felt shame. I was hiding. I didn’t know how to bring that new version of myself into my career, or my life more generally.
"Be Upfront" is the book I needed then - and still need now.
It isn’t a read-it-once-and-put-it-away kind of book. It’s a book that challenges you and one I know I'll keep returning to. A practise book. The kind you reach for when you need reminding that confidence is built, not bestowed.
Lauren reframes confidence in a way that genuinely shifted something for me: it isn’t about being fearless. It’s about acting in spite of fear. “Fear means go.” That idea stayed with me because I so often lack the courage. What I’ve come to understand is that fear isn’t a stop sign; it’s an invitation to do the scary thing.
Being upfront is a way of showing up, again and again, with clarity and conviction, despite the fear and self doubt.
What moved me most is the alternative of confidence the book offers. Not one rooted in old tropes of brute strength, ego and power suits, but grounded in values, voice and integrity. It feels hopeful at a time when diversity and women's rights are under threat— a call to build a world that reflects who we are and what we stand for.
If you’ve been sitting in the waiting room — waiting to feel ready, waiting to feel confident, waiting to feel “like yourself again” — this is your nudge.
Time to step forward. Let’s go!
I felt lost, stuck and stripped of the confidence I once carried.
Motherhood had changed me. In many ways it had made me more powerful and effective — yet I felt shame. I was hiding. I didn’t know how to bring that new version of myself into my career, or my life more generally.
"Be Upfront" is the book I needed then - and still need now.
It isn’t a read-it-once-and-put-it-away kind of book. It’s a book that challenges you and one I know I'll keep returning to. A practise book. The kind you reach for when you need reminding that confidence is built, not bestowed.
Lauren reframes confidence in a way that genuinely shifted something for me: it isn’t about being fearless. It’s about acting in spite of fear. “Fear means go.” That idea stayed with me because I so often lack the courage. What I’ve come to understand is that fear isn’t a stop sign; it’s an invitation to do the scary thing.
Being upfront is a way of showing up, again and again, with clarity and conviction, despite the fear and self doubt.
What moved me most is the alternative of confidence the book offers. Not one rooted in old tropes of brute strength, ego and power suits, but grounded in values, voice and integrity. It feels hopeful at a time when diversity and women's rights are under threat— a call to build a world that reflects who we are and what we stand for.
If you’ve been sitting in the waiting room — waiting to feel ready, waiting to feel confident, waiting to feel “like yourself again” — this is your nudge.
Time to step forward. Let’s go!
March 23, 2026
I don't have imposter syndrome. The problem is that the system wasn't designed FOR me.
Lean into the cringe, it's a sign of me growing and learning.
Wow.
There are so many lightbulb moments throughout Lauren Currie's 'Be Upfront' book. Moments that you have always felt in your bones, and yet have never been able to articulate, or perhaps been willing. Because saying out loud 'I'm not the problem, the patriarchal system is' feels audacious when you're a woman. Lauren gives you permission to trust your instincts, and rather than your authenticity bringing about fear of judgement, it becomes your liberation.
I have a confession to make. Well, two confessions, actually.
Confession no. 1 is that I am a good friend of the author (though this review is 100% genuine). And what a privilege that is. I didn't always realise it but having Lauren as a friend is like having your own personal cheerleader. And reading this book, I had the realisation that everyone who does so will now have that too, because every part of this book feels like you're getting advice from your best friend who truly sees you for what you're capable of and what you deserve.
Confession no. 2 is that I was given an advanced copy of this book and yet I failed to prioritise reading it in it's entirety in the first week or so because my life was messy at the moment of receiving it. I was going through the process of my role being made redundant and was deep in the fog of emotional turmoil and hastily applying for new jobs. But having now devoured the book, I wish I'd channeled my energy there sooner, because this book is exactly what I needed. It's taught me to know my value and do the brave things that will get me to where I deserve to be.
Thank you to Lauren for bringing this book into the world. Especially at a time when misogyny seems to drip from our culture, and the world is ruled by power-hungry sociopaths who are intent on bringing about global collapse.
What we need is a humanitarian revolution, and i'm convinced women are the ones to lead it. For anyone at a loss on where to start, either in their own life or when faced with so much seemingly hopeless doom, this book might just be the spark you need to finally be upfront and be the change you want to see in the world.
Lean into the cringe, it's a sign of me growing and learning.
Wow.
There are so many lightbulb moments throughout Lauren Currie's 'Be Upfront' book. Moments that you have always felt in your bones, and yet have never been able to articulate, or perhaps been willing. Because saying out loud 'I'm not the problem, the patriarchal system is' feels audacious when you're a woman. Lauren gives you permission to trust your instincts, and rather than your authenticity bringing about fear of judgement, it becomes your liberation.
I have a confession to make. Well, two confessions, actually.
Confession no. 1 is that I am a good friend of the author (though this review is 100% genuine). And what a privilege that is. I didn't always realise it but having Lauren as a friend is like having your own personal cheerleader. And reading this book, I had the realisation that everyone who does so will now have that too, because every part of this book feels like you're getting advice from your best friend who truly sees you for what you're capable of and what you deserve.
Confession no. 2 is that I was given an advanced copy of this book and yet I failed to prioritise reading it in it's entirety in the first week or so because my life was messy at the moment of receiving it. I was going through the process of my role being made redundant and was deep in the fog of emotional turmoil and hastily applying for new jobs. But having now devoured the book, I wish I'd channeled my energy there sooner, because this book is exactly what I needed. It's taught me to know my value and do the brave things that will get me to where I deserve to be.
Thank you to Lauren for bringing this book into the world. Especially at a time when misogyny seems to drip from our culture, and the world is ruled by power-hungry sociopaths who are intent on bringing about global collapse.
What we need is a humanitarian revolution, and i'm convinced women are the ones to lead it. For anyone at a loss on where to start, either in their own life or when faced with so much seemingly hopeless doom, this book might just be the spark you need to finally be upfront and be the change you want to see in the world.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Be Upfront is the book every woman needs.
It's designed to open our eyes to what confidence means to us as women, how we experience it, or don't, and what we can do about it. Not only for ourselves, but for others, by improving our confidence while recognising and encouraging other women in their confidence. This is so very important because the biases against women, those ingrained in culture, language, society, institutions and behaviours, will not change until we all do.
Lauren points out that confidence is not a scarce resource; instead, it is unlimited. We can improve our individual confidence in small and larger ways, while encouraging the women around us to also shine. For this to happen, we need to recognise our own internalised misogyny, and call it out in others.
Be Upfront contains stories told by women who have practiced the new rules for confidence, illustrating how disguarding the old rules works, and can work, for every woman.
Be Upfront invites us to develop our awareness of how we minimise our confidence in various aspects of our lives through 'upfront moments'.
Awareness is key to making changes; without being aware of our beliefs and how these impact our behaviours, we will continue to act in ways that diminish our confidence.
After we raise our awareness, we are guided in ways to make subtle shifts, to imagine or practice a new rule. These exercises are the juicy part of Be Upfront, our opportunity to start making genuine changes.
My favourite analogy: dancing with self-doubt
My favourite new rule: all 24 of them.
It's designed to open our eyes to what confidence means to us as women, how we experience it, or don't, and what we can do about it. Not only for ourselves, but for others, by improving our confidence while recognising and encouraging other women in their confidence. This is so very important because the biases against women, those ingrained in culture, language, society, institutions and behaviours, will not change until we all do.
Lauren points out that confidence is not a scarce resource; instead, it is unlimited. We can improve our individual confidence in small and larger ways, while encouraging the women around us to also shine. For this to happen, we need to recognise our own internalised misogyny, and call it out in others.
Be Upfront contains stories told by women who have practiced the new rules for confidence, illustrating how disguarding the old rules works, and can work, for every woman.
Be Upfront invites us to develop our awareness of how we minimise our confidence in various aspects of our lives through 'upfront moments'.
Awareness is key to making changes; without being aware of our beliefs and how these impact our behaviours, we will continue to act in ways that diminish our confidence.
After we raise our awareness, we are guided in ways to make subtle shifts, to imagine or practice a new rule. These exercises are the juicy part of Be Upfront, our opportunity to start making genuine changes.
My favourite analogy: dancing with self-doubt
My favourite new rule: all 24 of them.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advanced copy of this book from the amazing author Lauren Currie and am sharing my honest review - I am half way through this book and it is amazing.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone out there needing a confidence boost and a nudge towards making changes and being bold enough to get there.
I have recommended this as a must read to various book clubs and various women running their own businesses so that they can have a good read that reaffirms how fantastic they are.
One of the things that has resonated with me so far is from Chapter 2 - 'Build Ladders, Not Walls' to really show how we can help each other and how 'There is Enough' and to 'Share our confidence' - showing how we are able to support each other - it is worth reading each chapter and then rereading as this is worthy of reminding ourselves as we take it in.
What has shifted for me with this book is how i think about my own self worth but also how much more I need to do to show my daughter, nieces, sisters, aunties and women i surround myself with the importance of sharing and being more confident and also being there for each other and showing how this can be done together.
I am continuing to read and each chapter makes me learn a little bit more confidence and reignites my fire.
Well done Lauren Currie on such a fantastic book - very much needed!
Get this book from GoodReads, but make sure you do get it.
I can't wait for my actual copy to be delivered to my home address!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone out there needing a confidence boost and a nudge towards making changes and being bold enough to get there.
I have recommended this as a must read to various book clubs and various women running their own businesses so that they can have a good read that reaffirms how fantastic they are.
One of the things that has resonated with me so far is from Chapter 2 - 'Build Ladders, Not Walls' to really show how we can help each other and how 'There is Enough' and to 'Share our confidence' - showing how we are able to support each other - it is worth reading each chapter and then rereading as this is worthy of reminding ourselves as we take it in.
What has shifted for me with this book is how i think about my own self worth but also how much more I need to do to show my daughter, nieces, sisters, aunties and women i surround myself with the importance of sharing and being more confident and also being there for each other and showing how this can be done together.
I am continuing to read and each chapter makes me learn a little bit more confidence and reignites my fire.
Well done Lauren Currie on such a fantastic book - very much needed!
Get this book from GoodReads, but make sure you do get it.
I can't wait for my actual copy to be delivered to my home address!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m 66. I’ve had a punchy worklife, racing up the ladder, innovating a platform I licensed internationally, building a business, growing a charity and bringing up kids while spinning plates. I’m at my anthesis stage of life. I’m excited to bloom again, differently. And yet, I still can’t say I’m always confident. So when does confidence arrive?
Be Upfront author and thought-leader, Lauren Currie, speaks plainly. There is no arrival. Growing confidence is a daily practice.
This book shares stories, asks questions, invites reflection. It offers hacks to grow confidence. Lauren has a practice of whooping a ‘woohoo’ every time she makes a mistake; owning it; celebrating the learning. She promotes ‘selfing’. She embraces cringing. She encourages risking.
My key takeaway? Show up. Just show up. Give life a go. Make fear your friend. Confidence will follow.
I plan more selfing (thanks for the term, Lauren). I commit to more growing. And when I hit a wobble, I’ll give a woohoo and reach for Be Upfront.
Upfront is a global movement to grow confidence in women. Get in! The water’s lovely. We’ve got each other’s backs.
(I did the Upfront Bond 6-week course in 2022 and was sent a link to an advance copy of this book to give my honest feedback.)
Be Upfront author and thought-leader, Lauren Currie, speaks plainly. There is no arrival. Growing confidence is a daily practice.
This book shares stories, asks questions, invites reflection. It offers hacks to grow confidence. Lauren has a practice of whooping a ‘woohoo’ every time she makes a mistake; owning it; celebrating the learning. She promotes ‘selfing’. She embraces cringing. She encourages risking.
My key takeaway? Show up. Just show up. Give life a go. Make fear your friend. Confidence will follow.
I plan more selfing (thanks for the term, Lauren). I commit to more growing. And when I hit a wobble, I’ll give a woohoo and reach for Be Upfront.
Upfront is a global movement to grow confidence in women. Get in! The water’s lovely. We’ve got each other’s backs.
(I did the Upfront Bond 6-week course in 2022 and was sent a link to an advance copy of this book to give my honest feedback.)
Review of advance copy received from Author
What if I told you that you could burn the old rules about confidence to ashes and build some new ones?
Be UPFRONT - 24 Rules for Life Changing Confidence by Lauren Currie is the spark to burn everything you know about confidence. Cindy Gallop says it better than I can:
"Lauren takes entrenched time-honoured rules and reframes them in ways that will make you completely rethink what you've always believed."
And if you've ever heard Lauren speak, her words tumble off the page just as she speaks, so it really is like having her right by your side, a tall, red, relentless cheerleader urging you to get stuck in.
A few gems:
"Confidence isn't all or nothing. It's situational, it's fluid and it's allowed to be messy."
"What we call imposter syndrome is often just being human, learning, growing, trying. And yes, being scared sometimes. But fear is often a signal, not a stop sign. It tells you you;'e stretching. You care."
"Confidence isn't a trait you're born with, it's something you build through practice, repetition, and showing up again and again."
"Cringe forward."
And...quoting Arlan Hamilton: "Be yourself so that the people looking for you can find you."
Flex your confidence muscles with Lauren as your PT...
Be UPFRONT - 24 Rules for Life Changing Confidence by Lauren Currie is the spark to burn everything you know about confidence. Cindy Gallop says it better than I can:
"Lauren takes entrenched time-honoured rules and reframes them in ways that will make you completely rethink what you've always believed."
And if you've ever heard Lauren speak, her words tumble off the page just as she speaks, so it really is like having her right by your side, a tall, red, relentless cheerleader urging you to get stuck in.
A few gems:
"Confidence isn't all or nothing. It's situational, it's fluid and it's allowed to be messy."
"What we call imposter syndrome is often just being human, learning, growing, trying. And yes, being scared sometimes. But fear is often a signal, not a stop sign. It tells you you;'e stretching. You care."
"Confidence isn't a trait you're born with, it's something you build through practice, repetition, and showing up again and again."
"Cringe forward."
And...quoting Arlan Hamilton: "Be yourself so that the people looking for you can find you."
Flex your confidence muscles with Lauren as your PT...
May 6, 2026
So much in this book resonated with me so strongly. The lessons it teaches around confidence may seem obvious but the anecdotes and examples really brought them to life in a new way and made them hit home. Some of the truths it tells are hard to hear - as a massive people pleaser the reality that being more confident will mean not everyone will like you was a tough one to grapple with! This book will make you think, make you sad, make you mad but most importantly it will empower you. The structure made it a great book to pick up and put down easily, with manageable chapter lengths for each ‘rule’ and journaling prompts and tangible actions to take at the end of each chapter. Definitely a book to read, reread and read again.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Place this book in the hands of every single woman you know!
Lauren’s approach is simple. Here’s the old rules, the ones you never knowingly agreed too, and here’s the new ones. These new rules will empower you and enable you to grow your confidence every day, like a muscle.
By reading this book you’ll realise you were never broken, or lacking in something everyone else had, you were simply living in a world that didn’t want you to succeed.
Confidence isn’t always loud, it’s different for all of us and this book allows you to see that fully.
I’m awaiting my physical copy but I received an advance copy of this book and am sharing my honest review.
Lauren’s approach is simple. Here’s the old rules, the ones you never knowingly agreed too, and here’s the new ones. These new rules will empower you and enable you to grow your confidence every day, like a muscle.
By reading this book you’ll realise you were never broken, or lacking in something everyone else had, you were simply living in a world that didn’t want you to succeed.
Confidence isn’t always loud, it’s different for all of us and this book allows you to see that fully.
I’m awaiting my physical copy but I received an advance copy of this book and am sharing my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The author of this book is on every page, you can feel her with you. There’s nothing like it out there, there’s nobody like her. Life changing is just the start. Welcome to Lauren Currie’s world, time to Be UPFRONT.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book cannot be ignored - Be Upfront by Lauren Currie: it’s RED and it has to be read! This book is every bit as bright and as impactful as its scarlet shell. You don’t just read it, you’re rallied by it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance copy.
What I love about Be Upfront is how Lauren breaks it down – these 24 rules are like having a mentor telling you to get real and get upfront! Practical tips that fit my fast-paced work life, and they're helping me communicate with more confidence. Highly recommended 😘
What I love about Be Upfront is how Lauren breaks it down – these 24 rules are like having a mentor telling you to get real and get upfront! Practical tips that fit my fast-paced work life, and they're helping me communicate with more confidence. Highly recommended 😘
Review of advance copy received from Author
I wrote her so I think she’s amazing!!
March 22, 2026
What changed my life and career? Confidence! Unlearning and relearning the rules. Be UPFRONT is a brilliant extention to the Bond programme, the community I am part of and Lauren is a true inspiration and role model in every way. This is a book that I will read many times and keep closeby. I love the reassurance, the stories and the practical tools that I can apply, it will support me on my lifelong learning journey.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews