Have you ever identified yourself totally in the story, in the character or in a particular passage of a book? Felt them yours, as if the author was speaking to you, about you and your experience? Found in black and white emotions, sensations or thoughts that you were unable to express in words? And have you ever read a book that made you think of a person you would have liked to give it to? It’s exactly what happened to me when I read Lean In, a book that I have then given and recommended to several friends and that I hope you will enjoy too in this Lean In book review.
The author of the book, Sheryl Sandberg, was born in Miami in 1969. Graduated in economics and with an MBA from Harvard, she worked for the United States Treasury Department, for Google and, since 2008, as Facebook’s chief operating officer. Included by Forbes and Fortune in the ranking of the 100 most powerful women in the world, in 2010 Sheryl became very popular with a TED Talk on Why there are too few women leaders where, courageously, she highlighted some of the issues related to gender equality and the lack of support experienced by working women.
Given the success of the intervention, Sheryl went on to expand on the topic and in 2013 published her first book, Lean In. Women, work, and the will to lead.
With candor, sincerity and self-irony, Facebook’s COO talks about her experiences, her limits and the difficulties she encounters every day in being a manager, woman and mother at the same time. And she takes a step forward to reflect on where these challenges come from and why expectations are different for men and women when it comes to the role the play within society and within their own family or at work.
What Sheryl, with a great deal of data, wants to demonstrate is that, over the years, willingly or unwillingly, albeit unconsciously, women internalize these dictates of society on what are the appropriate behaviors and their opportunities are strongly influenced by stereotypes such as those that consider women weaker than men or less capable to perform certain tasks, to the point that even certain adjectives such as ‘ambitious’ while when referred to men sound as a compliment, when describing women’s attitudes hide a veiled criticism.
As a result of this conflict – being a good professional but at the same time a good mother – Sheryl points out that today many women are not so much focused on trying to ‘’have everything’’, as they are struggling with the fear of ‘’losing everything’’.
The good news, though, is that – she says – rules can still be changed and studies show that not only can women have both a family and a career, but they can also be successful by keeping both together.
Actually, the research cited in the book, has shown that working women employed in different roles have:
- lower stress levels
- a higher level of mental well-being
- greater financial security
- more stable marriages
- better health and, in general, a more satisfying life.
Get your copy of Lean In. Women, Work and the Will to Lead by clicking on the link below:
What readers say…
If you are a woman, or the parent of girls, you must read this. I like the way Sheryl Sandberg uses her own experience, backed by facts from creditable research. She doesn’t just moan about life, she has ideas about how to actually make things better. And unlike many people who write such books, she doesn’t pad it out with interminable guff – she sticks to the point. As a result this is a short and very readable book, that has inspired me to be more confident and proactive as a woman. I have told my friends about it too.
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Alessandra is a PhD in Sociology. For many years she has worked for large multinationals covering senior operations and people management positions. She’s a visual coaching practitioner and is studying to become a certified professional coach.
Alessandra is passionate about Diversity and Inclusion which she also lectures on. She’s married and mum of three. In Malta since 2017, Alessandra also volunteers for MYSC, Malta Young Sailors Club.
Click here to check out Alessandra’s full bio as well as a list of all her Wham published articles
