Lean In

Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
Sheryl Sandberg
20130311

Internalizing the Revolution

Sheryl Sandberg writes this book for any woman who wants to increase her chances of making it to the top of her field or pursue any goal vigorously. This includes women at all stages of their lives and careers, from those who are just starting out to those who are taking a break and may want to jump back in. Sheryl also writes this book for any man who wants to understand what a woman – a colleague, wife, mother, or daughter – is up against so that he can do his part to build an equal world.

This book makes the case for leaning in, for being ambitious in any pursuit. And while Sheryl believes that increasing the number of women in positions of power is a necessary element of true equality, she does not believe that there is one definition of success or happiness. Not all women want careers. Not all women want children. Not all women want both. Sheryl would never advocate that we should all have the same objectives. Many people are not interested in acquiring power, not because they lack ambition, but because they are living their lives as they desire. Some of the most important contributions to our world are made by caring for one person at a time. We each have to chart our own unique course and define which goals fit our lives, values, and dreams.

Sheryl is also acutely aware that the vast majority of women are struggling to make ends meet and take care of their families. Parts of this book will be most relevant to women fortunate enough to have choices about how much and when and where to work; other parts apply to situations that women face in every workplace, within every community, and in every home. If we can succeed in adding more female voices at the highest levels, we will expand opportunities and extend fairer treatment to all.

Some, especially other women in business, have cautioned Sheryl about speaking out publicly on these issues. When Sheryl has spoken out anyway, several of her comments have upset people of both genders. Sheryl knows some believe that by focusing on what women can change themselves – pressing them to lean in – it seems like she is letting our institutions off the hook. Or even worse, they accuse her of blaming the victim. Far from blaming the victim, Sheryl believes that female leaders are key to the solution. Some critics will also point out that it is much easier for Sheryl to lean in, since her financial resources allow her to afford any help she need. Sheryl’s intention is to offer advice that would have been useful to her long before she had heard of Google or Facebook and that will resonate with women in a broad range of circumstances.

Sheryl has heard these criticisms in the past and she knows that she will hear them – and others – in the future. Sheryl’s hope is that her message will be judged on its merits. We can’t avoid this conversation. This issue transcends all of us. The time is long overdue to encourage more women to dream the possible dream and encourage more men to support women in the workforce and in the home.

We can reignite the revolution by internalizing the revolution. This shift to a more equal world will happen person by person. We move closer to the larger goal of true equality with each woman who leans in.