Throughout the book, Sandberg provides data to show that women have still not effectively broken through the glass ceiling, with comparison figures for the US, Australia, and New Zealand. She explores why this might be so and provides practical advice on what women, collectively and individually, need to do to get on the executive board. Her advice, if you want a corporate career, you need to make it a priority in your life. An important step towards this means making sure your prospective partner will accept this from the very first date – well, it worked for her.
Sandberg was advised by a number of people against writing a book on this topic and you can see why. Criticism has been strong and it has come from multiple fronts. On one hand, she has been accused of blaming women for organisational and social barriers that work against them, and on the other, her book has been slammed for being largely a product of Stanford University’s Gender Studies department (feminism still being a slur in the 21st century).
Despite these criticisms, Lean In fills an important gap. It is the mixture of personal experience connecting with the broader social trends that works well, and Sandberg’s enthusiasm for the subject shines clearly throughout. Some of the lifestyle choices she has made may not be your cup of tea, but reading this book will help you weigh up what choices might be best for you. A good read for those contemplating a career in business or wanting to work their way up the organisational ladder.
Reviewed by Spot
Catalogue Link: Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
Lean In website
Great work.
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