LEAN IN.....MORE!

Last week I posted on a book I was reading, Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg and today I want to tell you more about it. First things first, if you are working woman or looking to join the workforce I suggest you get this book. If you are looking to get to the top of your field, get this book. If you are a mother or a soon to be mother, get this book. If you are a red blooded woman..... you know the rest – GET THE BOOK! Oh, and if you’re a male, I highly suggest you read this too. You can learn a lot more than you think.

Women are the world’s most underused resource.

--Hillary Rodham Clinton

I have to admit, after reading the last page I felt sad. I wanted more. I wanted more of that feeling I got every time I connected with her words. I loved this book so much I plan on reading through it again. It’s funny, one of the chapters inspired me so much that during my Business Marketing class I leaned in (took her advice) and felt like the strong woman I’ve sometimes hesitated to be. I’ve become inspired by her words, by her stories and by her experiences. She writes honestly and with humor, it’s a book I promise for those in life who have goals and aspirations will find it hard to put down. (Hate to admit but ....I was that woman walking down 5th Avenue with my face planted in this book – I don’t suggest you read and walk its a skill not many can successfully do)

The book is not about feminism. It’s not a self-help book. This book is not a memoir nor is it about career management. It is a book for women who want to increase their chances of making it to the top of their career or pursue a goal vigorously.

“Lean In” in a nutshell: We need more women in power. It's the only thing that will stop the constant questions about whether women can and should be professionally equal to men. We're all socialized from birth for women to be sweet and nurturing and men to be tough and aggressive, and for women to be valued for the care they give while men are valued for their external accomplishments. It's not fair to either men or women. We need to openly acknowledge and discuss the pervasiveness and effects of these gender roles so we can move past them.

Chapter Breakdown 

Introduction: Internalizing the Revolution. "A truly equal world would be one where women ran half our countries and companies and men ran half our homes." This book talks about how to get there. 

Chapter 1: The Leadership Ambition Gap. We need more women in power. But women are taught that being "bossy" is bad and that they must choose between a successful career and family life.

Chapter 2: Sit at the Table. Take risks and act confident.

Chapter 3: Success and Likeability. Women are caught in a double bind: we need to be liked to be successful, but we're liked for being nice and nurturing, qualities that you don't look for in a CEO.

Chapter 4: It's a Jungle Gym, Not a Ladder. Do what you want, not what you think is the next step up.

Chapter 5: Are You My Mentor? Don't rely too much on a mentor, but if you're looking for one, provide value and respect their time.

Chapter 6: Seek and Speak Your Truth. Be your authentic self at work.

Chapter 7: Don't Leave Before You Leave. Don't pass up opportunities in anticipation of having a family. 

Chapter 8: Make Your Partner a Real Partner. Have a real 50-50 split with your partner, even if it means giving up some control. Men are just as good as being caregivers as women.

Chapter 9: The Myth of Doing It All. Do what you can do, and don't feel guilty about it.

Chapter 10: Let's Start Talking About It. We are ALL biased. Let's be open about it.

Chapter 11: Working Together Toward Equality. Call to action! Men AND women need to take steps toward change. 

(via MagicCookies)

Lean in is a book that has a powerful message to women, it includes the authors personal vulnerability and first-hand anecdotes, packed with statistics and footnoted studies that back her points. She writes about her divorce in her 20s and how she felt it signified a personal failing, about how, as a girl, she felt ashamed when people called her “bossy,” and how she was racked with self-doubt while a college student. via Forbes

Thank you Mrs. Sandberg for a truly inspirational book. I hope for you all this book encourages you to believe in yourself, give it your all, “lean in” and “don’t leave before you leave” — which is to say, don’t doubt your ability to combine work and family and thus edge yourself out of assignments before you even have start a family (should that be your plan). Lean in and make your life happen. 

I would like to hear if you have read this book or if you are going to pick this book up. I'd love to hold a group discussion here in NYC for any of you interested in reading the book kinda like a mini book club session. If you are interested please email me at marlenafits@gmail.com.

xo
Meems