Book Review: Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

One of my favorite SNL sketches is with Tina Fey as Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler as Hilary Clinton. Palin and Clinton give a “non-partisan message” about sexism and the role it is playing in the upcoming 2008 election:

                  Palin: So please, stop photoshopping my head on sexy bikini picture.

                  Clinton: And stop saying I have cankles.

This absurd dichotomy that women are either hot, dumb playthings or shrewd, cold witches is exactly what Sheryl Sandberg takes on in Lean In. In this self-help/personal story, Sandberg, the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, shares her journey to the top of her field and the struggle of being a woman in a position of power. “Why we have too few women leaders” was also the subject of her famous TED Talk, which propelled her to write this book in the first place.

Let me be clear, nothing I read in this book was ground-breaking. I was not shocked by any of the claims in this book and even found some of her arguments patronizing because they were so common sense; however, I did find the book as a whole intriguing and her stories and experiences interesting if for no other reason except they are so very different than my own.

Here are five of Sandberg’s main ideas:

1. Women hold themselves back by underestimating their own abilities. They need to be more confident in themselves and their potential.
2. Women who are successful are often perceived as "unlikable" and and that needs to change.
3. Building relationships with other people is an essential element of success.
4. Who you marry and how your partnership works matter.
5. Everyone (men and women) needs to work together to make the world a better place.

Not to be a brat, but wow, never saw those things coming.

In all fairness, some of the studies quoted by Sandberg were new to me, and you know how much I love a good study (really, though)!

Why you might like this book: Sandberg is clearly very passionate about this idea, and she seems to believe whole-heartedly in everything she says. Even though she has been accused of being out of touch with the middle-class working women, she has created Lean In, a private organization aimed at creating a community to inspire, educate, and communicate with future women leaders.

Why you might not like this book: Type in “Sheryl Sandberg” on Google, and most of the top hits are going to be negative. There are tons of critiques for this book, including this one, published last week by Georgetown professor Rosa Brooks (titled “Why I Hate Sheryl Sandberg- yikes!). I agree in some ways with Brooks; at times throughout the book, Sandberg makes me feel like a bad woman and human being for not jumping up to volunteer for power positions and for not encouraging women in the workplace as much as I probably should. Sorry, but sometimes I’m just trying to survive!!!

Similar Titles I’ve Read: 168 Hours by Lauren Vanderkam, Bossy Pants by Tina Fey (although, to be clear, Tina Fey is way funnier, and not just because she does a mean Sarah Palin impression).

I would recommend this book to: Ambitious women

Lean In is a quick read- I wouldn’t call it life changing, and despite my sassy remarks, Sheryl Sandberg is an important voice for gender equality and I’m happy to join in on the conversation.