Lean In

Women, Work, and the Will to Lead

By: Sheryl Sandberg

Narrated by: Elisa Donovan

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • “A landmark manifesto" (The New York Times) that's a revelatory, inspiring call to action and a blueprint for individual growth that will empower women around the world to achieve their full potential.

In her famed TED talk, Sheryl Sandberg described how women unintentionally hold themselves back in their careers. Her talk, which has been viewed more than eleven million times, encouraged women to “sit at the table,” seek challenges, take risks, and pursue their goals with gusto. Lean In continues that conversation, combining personal anecdotes, hard data, and compelling research to change the conversation from what women can’t do to what they can. Sandberg, COO of Meta (previously called Facebook) from 2008-2022, provides practical advice on negotiation techniques, mentorship, and building a satisfying career. She describes specific steps women can take to combine professional achievement with personal fulfillment, and demonstrates how men can benefit by supporting women both in the workplace and at home.

©2013 Sheryl Sandberg; 2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Lean In is an inauguration more than a last word, and an occasion for celebration ... Many, many women, young and old, elite and otherwise, will find it prescriptive, refreshing, and perhaps even revolutionary.” (Anna Holmes, The New Yorker)

“A landmark manifesto ... Fifty years after The Feminine Mystique ... Sandberg addresses 21st-century issues that never entered Betty Friedan’s wildest dreams ... Lean In will be an influential book. It will open the eyes of women who grew up thinking that feminism was ancient history, who recoil at the word but walk heedlessly through the doors it opened. And it will encourage those women to persevere in their professional lives.” (Janet Maslin, The New York Times)

“I approached it wearing two hats—one as CEO [and] the other as the parent of a nine-year-old daughter. In both capacities, I feel that Lean In is a must read.” (Mohamed El-Erian, CEO of PIMCO, in Fortune)

Excellent!

I love her analogy that your career path is better viewed as a jungle gym, not a ladder.

Thoughtful & Better than Expected

When I first considered buying this book I was turned off by a lot of the negative press and social media banter about it. Many sides of the debate seemed to think she had a problematic position, demanding too much of women or belittling her cause or talking about problems that didn't exist or insulting men in some way.

None of that is true.

There is a lot to say about the problems this book addresses and I feel she both recognizes this and provides thoughtful, relevant summaries of not only the problems but how it affects *everyone*. It's very thoughtful, clear and purposeful. A good read that encourages further discussion.

I love this book

This was insightful, and honest. Just when I thought the author was not going go there she went there. She went deep.

Inspirational

Where does Lean In rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I loved it. It was very well presented. I felt a deep connection and felt as though Sheryl was talking to me. Loved how she broke up the book and how it walked through both her successes and failures and how she overcame different obstacles as a woman, as a wife, as a mother, and as an executive.

Any additional comments?

Favorite quote - “Careers are a jungle gym, not a ladder.”

Great book, just OK performance

The reader's voice changes for small portions of many chapters which is extremely distracting. It's like certain parts were re-recorded.

A must for both men and women

Very inspiring, encouraging and thought provoking! Loved every bit of it. Women must read or listen to this book

Compelling

This book defines the views of today's genration of women and hits VERY close to home. Every woman with aspirations, every woman struggling with conflict bewtten family and career, every woman should read this. Beatifully narated

I was skeptical… But this book speaks truth.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I'm hitting 60. I'm a successful woman. I'm a multiple entrepreneur. I'm even the incoming president of my Rotary club.

So I was skeptical. I couldn't imagine what this "child" who is my daughter's age could tell me about working in a world of men.

But Sheryl Sandberg speaks truth. And the truth that she spoke resonates...so much so that I found myself on the verge of tears at times, realizing that finally someone had the courage to verbalize the crap I've had to silently endure and the games I've had to surreptitiously play.

So now I'm buying copies of the book for young female colleagues who are facing the same, same, SAME crap that I have struggled so hard and so long to overcome.

Thank you Sheryl for being a strong, clear voice of assurance in the meandering wilderness of the business world. Where well-meaning men unwittingly demean us and vindictive men intentionally assault us.

It's good to be reminded that each one of us is not alone in the daily flight to strike a balance between what we want and what the world expects of us.

Modern Feminism is not a curse word

Love how she is willing to say things that others have brushed under the rug. Thank you for being a woman in power and using it to bring light to things that still need to be known.

A must read!

Life is all about perspective and this should be a must read for everyone! I will definitely listen to this again!