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)

inspirational and reassuring for ambitious women

It's reassuring for women who feel like everyone is trying to put them in a box.

My Favorite Book but Not for Everyone

This book is not meant for every woman. It is only relevant and helpful if you are a woman who values her career and is looking to advance. I admire the author and find this book extremely relevant to being a woman in an industry dominated by men.

Extraordinary!

I enjoyed this book. I found it very insightful. Sheryl provides inspiring perspective and counsel as she shares a world of opportunity very different than anything I've ever known. Perhaps I will read this again in the near future, considering the things that I wish to prioritize and lean in on.

Great book, just what every woman needs to hear!

I got this book as a suggestion from a friend and was very skeptical at first but as soon as I started reading this book it appealed to me personally I can see myself personally relating to the experiences mentioned in the book and it really helped drive me and helped me to make decisions. I plan on implementing a lot of the things I've learned into my new career and into my future careers and because of it I'm a lot more confident in myself in my abilities this; book is exactly what I needed!

Super voice

Lot to learn from women work and to lead. ...

Need more such books to listen

Great book, poor narration

If you could sum up Lean In in three words, what would they be?

Thought provoking, researched

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Elisa Donovan?

Someone with a more mature/soothing voice. Elisa's voice was slightly nasal and sounded very young. I felt that it didn't suite the material. It was more of a distraction.

An eye opener

I finished this book in two days. It really was an eye opener for me to see the struggles that women still face in the professional circles. Sheryl's story was encouraging and engaging. Her professional insights were very helpful for me personally.

It also makes me see the importance of supporting my wife not only as a professional woman but at home.

Thank you for this.

Aaron

Great book, with the wrong narrator.

I am buying this book for my adult daughters and daughter-in-law. The author understands the problems of women in the workforce and highlights them with interesting anecdotes and plenty of statistics. Best of all, she offers concrete advice.

I am not recommending the audiobook. The narrator does not have the voice of a mature, professional woman. She sounds as if she wants to turn every statement into a question, but knows she shouldn't. She reads clearly and can be funny; she just sounds too high pitched and girlish. I can imagine genres for which her reading would work (YA fiction, chick lit, zombie novels). Her voice is not right for a serious, adult book like this one.

Read the book!

Good introduction to an important topic

Good introduction to an important topic. Well narrated. Would recommend to any (wo)man in or outside the workforce.

Inspiring

This book has truly inspired me. I will read this book again and again as a reminder that I should help other women, be mindful of my own bias, and that my personal and professional success will inspire my daughter.