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)

I Wish She Wrote Ten More Like It

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

Empowering, Accessible, Candid

What other book might you compare Lean In to and why?

No other comparisons, since I don't often read non-fiction

Which character – as performed by Elisa Donovan – was your favorite?

n/a

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

One thing that stuck with me was her story about her negotiating her deal at Facebook.

Listened to it in a day

So great! It's well written with a good balance for data and anecdotes. Highly recommend!

Lean In

I really enjoyed listening to this book and so much so, I listened to it twice! Very beneficial for my career as a woman in a leadership position.

An uplift for career women and moms

short powerful words. just what i needed to keep me pushing forward as a career mom of two small kids.

Enlightening and Timelessly Relevant...

Excellent tool/ resource to foster discussion which leads us all to awareness, acknowledgement, acceptance and understanding. Then each if us putting a brave foot forward then another on life's long journey for meaningful, lasting, Human improvement and invaluable self growth. Gems await discovery.

amazing narrator

The narrator's personality reflects the writer's too. I loved it. Besides, the book includes gold wisdoms.

Gender equality, gender bias and leadership

Examples that might help women find their way and help men to be true partners.

Has changed my mindset about a lot of leadership

I loved this book. Make or female it is worth the listen. Such a good time

Loved it!

I binge listened to this book before an interview at the recommendation of a friend and I am very glad I did.

Encouraging and Informative

Would you consider the audio edition of Lean In to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version, but I think Elisa Donovan's voice was an interesting choice for the book. She has a very nonthreatening way of speaking, and perhaps that was the best choice for a feminist manifesto. Though I was curious about this choice throughout the book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I am a woman and a small business owner, and the book helped me understand what was holding me back, both externally and internally. It helped me understand that I was not alone, and that I can be a part of the fight for a 50/50 world where more women are in power and more men are at home simply by believing in myself, doing the best I can, and choosing to be around people who support me. I would recommend this book to anyone, including men, because it articulated many of the unfair expectations put on men, as well, and we would all of us benefit from a more equal world. I know the book has come up against a lot of criticism, and I wasn't sure what to expect, but I thought the honesty, vulnerability, and humour made it so relatable. Her feminism is very slightly different from my own, but I think that's fine, and I'm grateful to have read the book!