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)

Opened my eyes

Audiobook wise, the narrator sounded a tad robotic to me but this was my first audiobook so I wasn't sure what to expect.

As for the content; I have been doing a lot of reading lately about gender bias in the workplace and Sheryl has opened my eyes even more. I appreciated how well-structured and clear her thoughts were and how she backed them up with research. She gave me tons to think about and I imagine it will forever colour the way I approach my career.

Phenomenal!

An absolute encouragement to both men and women! And a beautiful insight to her amazing late husband Dave Goldberg and his contributions to her beliefs and success! This is a must read!

A timeworn message in 2019? Not for newbies...

For those of us who have been around, Sheryl Sandberg's message is a little timeworn. BUT if you are younger and just starting your career, it's definitely worth a read.

Not just for women

I have three daughters therefore I thought this book would be helpful in guiding their futures it is not just for women. Her words on marriage and how much personal relationships being in the business world are invaluable.

Inspirational!

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

Sheryl's assessment of women in the workforce is informed, level headed and a relief to see articulated.

Must read for men and women in the workplace.

I loved it - i hope this gets into the hands of women everywhere. Also a great read for supportive husbands that have hard working wives. It helps them underdstand the workplace issues and internal issues we deal with daily. Thank you for this inspiring book!

Why did I wait so long to read this?

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

From its first sentences, this book spoke to me. I found myself walking and nodding, fist-pumping as Sandberg nailed it. FINALLY, I thought, someone is speaking my language. She did a great job presenting a balanced case for feminism - one that should appeal not only to successful professional women like myself, but also full-time mothers, women balancing work and children, and even men - not only the supportive husbands and fathers of women, but also the men leading companies. She made a great case for how fostering equality for women helps everyone.

Any additional comments?

Since listening to this book, I've recommended it to every woman I talk to and have purchased it for three others - including two who are also senior leaders in my company. Some of us may have succeeded individually, but we owe it to society to help lift others with us.

Phenomenal Must Read

Advice I wish I had years ago, mixed with admissions that hit far too close to home. This book will change the way I forge ahead in my career and in my family.

Wake up call for all women in the workplace

Would you listen to Lean In again? Why?

Absolutely! Very inspirational. Some excellent, common sense advice for all career women. The narrator was also very good.

Great read for husbands and dads

Sandberg presents a book with a cornucopia of first-person examples of self-doubt, discrimination, opportunities for empowerment, and small (and great!) wins from throughout her career and education. Importantly, the book is littered with cross-disciplinary research providing insights into specific (and objective) examples of the realities of female challenges in the work place, at home, and our culture writ large. The importance of the research - and even Sandberg's recommendations - is it provides tangible, realistic, doable policy, workplace actions, and communal support towards equality for our mom's, wives, and daughters. As the father of a 1.5 year old daughter and husband to a highly successful wife the powerful nuggets in this book are the reminders to not just ask my wife what I can do to support her, but step up and take on child care, home making, career-supportive responsibility without her having to ask. The value of doing so is not just the balance and relief it can provide her, but the example to my daughter that I can set by doing things both small and big.

This book, I would argue, is more essential for us guys to absorb than it is for the women we love.