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)

Great Book for All Genders

I resonated with the author and her ideals. I appreciated her honesty and her statistics. This is a great read and motivated me to set new goals for the next chapter in my life.

Powerful and insightful

I went into this book with trepidation. After all, I didn't want to hear a feminist tell me that either I could, or could not, "have it all." Instead what I experienced was a personal and insightful book about the limitations we as women often put on ourselves, such as the expectations we set for ourselves, our failure to speak-up, and the divisive way we often treat one another.

Sandberg shared her experiences, and those of others she talked to. When offering a generality she even provided her own counterexamples, when such a thing existed. Her writing is not judgmental, but rather enlightening. She opened my eyes to some of my own behaviors and attitudes.

I recommend this book, especially to women in leadership roles.

A Changed Woman

I loved every lesson in this book and started sharing the lessons on chapter 2 with my friends before I even finished . This gave me great insight on how to have and do it all with grace. But more importantly, I believe every man should read this. Thanks Sheryl for being open and honest which presented the most value in this book.

excellent read for men and women

powerful biography of being present and challenging norms so that we can all fully participate.

message is good, but book becomes repetitive.

the point that women need to be more assertive in their careers is accurate. however the book is about twice as long as it needs to be YouTube persistent harping that women need to be accepting of both working women and stay-at-home moms. we get it women can have kids and careers. you don't need to spend three chapters on the issue.

Feel Compelled!

What made the experience of listening to Lean In the most enjoyable?

I've never written a review before but I feel compelled to write one for this book! For all those who say that Sheryl Sandberg is too wealthy, or too intelligent, or too powerful a woman to speak for the middle and lower-class single mothers, I say BALONEY! The very reason she is able to present this message without being labeled a whiny B*%@#
is because she is so wealthy, so intelligent, and so powerful! She has no need to fight this fight, which makes her the perfect woman to take it on.

As a professional woman who is nearing fifty, a single mother for over a decade, and one of the first little girls to invade the all-boys little league in the 1970's, I can say that Sheryl's message is long overdue. Our generation has dropped the ball in our struggle for equality, and for the sake of our sons and daughters, our grandsons and granddaughters, we need to pick it back up and get back in the game! Despite the fact that my measly $60,000.00 annual salary will never afford me the luxury that Ms. Sandberg enjoys, reading Lean In made me realize that regardless of our station in life, our similarities are much, much greater than our differences.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Lean In?

The story about the head lice!

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

I have read extensively and have never felt that someone was actually speaking my very own thoughts before!

Any additional comments?

Thank you Sheryl Sandberg, for having the audacity to speak your mind!

Leaning In

I loved it and actually is very true in all aspects, sadly as a member of the armed forces I saw myself being underestimated by being a female and sometimes are the females that try to hold you back as well instead of being allied. Now as I enter in the medical field I can also perceive that if the input is commonly from a men it doesn't received the same questioning as coming from a female and even though female are taking more responsibilities and positions in everyday medical field there's still gaps that can be closed and narrowing for future generations.

I was an amazing book to listen too thanks for the empowering words.

Leaning In

What did you love best about Lean In?

I appreciate the truths about womanhood and the difficulty we have with speaking up and the hardships we have with being heard.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Lean In?

2 Concurrent goals: long term dream and 18 month plan

What about Elisa Donovan’s performance did you like?

Perfect pitch! Motivating voice!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Time waits for no one: #leaninnow

Good Information

What did you love best about Lean In?

This book is full of important information that women in the workforce need to know.

Are you talking to me, or about me?!

This book is telling the story of my life as if it's been following me around like reality TV cameras! Sandberg speaks truth to the situation that many of us face in the workplace. My only wish is that I could blast the audio here in the office in hopes that a few of my peers could hear!