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 delivery

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

Don't leave before you leave! Why give up on something when it's not even time yet, and you don't know what great opportunities lie in front of you

Any additional comments?

The delivery of this audio book was great. I often thought I was listening to Sheryl herself.

Great Perspective

Sheryl does a good job discussing the women's work experience in a noncombative way pointing out how we all have gender bias

Insightful. A must read for women who work/worked!

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

With candor and insights, the book exams the deeper and often perpetuating causes of how women are perceived by men and by women themselves. It invites both genders to reflect on and self-examine our hidden assumptions that have shaped our perceptions and drive our actions.

What about Elisa Donovan’s performance did you like?

Her narration is at the right pace and pitch, which carries "a personal feel" of "I", the author herself.

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

No, I deliberately did not want to finish the book in one setting as I felt the need to stop and ponder over some of the issues the author's experience has raised.

Any additional comments?

Boyfriends and fathers, especially those in HR and supervisory positions, will also benefit greatly from reading this book.

Every young woman should read

I wish I had had this book years ago. I think every young woman going into the workplace needs to read lean in.

Great book to read during maternity leave!

Found this really empowering and made me feel more confident returning to work after my leave of absence. Well written and thought out topics. Definitely not a rant but thoughts to make things better !

Every woman should read this book

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

Touched on both the internal problem as well as external problem we women face

Any additional comments?

Well researched and documented data made her story a solid one.

A MUST READ FOR EVERY WOMAN IN THE WORLD

Every woman, mother, daughter and also men should read this book, if we want to continue to work toward equality and healthy leadership. Fantastic reading!

Very good book!

This book is so inspiring to the female worker at any level. It really makes you want to level up!

Every Woman Should Read This

Loved this Book, so thankful for Sheryl for putting this together.
I am glad I read it, I work in a male dominant industry and I can relate so much to this, is crazy!

Great book that every career minded woman should read

As a woman mom who has spent my 25+ year career in tech working with mostly males I can relate to this book. After almost 28 years I am finally being promoted to a VP at a 2800 person global organization. I will be one of only 2 women that are part of the executive leadership team and I can relate to many of the things that Sheryl points out. It has taken me years to climb the ladder in part because I am a mom to triplet girls, now 17 years old and had to make sacrifices and turn down roles or jobs that might have gotten in the way of doing both my career and being an awesome mom. And that was with having a very supportive husband who took on many household roles so I could work. My own biases around whether I was qualified or could do the job played a role in slowing down my career. But in the end I persevered and kept at it and I am ultimately happy where I am in my career. Sheryl points out that everyone has to go at their own pace and carve out your space in corporate life in a way that works for ourselves and not others. Such great advice! While she says we shouldn’t try to do it all, which I agree, I do feel like I have accomplished all the things I have set out to do although at a slower pace than my younger self would have liked and I am not done yet! I have my eye on COO (a role I am not qualified for) in the next few years and I am ready to lean into that next stage in my career! Thanks Sheryl for reminding me we all need encouragement and self belief to make our dreams come true!