Business Book Review: Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

When a book’s title becomes part of popular rhetoric in business, you know that no matter what your gender or opinions, it’s worth exploring.

My Rating: ★★★★

Length:  240 pages
Publisher: Knopf
Released: 2013

Key Takeaways for Personal Branding

In 2012, Sheryl Sandberg’s TedTalk took the world by storm. Her book, Lean In, was a chance to elaborate on her message for working women and their will to lead.

Why did her message resonate with millions? Perhaps knowing her potential audience, Sandberg’s book shares country-specific research which helps explain why. Here are just some relating to Australia, a country which Sandberg regularly references:

• The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2012 found Australia ranked first for women’s educational attainment, but 45th for labour force participation.

• Australia has one of the most highly educated female populations in the world, with 55% of university graduates being female. Yet, the numbers show barriers to workforce participation.

• At the time of writing, Australian women held about 9% of executive officer positions and board seats. 12 of the ASX 500 were led by female CEOs.

• Australian women earn about 86 cents for every dollar made by men.

• Australia’s maternal employment rate drops to 49% for mothers with children under three. It recovered to 73% for mothers with children aged six to fourteen.

I’m not an expert on the gender pay gap conversation. But, I imagine like many, I find Sandberg’s rise to Silicon Valley icon a story worth learning.

When it comes to personal branding, here are my top takeouts:

Facing Fear

At the core of much of Sandberg’s messaging is that despite any external barriers placed on women, much of it comes from internally:

“Fear is the root of so many of the barriers women face. Fear of making the wrong choice. Fear of drawing negative attention. Fear of over-reaching. Fear of being judged. Fear of failure. Any the holy trinity: fear of being a bad mother/wife/daughter.”

Everyone’s a Fraud

‘Fake it till you make it’ versus authenticity (nowadays sometimes too much at all costs) is an ongoing debate. But, Sandberg reminds you that sometimes faking it is just what you and your body need to keep going.

Quoting Tina Fey, she shares of imposter syndrome:

“The beauty of the imposter syndrome is you vacillate between extreme egomaniac, and a complete feeling of: ‘I’m a fraud! Oh god, they’re on to me! I’m a fraud’…Seriously I’ve just realised that almost everyone is a fraud, so I try not to feel too bad about it.”

Sandberg shares about being an aerobics instructor in the 80s. And how on the days when she was in a lousy mood, forced smiling for an hour often left her feeling better. If you’ve ever worked in a customer-facing role you might easily relate to this. It’s also an interesting proposition for those who create content for their personal brand. On down days, smiling for a podcast or video is half the battle. But, for those hesitant to get involved, perhaps it’s more therapeutic pastime than you might expect.

Stories Worth Telling

The tragic life events that followed the meteoric rise of Lean In painfully proves the importance of storytelling.

If you’re not aware, Sandberg’s husband, Dave died suddenly just a couple of years after the release of Lean In. If you read her book ‘Option B’, the dedication to Dave on the first pages of Lean In is heartbreaking.

In retrospect, Sandberg’s book demonstrates the importance of storytelling for long-term impact. Not just professionally, but personally.

Contributing to her professional world, Sandberg’s writing doesn’t take a narrow view of her experience or role. It takes an industry view. Lean In speaks to a meaningful idea. One that became part of her purpose.

Like the best business authors, Sandberg also shares her personal stories. They provide context. It allows you, the reader, to connect with other characters - like Dave. In Sandberg’s case, it’s now a beautiful homage, written not from a place of grief, but gratitude. Something some still can do when sharing stories. It brings your whole self to work. Because, as we later saw with Sandberg, life is too complex not to.

I believe we have a duty to those gone before us to pave the way for those to come. Sandberg's business book, perhaps the extent of which was unbeknownst at the time, cemented in time for her children a way to do this.

It’s been years since I last read this book. I’ll admit I was half expecting all the usual rhetoric we’ve come to see more frequently. But, Sandberg’s book is grounded in research and a humble understanding of all choices throughout:

“One of the conflicts inherent in having choice is that we all make different ones. There is always an opportunity cost, and I don’t know any woman who feels comfortable with all her decisions.”

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg:  Available on Amazon.