annemariewellswriter's review against another edition
4.0
This book was empowering and informational in a way that was relatable (for me) and not condescending. I think for women who are not in the corporate world, there is not as much for them to gain. I wish that Sheryl Sandberg had addressed ways that lower income women can take charge and get ahead, but perhaps that's a whole nother book. I hope she writes it.
elihinze's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5
Overall, this book is a good intro to Feminism in the Workplace 101. However, I do have some problems with this book. Pros? It discusses the cultural and social aspects that hold women back; it's highly readable and relatable; it cites official studies for its facts instead of relying on emotion. I definitely appreciated and enjoyed this book.
Onto the cons. I personally felt that I already knew most of the information (as a card carrying feminist, that's not surprising since this isn't my first rodeo). Also, this book is definitely, definitely for those who come from a more privileged lot in life. I'm chronically ill, and I want so badly to be able to both tend to my family AND have a job, yet there are times when I can hardly stand or eat. Employers avoid the disabled, and society thinks the disabled shouldn't parent. This book addresses none of the needs of those outside a position of privilege; that being said, the author does acknowledge that she's privileged. It'd still be nice to actually have others' struggles talked about though, but I suppose that'd make it more niche, which is why I'm not strongly factoring this against Lean In.
If you're not ultra familiar with feminism or want to know tips on how to make your workplace more equal, by all means, read this book! It even has advice on how to negotiate a salary without coming across as a b*tch, which I liked. ;)
Overall, this book is a good intro to Feminism in the Workplace 101. However, I do have some problems with this book. Pros? It discusses the cultural and social aspects that hold women back; it's highly readable and relatable; it cites official studies for its facts instead of relying on emotion. I definitely appreciated and enjoyed this book.
Onto the cons. I personally felt that I already knew most of the information (as a card carrying feminist, that's not surprising since this isn't my first rodeo). Also, this book is definitely, definitely for those who come from a more privileged lot in life. I'm chronically ill, and I want so badly to be able to both tend to my family AND have a job, yet there are times when I can hardly stand or eat. Employers avoid the disabled, and society thinks the disabled shouldn't parent. This book addresses none of the needs of those outside a position of privilege; that being said, the author does acknowledge that she's privileged. It'd still be nice to actually have others' struggles talked about though, but I suppose that'd make it more niche, which is why I'm not strongly factoring this against Lean In.
If you're not ultra familiar with feminism or want to know tips on how to make your workplace more equal, by all means, read this book! It even has advice on how to negotiate a salary without coming across as a b*tch, which I liked. ;)
leowilko's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
A wonderfully written call for action, backed up with evidence, facts, compelling arguments and excellent examples. An excellent read. A lot of work and thought has been put into this book, and it shows!
whitmc's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it. Inspirational and motivating. It has opened the door to many productive conversations already.
ravenas's review against another edition
5.0
This book was eye-opening for me. The statistics and case studies presented taught me a lot about how to maneuver the working world by taking into consideration what factors work for and against women.
The best thing this book provided me with is conversation points that have proven productive in discussing gender in the workplace. I told my engineering department lead that he should read this book to better understand a working woman's perspective (he bought it that night) and we have been able to reference back to it in many of our conversations.
The best thing this book provided me with is conversation points that have proven productive in discussing gender in the workplace. I told my engineering department lead that he should read this book to better understand a working woman's perspective (he bought it that night) and we have been able to reference back to it in many of our conversations.
whimsydances's review against another edition
4.0
Well-written, thought-provoking, and full of statistics about gender studies, enlivened by personal anecdotes. All of it culminating into a few, take-home, salient points: one per chapter, repeated as a mantra, making them hit home, and easy to remember.
However, though I mostly really liked it, I fell short of loving it, because I found the book a bit disappointing. I wanted more. It was hard to push through so much of the book that seemed like it focused on things that completely didn't apply to me. I've never leaned back because I think I might want to have a baby someday. Why are there so many chapters about babies, family, partners, balancing them and careers? I suppose the most depressing thing to me is learning that the majority of people that this book is aimed at need to hear these things. That even when Sheryl Sandberg sets a 9-5:30 office schedule, an accomplishment that she spends an inordinate amount of time standing up for as setting boundaries for work-life balance, and as something that made waves in the news once she "came out," she still woke up at 5AM to answer emails, and stayed up after nursing to continue working (not work-life balance in my mind). I found that to have the opposite effect of inspiring me to lead.
However, though I mostly really liked it, I fell short of loving it, because I found the book a bit disappointing. I wanted more. It was hard to push through so much of the book that seemed like it focused on things that completely didn't apply to me. I've never leaned back because I think I might want to have a baby someday. Why are there so many chapters about babies, family, partners, balancing them and careers? I suppose the most depressing thing to me is learning that the majority of people that this book is aimed at need to hear these things. That even when Sheryl Sandberg sets a 9-5:30 office schedule, an accomplishment that she spends an inordinate amount of time standing up for as setting boundaries for work-life balance, and as something that made waves in the news once she "came out," she still woke up at 5AM to answer emails, and stayed up after nursing to continue working (not work-life balance in my mind). I found that to have the opposite effect of inspiring me to lead.
afox98's review against another edition
4.0
I have to admit I was skeptical going into reading this book. I'd heard people comment about it, but I wanted to read it for myself.
I was pleasantly surprised.
Sheryl Sandberg did a great job pointing out the issues facing women in the workplace today, both the issues caused by men and the issues caused by women. She talks about how both genders can help more women enter leadership and stay there. She also touched on how all women should be able to make the choice to do what they like - to work and be a leader in the workforce, to stay at home and raise kids, to work part-time, etc.
The book was very well-written, and thoroughly researched. I enjoyed the notes at the end with all the references.
Things I didn't like:
- I think she's somewhat blind to the fact that her wealth is a large contributor to her being as successful as she is. Nannies, private jets, and expensive dinners with big business names are not the norm for women in business, even the ones higher on a management chain, and most women won't be able to benefit from those perks and connections.
- The name-dropping and "Sheryl is amazing" anecdotes got a little old after a while. I do think she's very accomplished, and has obviously earned her position, but she probably could have left about half of those out and still made her point. It reminded me of Oprah. Oprah has accomplished amazing things, but when you read her magazine or interviews she has of others, she's always injecting something about how great she is, or what she did, and it's annoying.
Having said that, she is dead on with how some women intentionally lean away, thinking they're not good enough or won't be heard or don't have things to contribute. I wish more women understood that they're hurting not only themselves when they do this, but their organization is suffering because of it. We need those women's perspectives and problem solving skills.
All in all, I liked this much more than I thought I would. I had a hard time putting it down. While 95% of women can't do what she did due to her resources, we can all take pieces of what she advises and/or does and try those to help improve the situation.
I was pleasantly surprised.
Sheryl Sandberg did a great job pointing out the issues facing women in the workplace today, both the issues caused by men and the issues caused by women. She talks about how both genders can help more women enter leadership and stay there. She also touched on how all women should be able to make the choice to do what they like - to work and be a leader in the workforce, to stay at home and raise kids, to work part-time, etc.
The book was very well-written, and thoroughly researched. I enjoyed the notes at the end with all the references.
Things I didn't like:
- I think she's somewhat blind to the fact that her wealth is a large contributor to her being as successful as she is. Nannies, private jets, and expensive dinners with big business names are not the norm for women in business, even the ones higher on a management chain, and most women won't be able to benefit from those perks and connections.
- The name-dropping and "Sheryl is amazing" anecdotes got a little old after a while. I do think she's very accomplished, and has obviously earned her position, but she probably could have left about half of those out and still made her point. It reminded me of Oprah. Oprah has accomplished amazing things, but when you read her magazine or interviews she has of others, she's always injecting something about how great she is, or what she did, and it's annoying.
Having said that, she is dead on with how some women intentionally lean away, thinking they're not good enough or won't be heard or don't have things to contribute. I wish more women understood that they're hurting not only themselves when they do this, but their organization is suffering because of it. We need those women's perspectives and problem solving skills.
All in all, I liked this much more than I thought I would. I had a hard time putting it down. While 95% of women can't do what she did due to her resources, we can all take pieces of what she advises and/or does and try those to help improve the situation.
frostycat303's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
dorothy_gale's review against another edition
5.0
Not what I expected... Refreshingly direct. I will read her next book.