Lean In… First Take

Yesterday, I finished reading Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg.  I will present my synopsis of this book this Friday, for what I suspect is only the first time.  And, after Friday Morning, I will share my takeaways, and a few of the key points from the book, here on this blog.

But, here is a first take.  Over the last few years, I have presented synopses of a number of books dealing with “women in business” issues.  This book says little that I have not read before.  In fact, a central story in this book was recounted by Mika Brzezinski in her book Knowing Your Value, which I presented at the September, 2011 First Friday Book Synopsis.  (The story of the woman who did not raise her hand to ask her question, at the conclusion of a presentation by Sheryl Sandberg).

But, this book’s primary image – to “LEAN IN” – is brilliant.  It is just the right phrase.  Simply “lean in” says all we need to say.  Lean in to the conversations, lean in at the conference table, lean in to the conversation, everywhere, all the time…

And, the book is needed because the issue is still so very much in the air.  Maybe not “intellectually,” but in practice, absolutely.

Here is the issue:  women are excluded.  They are excluded from so many of the top positions on influence and leadership.  They are excluded from the deliberations about a plethora of decisions.  They are literally excluded from too many of the places, the tables, where the conversations occur…

You know, I have read a few of the great speeches from the social movements of the past.  Actually, many of the great speeches.  But no one speech “did it all,” not even Dr. King’s masterpiece, I Have a Dream.  It took the accumulation of speeches, books, meetings, discussions, shouting, whispering, protesting, marching…  to make the societal changes that were absolutely necessary.

Sheryl Sandberg’s book is one of the “great speeches” of the era.  She is appealing for equality for women in the workplace.  We don’t yet have such equality.  Read this book, listen to her (written) speech.  And, then, read a few more of the books reinforcing the call.  And then, make it happen.

We will need many more books, many more speeches, maybe some kind of modern day protest or two, reinforcing this call, until the change is made, and the equality is realized.

I’m glad I read her book.

——————–

If you are in the DFW area this Friday morning, 7:00 am, come join us for a great breakfast, and hear synopses of two good business books, including mine of Lean In.  Click here for details, and to register.