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reality_x's review against another edition
4.0
Overall I like this book. Some parts of it even made my nose sour, reminding me of my similar experience especially about being at lost and confused as a graduate. I have been working for 2.5 year now but I am still confused and not satisfied about my job which is really frustrating. But after reading the book I feel more powerful and energetic to accept more challenges and the unexpected in the future. But on the other hand, there’re some parts in the book are kind of lengthy and seem to talk about the same thing over and over again? I don’t if just I’m out of patience sometimes. But generally, it’s very inspirational, informative and motivative:)
lbarsk's review
3.0
The "For Graduates" part of the book was actually the most interesting and helpful? I think Sandberg says some good things in her part of the book, like discussing how to talk to bosses and finding mentoring opportunities, but otherwise it kind of addresses a narrow experience. It seems that this book is mostly geared for women in the world of business/consulting/big law firms? And is also very focused on motherhood. So I might find it more useful several years down the road?
lalaoblivion's review
5.0
This is one of the few books where I wish it had been longer. I would have loved even more collaborative essays from other women who have leaned in to help illustrate examples of the struggles Sandberg explains. Loved it. I will continue recommending it to women and men.
princesspersephone's review
5.0
Not only a great How-to book on navigating workplace obstacles like overt and subtle sexism, but also a great in depth discussion of what really happens as a powerful female. Sandberg uses examples from her personal life, as well as some of her colleagues and friends, that shed light on what women face every single day walking into the office. She also provides in depth examination on what built the expectations women face, and how they are still perpetuated today.
I've experienced similar grey area situations that make you uncomfortable and have no formal well known plan of action for standing up for yourself. Sandberg handles these situations with strength and demand for respect, but also an open and authentic approach that nods to her "femininity" as is expected by her male colleagues. While I have taken a more brazen "this is what i deserve" approach in the past, she explains why leaving the hard lining at home and taking a softer approach is better most of the time (and when demanding respect is necessary). As many of us expected the environments we walked in to to be further along in terms of equality, many of us are more angered by these situations than those who have prepared for it. She goes into how institutions in place prevent this dramatic of a shift to happen swiftly, and how we can help build each other up to contribute to progressing equality for the long haul.
This book is a realistic approach (because who would need this female specific book in a perfect world) to what women can do to feel more confident at work, what to be prepared for as you climb up the ladder, discussions to have with bosses/coworkers when you are accused of being "bossy" or "unlikable", and how to appeal to- but not necessarily succumb to- society expectations of how women should behave. Definitely a book every woman should read!
I've experienced similar grey area situations that make you uncomfortable and have no formal well known plan of action for standing up for yourself. Sandberg handles these situations with strength and demand for respect, but also an open and authentic approach that nods to her "femininity" as is expected by her male colleagues. While I have taken a more brazen "this is what i deserve" approach in the past, she explains why leaving the hard lining at home and taking a softer approach is better most of the time (and when demanding respect is necessary). As many of us expected the environments we walked in to to be further along in terms of equality, many of us are more angered by these situations than those who have prepared for it. She goes into how institutions in place prevent this dramatic of a shift to happen swiftly, and how we can help build each other up to contribute to progressing equality for the long haul.
This book is a realistic approach (because who would need this female specific book in a perfect world) to what women can do to feel more confident at work, what to be prepared for as you climb up the ladder, discussions to have with bosses/coworkers when you are accused of being "bossy" or "unlikable", and how to appeal to- but not necessarily succumb to- society expectations of how women should behave. Definitely a book every woman should read!
josiezx's review
4.0
Sheryl (who I was incredibly lucky to have met during my internship at Facebook) is an extremely successful person who had solid family support growing up, luck and mentorship in college, and of course a fiery drive to succeed, with the skills and ambition to do so. This Lean In book encourages successful women to be even more successful, to push the boundaries of gender gaps in the workplace, but I think it fails to address the idea that "these problems do exist, and sometimes we need to learn to navigate them before we can trample them." It's easy for successful women to make change, but not every female graduate is the top of their class/industry.
Regardless, this book has been a personal motivation and I'm glad I read it now, as I navigate the waters of job search and offer acceptance (though to be honest I wish I read it before my last internship). Some points I found to be particularly personally inspiring:
- Sitting at the table the meetings
- How to find a mentor (or not)
- Career advancement is a jungle gym
- Don't think that women can't have both career and family
- Negotiating offers
- Ask your superiors and coworkers for feedback, and don't be afraid to give them feedback
- In meetings, pay attention to who gets cut off (often women), and ask to hear what they had to say
I've been struggling on the career front, having been not offered a returning offer from my internship, and losing the motivation to reach for higher goals in exchange for more time to have fun--but Sheryl's book gave me a little kick and a little hope and I think will help me start off my career the right way after I graduate in a few months.
Regardless, this book has been a personal motivation and I'm glad I read it now, as I navigate the waters of job search and offer acceptance (though to be honest I wish I read it before my last internship). Some points I found to be particularly personally inspiring:
- Sitting at the table the meetings
- How to find a mentor (or not)
- Career advancement is a jungle gym
- Don't think that women can't have both career and family
- Negotiating offers
- Ask your superiors and coworkers for feedback, and don't be afraid to give them feedback
- In meetings, pay attention to who gets cut off (often women), and ask to hear what they had to say
I've been struggling on the career front, having been not offered a returning offer from my internship, and losing the motivation to reach for higher goals in exchange for more time to have fun--but Sheryl's book gave me a little kick and a little hope and I think will help me start off my career the right way after I graduate in a few months.
regina_184's review
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
1.75
I usually don't write reviews but I have a lot of thoughts about this book, so I thought it warranted a review.
It is my understanding this book is written for the recent university graduate to help them navigate the professional world. However, the majority of the book discuss the challenges of motherhood and the importance of finding the right spouse to help navigate those challenging, time consuming years. Since those topics don't seem relevant to the recent graduate I find the book very peculiar as it seems the author is uncertain who the audience of the book is. In my opinion the target audience of this book is women in their late twenties who are starting to think about settling down, and is not suited for the recent graduate.
Additionally, I say women because this book is 100% directed to women, as its purpose is to give advice about navigating motherhood and balancing a career. This is completely fine, however since there is no indication of that in the book's title it surprised me a lot. I was given this book as a graduation gift, so I didn't have any understanding of the book beforehand.
Overall I did not find this book useful, as I do not want to become a mother and I found this book to be a little insulting since that option was not presented in the book. In fact at one point the author talks about how a child free woman was on a panel discussing how her free time is just as important as her peers with children, but then the woman goes on and says something like 'how am I supposed to find a husband to have kids with, if I don't have free time'. Therefore, I found this book to be a little tone deaf since lots of people do not want to have children. However if you are interested in that topic I think this would be a very good informational read.
It is my understanding this book is written for the recent university graduate to help them navigate the professional world. However, the majority of the book discuss the challenges of motherhood and the importance of finding the right spouse to help navigate those challenging, time consuming years. Since those topics don't seem relevant to the recent graduate I find the book very peculiar as it seems the author is uncertain who the audience of the book is. In my opinion the target audience of this book is women in their late twenties who are starting to think about settling down, and is not suited for the recent graduate.
Additionally, I say women because this book is 100% directed to women, as its purpose is to give advice about navigating motherhood and balancing a career. This is completely fine, however since there is no indication of that in the book's title it surprised me a lot. I was given this book as a graduation gift, so I didn't have any understanding of the book beforehand.
Overall I did not find this book useful, as I do not want to become a mother and I found this book to be a little insulting since that option was not presented in the book. In fact at one point the author talks about how a child free woman was on a panel discussing how her free time is just as important as her peers with children, but then the woman goes on and says something like 'how am I supposed to find a husband to have kids with, if I don't have free time'. Therefore, I found this book to be a little tone deaf since lots of people do not want to have children. However if you are interested in that topic I think this would be a very good informational read.
hallbrooke's review
3.0
I read this at a pivotal time in my life. Having just broken up with my boyfriend (very unequal partnership!) and quit my first job since graduation to move home, I really needed this.
Key advice for people in all stages of their careers, I'm sure I'll be reading this again!
Key advice for people in all stages of their careers, I'm sure I'll be reading this again!
classicbhaer's review
3.0
I enjoyed the fact that this book is speaking for women's rights and showing how it is still engrained into society. I hated the fact that she is advocating for changing out behavior to fit the stereotype to get ahead. Such as when negotiating your salary speak for all women so you don't seem selfish because women are viewed better when they care for others. This is aggravating, I had such high hopes.