Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead

by Sheryl Sandberg

different backgrounds, and yet we have both arrived at the same conclusion. Conditions for all women will improve when there are more women in leadership roles giving strong and powerful voice to their needs and concerns.

A 2011 McKinsey report noted that men are promoted based on potential, while women are promoted based on past accomplishments.

Fear is at the root of so many of the barriers that women face. Fear of not being liked. Fear of making the wrong choice. Fear of drawing negative attention. Fear of overreaching. Fear of being judged. Fear of failure. And the holy trinity of fear: the fear of being a bad mother/wife/daughter.

Writing this book is not just me encouraging others to lean in. This is me leaning in. Writing this book is what I would do if I weren’t afraid.

This phenomenon of capable people being plagued by self-doubt has a name—the impostor syndrome.

“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”

“There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”