Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
As I read Lean In, I was intrigued at being able to get inside the head of a dynamic, smart woman who is one generation younger than me, and see the corporate world through her eyes. One of the cultural questions she answered for me was this: why are younger women so averse to the terms "feminist" and "feminism"? Apparently, Sheryl Sanders and her contemporaries believe(d) the following:
1. Equality having arrived, there's no need for feminism anymore
2. Feminists are man-haters who resist makeup and the shaving of one's legs
Okay, #2 was a bit tongue-in-cheek. However, having observed conditions in the real world for a few years now, Sanders has come to see that the playing field is not and will not be level until more women occupy positions of power in the corporate hierarchy. She doesn't suggest that this is due to any malicious intent on the part of men, but rather it's simply a matter of ignorance.
To illustrate, she describes having to park far away from her office door when hugely and uncomfortably pregnant. When she designated preferred parking spots to accommodate pregnant workers, no one complained. It was seen as logical. But prior to her taking her place in the C-suite, the issue hadn't been raised.
Sanders talks about not slowing down out of consideration for what might happen in the nebulous future. The example she gives, now famous, is of a young woman confiding her fears of not wanting to accept a job with a lot of responsibility due to the impact it might have on her family. The woman was planning ahead - she didn't even have a boyfriend yet.
With this example, Sanders makes the point that women, having been highly trained and educated, are waving off promotional opportunities. The jury is still out as to why, but she suggests, and I agree, that part of the reason is this: in corporate America, a woman's decision to go through pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and child-rearing is viewed as a private matter that should not impact her ability to work long hours and irregular schedules, including lengthy and frequent travel as needed. Rightly fearing this may drive her insane, a woman who wants a family may leap off the corporate ladder at a very early stage.
Sanders argues that if a young woman stayed on it long enough to secure a more powerful position, she would be able to exert more control over her work life (a perspective the young woman must trust will happen, since at her current low place on the corporate ladder she can only see her lack of power and control.) After a few promotions, she will be able to delegate some of her work to subordinates, afford more help at home, and influence workplace policies that unfairly impact women and families. Who can find fault with this argument?
Sanders is honest about her own mistakes, and I found that charming. For example, I was amazed that, for all her intelligence and education, she didn't originally intend to negotiate her starting salary with Facebook. Luckily a nice man (her husband) set her straight, and she made a counter offer to Zuckerberg. Reams of guidance have been written about how this error could have impeded her in later years, both at Facebook and with future employers, yet she didn't know. For other women who have not yet made this horrifying discovery, please read Ask for It by Babcock and Laschever (http://www.amazon.com/Ask-Women-Power...) which in addition to being enlightening and entertaining, offers tons of strategies for preparing yourself to negotiate. And not just for salaries. After reading that book I saved $150 on furniture I was going to buy anyway, by asking one question.
But back to Lean In.
I was also surprised that she wasn't well informed about how women can sabotage other women in the workplace, particularly women in power. This is an unfortunate truth with roots in biology, and is brilliantly explained in the amazing book, In the Company of Women by Heim and Murphy (http://www.amazon.com/Company-Women-I...) which I reviewed here:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... This also suggests the reasons Sanders was hit with such a backlash for the well-intentioned Lean In.
There is so much more to say about Lean In, but let me close with this: I enjoyed learning how this stellar corporate executive struggled, made mistakes, and ultimately learned some strategies that will enable her, her family, and the women (and men) in her corporation to thrive. It's not perfect, and sometimes it's not even pretty, but part of the lesson is to let go of the need for perfection.
The other message, younger women, is to get as far and as fast as you can before starting your families. Don't opt out just because it looks too hard from where you're sitting now. The view improves with each rung on the ladder.
View all my reviews
“Women of a certain age? What age is that?”
Debbie
/ September 2, 2011Loved hearing about your mom playing the Grandma Card!! I can tell she’s got a great sense of humor, something that will help her as she eases into the next stage of life. She’s a wise woman to prepare now — most are in complete denial and when it hits, they’re shocked to the core.
Lynne Spreen
/ September 2, 2011You’re right, Debbie. And I’m learning from her. I think I’ll be happier in my old age because I had such a mentor. Hope all is well with you.
quillfyre
/ September 2, 2011Well…when you put it that way, Lynne! This was my morning chuckle! I agree about the seniors’ discount, which in a few months I will FULLY qualify for. Right now, if they accept “over 60″ I qualify but a lot want 65. Never actually been carded. When I go places with my friend, Lili, I get her to buy the tickets, but sometimes I just boldly say Senior, please. I love your mother’s humour too. Found myself, for the first time, seeing a more positive benefit to this aging thing. Mind, for a long time, I didn’t FEEL old, so I just ignored it. Only lately have I focused on which end of the hour glass is fuller…Carol
The Itty Bitty Boomer
/ September 2, 2011lol! Love your mom … sounds like a spunky ol’gal like mine was … as far as “women of a certain age”? To that I say … we are “WOMEN OF A PERFECT AGE”!
Good Friday to you!!!
Lynne Spreen
/ September 2, 2011Hey, Itty Bitty, I just stopped by your new website and it’s got legs. Best wishes. Hope it is as fun and fulfilling for you as Any Shiny Thing has been for me.
Corinne
/ September 2, 2011I’m proud to be a “Woman of a Certain Age”! Your post today reminded me of a funny incident when my daughter, who has always looked about 10-15 years younger than she really is, was about 18. We were at a banquet, and they brought her the childrens meal. She was irate and extremely offended! The next day, we went to a restaurant and she was picking up the tab, and started laughing when she got the bill, because she said “Now we’re even….they gave you the senior citizens discount (I was about 50 but have had gray hair for years). I will happily take the discount! I have worked in long term care and senior housing for 30 years, and the wisdom of our elders is invaluable and a true gift and blessing.
Lynne Spreen
/ September 2, 2011Good story, Corinne. Shoe was on the other foot that day! And you are right about our elders’ gifts. Thanks for stopping by.
Corinne
/ September 2, 2011By the way, love the windmill pictures on the top of this page. I just moved back to my native state of North Dakota, and to me there’s nothing more beautiful than the waving wheat and the wonderful (and nearly gone) windmills.
Lynne Spreen
/ September 2, 2011Corinne, I took that picture in ND! Mom and I had just left Dickinson (her home town) in June of 2008. We on the 85 heading south just past Belfield (off the 94). My extended family is mostly in Dickinson, but also Williston, Bismarck, Richardton and Grand Forks. Thanks for mentioning that you’re a native NDakotan. What city, if I may ask?
Corinne
/ September 13, 2011I was born and raised in Crosby (way way way up in the NW corner), and left at the wise old age of 17, saying I would NEVER come back to ND. And now I’m nearly 60 and extremely happy to be back. I live in Bismarck, and although I’m not looking forward to a ND winter, I love being back with family and friends.
Joanne...
/ September 3, 2011Great post – I love the comment about the magnifying mirror – that was my (requested) birthday present on my 50th birthday. I got tired of poking myself in the eye and putting more mascara on my eyelids than eyelashes!
Lynne Spreen
/ September 3, 2011Thanks, Joanne. It’s disheartening to see all the wrinkles up close, but I would rather know if I have eye shadow cascading down my cheeks than not. Happy Labor Day!
Nomi
/ September 3, 2011So, I was not going to leave a comment on this out of…..I don’t know, self-consciousness? But then I figured what the heck.
I’m 44. For a crazy amount of time (decades), I’ve been preoccupied with the idea of women not being seen as sexual beings after…whatever age. A few years ago, the idea of a tee-shirt that says “A woman of a certain age” popped into my head. I’m not a real activist type, but, obviously, this is a “statement” tee-shirt. I set up a Cafe Press online store, and a little blog. I thought the idea was so great that all I’d have to do was tell people, and the shirts would sweep the nation.
Yeah, that didn’t quite happen. I’ve since talked to a bunch of people with experience with these things and have been told that one of the things I need to do is “start a conversation” about the whole idea, get people involved. Have not yet done that, as if I’m going to get more serious about this, I have to get out of Cafe Press and find a better way to sell the shirts. Also have to find out how, or hire someone, to get traffic to me.
Anyway, all this NOT to plug my still fledgling site, but to say that I figured the “conversation” had to in part be about how old is a woman of a certain age. Though, really that is just a starter and not even quite the point.
When I read your post, however, it struck me as true. If you have to ask, you are too young. I am very aware that though I am not officially young anymore, and it shows, I am still…..how to put it? I’m still just barely passing as viable in these terms, on borrowed time. I know I have not become “invisible” to the masses quite yet, and that when I realize I have, that will be a new world.
Inevitably, my feelings and views on all of this will change. But I do think these limitations affect women of all ages — in very different ways, of course — and we cannot know things that we have not yet experienced. But I think that for many young women, the knowledge of a sort of expiration date coming sometime in a foggy future, haunts them.
This is getting very long, but I can’t end before I make it clear both that I do not think that this is all a bad thing — it propels people to find REAL meaning and purpose in their lives — and also that I think some of idea that women are not sexy after whenever is a fallacy.
Lynne Spreen
/ September 3, 2011Oh, Nomi, I hope you don’t feel excluded from our conversations because you are only 44. My daughter Donna is 40 and I’ve told her she’s of a certain age, and to please feel welcome. I remember the challenges of all my ages, and none of them were/are easy.
Traditionally, “women of a certain age” was code for “older women”. What is “older”? Not sure. But a 44-year-old is certainly on the cusp of life-changing upheaval. If we older peeps can reach back with reassurance along your journey, we surely will.
As to your tee shirts, the phrase “woman of a certain age” on a baby is funny and ironic, because it asks the question, “what age is that, dude?” It’s kind of in-your-face and I like it. But if you put it on a woman who is middle-aged or older, it says less, because it’s like identifying what already is. Like a woman wearing a shirt that says “woman.” If you maybe made it into a sentence that was more catchy with lots of different endings, that might sell more. Example: “A Woman of a Certain Age Jumps Out of Planes.” (see my last post with Nanci skydiving.) Or, “…Likes to Take a Little Walk.” (with a pic of a woman atop Mt. Everest). Or, “…Enjoys a Refreshing Swim” (with a pic of Diana Nyad swimming to Cuba – or trying to, anyway.) I like the look of your website. Best wishes with your biz.
Nomi
/ September 3, 2011Lynne, thanks so much for you thoughtful welcoming words. And I think your ideas about the tee shirts are great — thank you.
quillfyre
/ September 3, 2011Sometimes it is GOOD not to be seen as a sexual being. It means you can go to the grocery store without having to spend a lot of time fussing with hair and makeup too! As for invisible, I would like to share a poem, if I may, that I wrote several years ago.
Invisible
Is this how invisible feels?
Walk down the street
faces turn away
blank eyes in blank faces
make me so small
i could fit through
the eye of a needle.
Invisible is painful
needle-pricks in skin.
Sometimes eyes do register:
oldladyoldladyoldladyold
Not my fault,
my eyes say in return, then
cast down to count
cracks in the sidewalk
looking like wrinkles in old skin
oldladyoldladyoldladyold
Sounds of metal on metal
grind in my ears, careless collision
mind on other things
fearful that age does this
am i smaller today
than i was yesterday?
oldladyoldbodyoldmindoldlady
Am i more invisible today?
Each day smaller and
smaller until one day
i just disappear
only a crooked smile
like that cheshire cat
more and more absent-minded
until there is no mind at all?
oldladyoldladyoldinvisibleladyoldlady
Carol A Stephen
April 16, 2007
This poem won an Honourable Mention and publication in Arborealis,
an Ontario Poetry Society anthology, 2008
Lynne Spreen
/ September 3, 2011Thanks for sharing the poem, Carol. It is rich and poignant. The award is well-deserved.
I agree about the relief when you feel an absence of sexual pressure. I’m okay looking and basically shy, and when I was younger I felt like a piece of meat. Now I’m free of that. To me it’s a good thing. Obama recently said of his graying hair and wrinkles, “Michelle still thinks I’m cute.” And that’s how I feel too. Bill still thinks I’m cute and I don’t care about anybody else.
Betsy
/ September 3, 2011So happy to find a blog I can relate to! I live in England and next year at 60 I’ll be able to ride the buses for free anywhere in the country. Your blog has me planning my first trip rather than feeling depressed at turning 60. Thank you.
Lynne Spreen
/ September 3, 2011Hi Betsy! It’s good to have you along on our journey. I hope to hear from you again soon.
Kathleen Pooler
/ September 3, 2011Oh My Gosh, Lynne, You are too funny!! I love this post and all its reminders of how keeping a good sense of humor is vital to growing old gracefully. The first time a 20-something Dunkin Donuts clerk gave me a senior discount without even asking, I was taken back. Then I thought,”Hey, I just saved 10%. I get to pocket a few cents rather than digging for more”. The “Grandma Card” is a great idea. BTW. your Mom is my heroine and role model-independent and feisty, full of that Greatest Generation spunk and pride like my own 88 yo Mom. Give her a hug for me!
Lynne Spreen
/ September 3, 2011I sure will, Kathy. We just had lunch at the pool, in my 55+ community where she now lives, and as we were leaving a friend of mine came barreling over to “meet Lynne’s mom.” Funny thing is, my friend isn’t much taller than Mom, and we joked about it. I said, “See Mom? Here at Four Seasons, you’re even taller!”
Linda Robinson
/ September 4, 2011Your post, Lynne, reminds me happily again of Lear’s Magazine: women of a certain age are women who weren’t born yesterday. Just saw some photographs of my great-grandmother in 1919, hands on hips, chin high, in the swimming costume of the day that, while flouncy, long and supposedly modest, soaking wet, it’s all out there anyway. Very inspirational.
Lynne Spreen
/ September 4, 2011Linda, is that picture anywhere that we can see it? Sounds wonderful!
tricia
/ March 1, 2013Being small and having a rather silly personality, I’m used to people expressing surprise at my age (particularly when I ask for a senior discount) . While the natural , nice-girl response is to thank someone for thinking you are younger, I really have reached the age where I don’t want to thank someone for the flattery (which, let’s face it, often times is just chatter/I don’t know that they think I look that young) .
I don’t respond nastily to the comment – but I also don’t want to act too pleased/grateful at such remarks because it suggests that youth is better, that we all strive to look young. That I need to hear that. I feel good about being older – about reaching that age where I can cop a certain attitude that comes with becoming more mature; I like that the things I seek are no longer what I needed/wanted when I was much younger. I like being seasoned/smart/a sage.
Lynne Spreen
/ March 2, 2013Tricia, you’re silly like Rosa Parks was silly. Or Gloria Steinem. It’s hard to convey to people that it’s insulting to be “complimented” about not looking like what you are. It’s like agreeing with the YOUNG person that WHEW, Thank God I don’t look my age, for $%^#’s sake. ANYTHING but what I am. What in insult. How ignorant. Yet they mean well. I get discouraged when peeps my age don’t get what you’re saying. So thanks for saying it. Glad you’re here.