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

John Chambers (CEO/Cisco)

After reading Lean In and listening to Sheryl, I realize that, while I believe I am relatively enlightened, I have not consistently walked the talk. I think each of you, on reflection, will identify opportunities to operate at a new level with your women employees, leaders, customers, partners, and peers ... 1) please read the copy of Lean In you will be receiving shortly, before we get to the SVP/VP off-site and 2) determine 3-4 specific things you will do differently.

Richard Branson (Founder/Virgin Group)

If you loved Sheryl Sandberg's incredible TED talk on why we have too few women leaders, or simply believe as I do that we need equality in the boardroom, then this book is for you. As Facebook's COO, Sheryl Sandberg has first-hand experience of why having more women in leadership roles is good for business as well as society. Lean In is essential reading for anyone interested in righting the injustice of this inequality.

Andra Zaharia (Freelance Content Marketer/The Content Habit)

While I was thinking of the best books to add to this short list, I realized that not even half of them are directly related to digital marketing. This is because I believe that the best marketers are people who understand human nature deeply and aim to bring out the best in it. Call me naive, but that’s how I see it. If I were to want to pursue a career in marketing, I’d read [...] Lean In.

Mark Zuckerberg (Founder/Facebook)

For the past five years, I've sat at a desk next to Sheryl and I've learned something from her almost every day. She has a remarkable intelligence that can cut through complex processes and find solutions to the hardest problems. Lean In combines Sheryl's ability to synthesize information with her understanding of how to get the best out of people. The book is smart and honest and funny. Her words will help all readers - especially men - to become better and more effective leaders.

Jeff Immelt (CEO/General Electric)

Shery; is a unique business leader because of her versatility and breadth. She has the two traits that are very common in every successful leader I have known: curiosity and determination. Sheryl brings all of her insight to Lean In, an important new book that companies can use to get the most out of their talent. With her ideas and actions, Sheryl will help to define leadership in the years to come.

Wendy Kopp (Co-Founder/Teach For All)

To tackle society's most pressing problems we need to unleash the leadership of both women and men. Lean In shows us the path and is an absolutely invaluable resource for the next generation of leaders and those who support them.

Marjorie Scardino (CEO/Pearson PLC)

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, 'No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.' With stories from her own life and carefully researched data, Sheryl Sandberg reminds women that they have to believe in themselves and reach for opportunities. More women than men may need that advice, but I'd bet that both genders can profit from this very well done book.

Julia Enthoven (Co-Founder/Kapwing)

Lean In had a big impact on me. I read Sandberg’s “manifesto” in the last semester of University when I was about to start an intimidating new job at Google. It helped me be more successful at work and also boosted my confidence, ambition, and drive to be successful in a male-dominated industry. I think every leader should read Lean In to understand how unconscious bias effects even the most well-intentioned employees of both genders.

Meenakshi Sharma (Founder/DateFyx)

I enjoyed reading 'Lean-In' by Sheryl Sandberg, as I could totally relate to it, at the phase I was in, a few years ago, with 2 very young children. I have passed on that book to so many women who struggle to find the balance. It's a well-written book, narrating the author's own experience balancing marriage, kids and a demanding job.

Ng Rong Xin (Co-Founder/Explorer Junior)

Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead by Sandra Sandberg - Inspiring read for aspiring young women

Ee Ling Lim (CEO/SmarterMe)

I've always thought of myself as a go-getter, but only after reading it did I realize there was still so much for me to lean in to. For one, women tend to underestimate themselves, only putting our hands up when we are certain we are ready for it. Whereas men would go for a role they are only 60% ready for. This insight came useful for me when I made my first hire - she applied for a marketing role, and I offered her a business development one. She was going to reject it, as she had not had the experience and wasn't sure she could handle the role. I actually quoted Sheryl Sandberg! And she turned out to be amazing at business development!

Lisa Terziman-Gutu (Co-Founder & CMO/Fentury)

The book which influenced me the most was probably “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead Book"" by Nell Scovell and Sheryl Sandberg.

Why this book in particular? I had the same feeling that I can’t assume any responsibility or dare for something, until I’m 300% sure that I’m amazingly good at such time of job. This book helped me to try new things, which I never did before, like start my own startup, even though I didn’t have enough experience in the field. I failed many times, but I never gave up and did my best in order to succeed. Another thing I’m grateful for is breaking the stereotypes I had back home - that you should either choose between your work or a family. You can’t do both at the same time.

This is exactly what Sheryl did and had, which means that it’s possible to have it both, no matter what others are saying.

Oprah Winfrey (CEO/Oprah Winfrey Network)

Honest and brave... The new manifesto for women in the workplace.

Jim Collins (Author)

Sheryl Sandberg has done a tremendous service with this work. It offers a vital and sharp message, for women and men. We need great leaders in key seats spread throughout all sectors of society, and we simply cannot afford to lose 50 percent of the smartest, most capable people from competing for those seats. Provocative, practical, and inspired!

Arianna Huffington (Founder/Thrive Global)

Important . . . This is a great moment for all of us—women and men—to acknowledge that the current male-dominated model of success isn’t working for women, and it’s not working for men, either . . . The world needs women to redefine success beyond money and power. We need a third metric, based on our well-being, our health, our ability to unplug and recharge and renew ourselves, and to find joy in both our job and the rest of our life.