Lean In - Sheryl Sandberg

Women often say, more women in power will bring more opportunities to the tribe. And one of the most powerful women, the Facebook CEO fiercely penned down her real experiences. The book titled 'Lean In' was published in 2013 and brought a wave amongst women and got them thinking. It has been a year since I read this powerful, no-beating round-the-bush book. Sheryl puts her points straight and eloquently and means every word. I was in a phase in my life where I was dwindling between desire and deserve. I constantly questioned myself, "Is this what I want to be?" Is this the end of my career? And this book met me at the right time. I have started believing this—you do not choose; things, people, or events...everything chooses you! Ultimately, this book chose me...it brought clarity and power.

Lean In became a huge cultural phenomenon. It instantly got a lot of attention, and women readers, making it a top bestseller. It openly talked about women's ambition power and empowerment. Lean In had everything that dominated opinion pages, and magazine covers. Not only that it also sparked ferocious debate about women and leadership. The question it brought to light was: Are women courageous and confident enough to ask for equality at jobs, in pay, promotions, or a raise? Sheryl has brought in statistics based on the first world data, that cannot fit the rest of the world. Yet, numbers bring immense clarity to where women stand. 

A woman's grit is essential to her success. However, her childhood, adulthood, and importantly her partner/spouse are crucial in shaping her career. Is geography an important factor in a woman's success? I assertively say - Yes! An evolved society nurtures more successful and powerful women than an un-evolved one. The struggles faced by women of/from the first-world countries and the rest are entirely different. The privileges of the second and third-world nations are rights of the first-world nations. 

An evolved society is one where we all should be treated fairly. We should not have to demand. The fact that Lean In is about Sheryl's struggles while living in the most powerful country in the world speaks volumes. Society and our work system are work in progress. 

We need more Sheryl Sandberg(s) and Lean In(s). 

A must-read that will make you think, analyze, and question your career graph.