Inspite of being more than a decade into the 21st century, women still do not enjoy equitable opportunities and senior positions in the corporate world as compared to their male counterparts. Why do women need to negotiate success? Why must success for women in the business world always come at the cost of something precious – children, family, femininity. Are women themselves the greatest hindrance to their own success? Do women buy into the notion that “success is not worth it?” Sheryl Sandberg writes a compelling maiden book that explores the internal and external barriers that keep women from achieving their dreams. An insightful and thought provoking read — here is a review of the book by Summi Gambhir, Cofounder & Chief Experience Officer at DigiVation Digital Solutions.

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
Lean In is a must for those who believe in the potential of women around them

Sheryl Sandberg’s extremely powerful, candid and forthright “conversation” with readers in Lean In is just the sort a number of us women seek in our lives. We need validations and inspiration, as we strive towards excellence and happiness. Our efforts in seeking the right balance between our professional and personal lives, most times make for an arduous journey.

Some inputs we get in the course of our journey strongly supplicate our beliefs; at other times, they cast a shadow of doubt on the strongest of our convictions; and yet, sometimes, encourage us to introspect some more. The end result ought to be a more “aware us”, a more “confident us”, and a “happier us”.

Sandberg’s Lean In makes an otherwise difficult journey enjoyable, as new and rich landscapes unravel before our eyes. Places we may have fleetingly passed by, without a flicker of recognition of the wondrous things they hide. Sandberg’s simple anecdotes from her life make the chief operating officer of Facebook seem like any one of us – just plain and simple.

Sandberg tells women how important it is to “sit at the table”. She also tells men how to support their colleagues, spouses and partners; to help enrich their lives by helping discover their potential.

Lean In is a must for those who believe in the potential of women around them. The very least a woman reader will discover is that we can find in ourselves the potential to be companions, mothers and, yes, successful executives, not shy of contributing to the growth of our organisations.

Source: http://www.timeoutdelhi.net/books/reviews/lean-women-work-and-will-lead