by Sheryl Sandberg with Nell Scovell
Many years after the introduction of gender equality, we still find that women are held back in the pursuit of their ambitions, usually hindered by gender stereotypes and expectations perpetuated since childhood. This book is written for women who want to pursue their goals and for men who want to understand what his spouse, friend, sister, daughter, colleague, etc is up against, so that they can also do their part in building a more equal society.
The book provides argumentation of why few women rise to the top of the corporate ladder. While external factors may play a part in the issue, the internalization of certain beliefs and behaviours have a role as well. Drawing from her own experience in the corporate world, the author gives advice to women to speak up and challenge their perceptions.
Book review and thoughts
This is actually the second time that I have read this book. The first time was about 9 years ago, when I was in a fairly junior position at my firm and just starting a family.
I think because of where I was in life when I first read the book, I found the advice really useful and certainly motivated me to see opportunities to step up at work rather than scaling back. This also triggered my brave decision to relocate my family (husband and 2 toddlers) overseas for work. That was the first time we lived overseas for an extended period of time, and without any family support to help with our 2 young kids. It was scary but certainly a memorable experience.
Re-reading this book now, while some of the advice still serve as good reminders, most are no longer very relevant for me. Through experience, my husband and I have found our own way to juggle work and family (the Covid-19 pandemic certainly helped things along). The kids are older and no longer need as much attention. I am also more mature and confident at work that I no longer mind so much about others’ perception of me.
Overall, a good book for any young man and woman to read in their mid-twenties to thirties as they start out in the corporate world. It helps to understand from a practitioner’s point of view the challenges faced by women and how we can empathise with their struggles. For women, be encouraged to stand up for yourselves!
Rin Ranger 