I'm about halfway through Lean In. I decided to read it because I heard/read so much positive and negative commentary related to what Sheryl Sandberg has to say about women in the workplace, and more specifically, the lack of women in higher management jobs. Given my personal struggle of being a woman in a technical, male-dominated field, I thought I should read it and develop my own opinion.
So far, she's nailed it. I see myself, my career, my struggle with balance reflected in the pages. Before I ever had a boyfriend worthy of marrying, I started talking myself out of applying for certain jobs. I didn't want to travel (hello single woman with no ties, what the f-ck were you thinking?). I didn't want to work overtime (duh, no one does, but sometimes you need to early in your career when there's no one to take care of but you.)
There's another aspect to it though, and that has to do with plain old gender differences. Women tend to be risk averse and feel that they need to have all the skills an attributes of a position down before going for the next level. Men tend to be more confident in their ability to step into the unknown.
That's totally me. The last time a manager position came up in my workplace, I conveniently was planning on taking maternity leave and didn't put in for it. I was frustrated, but secretly fine with the fact that I didn't have to put myself out there to go for a position that I'm not sure I'd be effective in.
Now that I'm back at work, and reading this book, I'm realizing need to stop hiding. I don't want to retire at the level I'm at even though it is a perfectly good position both technically and project management-wise. But it's not me to stay in this position for the next 25 years or so without at least trying to move up in the organization. I've been hiding behind the "work-life balance" argument for a few years. Or, I've been hiding behind the "I need to accomplish A, B and C before I can apply for that job".
It's time to stop being scared.
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Oh. This book sounds like a must for any woman in a STEM field. Thanks for the review and recommendation!
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that women are MUCH less likely to apply for jobs that they're "not qualified for" ... where men go ahead and apply even though their qualifications don't match the job description. While I don't think that everything Sandberg has to say about leaning in (because it doesn't change the culture) works, some things she says are spot on.
ReplyDeleteI think what she's getting at though is that we need to start leaning in in order to effect change. Theoretically, with more women in these roles, the more likely the workplace will change. It's getting there that is really hard because it requires a fundamental shift in family life from the traditional roles to shared roles (or the partner taking on more family work).
DeleteDang. Now I'm feeling bad about sitting on my couch.
ReplyDelete;-)
I'm glad you're finding your voice, your fire, in reading that book. Cheering you on.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I need to read the book too. I'm torn though - I've been very happy the last few years when I stopped "leaning in," and decided that other things in my life were more important.
ReplyDeleteI might have to add this to my "to read" list. I had avoided it due to all the criticism. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I admire your courage. I wish I had that kind of confidence.
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