Originally published here.

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead is a self-proclaimed “sort of feminist manifesto” written to empower women and men. Sandberg gives insight into how to overcome and help others overcome the internal and external obstacles that may hinder success. Sheryl Sandberg studied economics while at Harvard, is currently the COO of Facebook, and was recently named one of the most influential persons and powerful women in the world. Sandberg is not a financial professional and this title is not explicitly afinancial text. Lean In, however, lends itself well to the financial therapy field.

The narrative provided is applicable to professionals who counsel women, and especially to financial professionals who are women. This text will help illuminate ways for financial therapists, advisors, counselors, and planners to connect with their female clients. Financial professionals will appreciate Sandberg’s candid dialogue about topics like the “myth of doing it all” and “success and likeability.” Lean In consists of an introduction and 11 chapters divided into two main parts: problems and proposed “adjustments.” Part one of the text includes the introduction and chapter one. Early in the text, Sandberg incites a call to action by presenting reasons why women should pursue leadership positions.

In the introduction, Sandberg identifies several inequalities between men and women in an effort to inspire change. In chapter one, she discusses “the Leadership Ambition Gap” between women and men, and highlights that there are too few women in power. She attributes this inequality to internal and external obstacles that women face throughout their lifetimes. She discusses the socialization of girls and boys translating into the lack of women leaders.

In the subsequent chapters, Sandberg outlines “adjustments” women and others can make to overcome internal and external obstacles. She uses scholarly research, personal anecdotes, and statistical evidence to support her statements and recommendations of how women can Lean In. Sandberg does an excellent job of integrating her conversational style with research from the fields of psychology and sociology. She uses each of the remaining 10 chapters to discuss topics to help women become leaders in their fields. She makes such suggestions as “sit at the table” and “make your partner your real partner”.

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