Lean In summary

Nowhere is gender inequality more evident than in leadership positions: Just 20% of parliament seats globally are held by women, and only 4% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women.

These figures are striking because in the realm of academic achievement, women, on average, fare better than men, earning 57% of all undergraduate degrees and 60% of master’s degrees in the U.S. Yet, somehow this flood of competent women entering the workforce becomes a trickle by the time they reach the leadership level.

We must be able to speak openly about gender and the disadvantages women face without this being seen as complaining or as demanding special treatment.

An open discussion raises awareness and encourages more people to come forth and address the issues. This should in turn inspire more women to lead and more men to want to be part of the solution and support women to lead.

In addition to the many external obstacles that impede women at work, they often also face a battle from within: self-doubt.

Even the most competent professionals, including the author herself, can be plagued by the impostor syndrome: feeling like your skills and success are fraudulent – and soon to be uncovered. Women tend to experience impostor syndrome more intensely than men and in general underestimate their own abilities.

Today, the career ladder concept is inaccurate. People no longer advance linearly from entry level to executive in one company or industry. A more accurate image is a jungle gym with multiple routes to the top.

This concept is comforting for people who, like the author, have no specific career plan after graduating college. On a jungle gym, you don’t need an exact goal; you can try out the various routes available and see which ones lead you in the right direction.

Even today, gender stereotypes color our perceptions of others: men are expected to be decisive and driven, women sensitive and communal.

A woman with a successful career violates her gender stereotype, which is why likeability and career success are positively correlated for men but negatively correlated for women. Competent, ambitious men are praised, whereas such women are described as “pushy” or “not team players.” This is incredibly unfair, especially as likeability is an important factor for career success.

Authentic, honest communication is essential in the workplace. It strengthens relationships, allows unwise decisions to be challenged and helps people broach uncomfortable topics. Yet, many people, especially women, fear that speaking honestly at work can make them seem negative or unduly critical. Hence, they bite their tongue when in fact, their input is sorely needed.

This is why leaders must do all they can to encourage authenticity by asking people for feedback and suggestions, as well as by publicly thanking those who have been honest.

Many young professional women today seem near-obsessed with finding themselves a mentor – and for good reason. Senior executives who advise you and use their influence on your behalf are crucial to career advancement, regardless of gender.

Unfortunately, it is far more difficult for women than men to find such relationships. One reason is that most senior corporate leaders are men, and they feel uncomfortable mentoring young women due to the possible misinterpretations of such a relationship.

For women to successfully combine a fulfilling career with raising a family, a supportive partner who is committed to equality at home is vital. A 2007 study of well-educated women who left the workforce showed that 60% cited their husbands as a critical factor in that decision, referring specifically to their husband’s lack of participation in child care and other domestic activities.

So how equal are homes today? According to recent data, in U.S. households where both parents are employed full-time, the mother still spends 40% more time on childcare and 30% more time on housework than the father does.

From an early age, girls are taught that one day they will have to choose between a successful career and being a good mother.

This image is not only misleading and disheartening, it also has a nasty side effect: Women damage their own careers by preemptively making room for what they assume will be an impossible balancing act between career and family.

The myth of “having it all” is one of the most dangerous traps ever set for women. No one can have it all because life is about tradeoffs. No one can do everything at home and at work perfectly.

In high-stress jobs, people often do everything the company asks of them – and then suddenly quit because of burnout. This is senseless.