Sheryl Sandberg

Born in 1969 to a Jewish family in Washington D.C., Sheryl Sandberg's early life was comfortable but not extravagant. Her parents, Adele and Joel Sandberg, instilled in her a strong work ethic and a passion for education.

As a child, Sandberg stood out for her intelligence and leadership skills. She was always at the top of her class and took on leadership roles in school clubs. But it wasn't all smooth sailing. Sandberg faced challenges common to many young women, including self-doubt and the pressure to conform to societal expectations.

"I was insecure and I thought that if I didn't get the best grades or succeed in every activity, I was worth less," Sandberg once revealed.

The turning point in Sandberg's journey came during her time at Harvard. It was here that she met Larry Summers, who would become her mentor and open doors to opportunities in Washington D.C. This chance encounter set her on a path that would eventually lead her to Silicon Valley.

But Sandberg's rise wasn't without obstacles. As a woman in male-dominated fields, she faced skepticism and bias. She often found herself the only woman in the room, a situation that could be intimidating and isolating.

"I felt like a fraud. I felt like I didn't deserve to be there," Sandberg admitted about her early career experiences.

Despite these challenges, Sandberg persevered. She joined Google in 2001 when the company was still a startup. Her leadership helped grow Google's ad business from a few million dollars to $16.6 billion in revenue.

In 2008, Sandberg made the bold move to join Facebook as its COO. Under her leadership, Facebook transformed from a popular website into a profitable business. The company's revenue grew from $272 million in 2008 to $117.9 billion in 2021.

Sandberg's success extends beyond her corporate achievements. Her book "Lean In" became a cultural phenomenon, sparking conversations about women in the workplace worldwide.

"We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women's voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored," Sandberg wrote in "Lean In".

However, Sandberg's journey hasn't been without controversy. Facebook faced numerous scandals during her tenure, including issues around user privacy and the spread of misinformation.

Despite these challenges, Sandberg's impact on the tech industry and women's leadership is undeniable. She's used her platform to advocate for gender equality and mentorship.

"The most important thing - and I've said it a hundred times and I'll say it a hundred times - if you're offered a seat on a rocket ship, don't ask what seat! Just get on," Sandberg famously advised.

Sandberg's story is one of resilience, ambition, and the power of seizing opportunities.

Lessons

Lesson 1: Embrace the jungle gym, not the ladder. You shouldn't view your career as a straight path upward. Sandberg's journey took her from the World Bank to Google to Facebook. Each move wasn't necessarily a step up, but a step in a new direction. This approach allows you to gain diverse experiences and skills. It also makes you more adaptable in a rapidly changing job market. Remember, the most interesting opportunities often come from unexpected places. Don't be afraid to take a sideways or even downward move if it leads to growth.

Lesson 2: Make your partner a real partner. Your choice of life partner is one of the most important career decisions you'll make. Sandberg emphasizes the importance of finding a partner who truly shares domestic responsibilities. This goes beyond just helping out occasionally. It means equally dividing childcare, household chores, and mental load. When both partners take on these responsibilities, it allows each person to pursue their career goals more fully. This equality at home translates to more opportunities in the workplace.

Lesson 3: Don't leave before you leave. Many women start scaling back their career ambitions long before they actually have children. They pass up opportunities or stop reaching for promotions, anticipating future family responsibilities. Sandberg argues this is a mistake. Keep pushing forward in your career until you actually need to make a change. You'll be in a much stronger position when you do decide to have a family. Plus, you might find that your workplace is more accommodating than you expected.

Lesson 4: Make your voice heard. In meetings, women often sit on the sidelines or stay quiet. Sandberg encourages you to literally take a seat at the table and make your voice heard. Speak up early in meetings to establish your presence. Don't wait for someone to ask your opinion. If you're interrupted, politely but firmly reclaim your point. Your ideas are valuable. Make sure they're heard.

Lesson 5: Seek and speak your truth. Honesty in the workplace is crucial, but often lacking. Sandberg advocates for radical candor - caring personally while challenging directly. Give honest feedback to your colleagues and superiors. Ask for honest feedback in return. This approach builds trust and leads to better outcomes. It's not always comfortable, but it's necessary for growth and improvement.

Lesson 6: Don't ask "Can I do it all?" Ask "Can I do what's most important?". Trying to do everything perfectly is a recipe for burnout. Instead, focus on what truly matters to you. Prioritize ruthlessly. Say no to things that aren't essential. This might mean letting go of some perfectionist tendencies. But it allows you to excel in the areas that are most important to you, both personally and professionally.

Sheryl Sandberg Quotes

On decision-making: "Done is better than perfect."

On self-improvement: "The ability to learn is the most important quality a leader can have."

On risk-taking: "Fortune does favour the bold and you'll never know what you're capable of if you don't try."

On work-life balance: "There is no perfect fit when you're looking for the next big thing to do. You have to take opportunities and make an opportunity fit for you, rather than the other way around."

On leadership: "Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence."

On self-advocacy: "Hard work and results should be recognised by others, but when they aren't, advocating for oneself becomes necessary."

On prioritization: "Long-term success at work often depends on not trying to meet every demand placed on us. The best way to make room for both life and career is to make choices deliberately—to set limits and stick to them."

On authenticity: "Bring your whole self to work. I don't believe we have a professional self Monday through Friday and a real self the rest of the time. It is all professional and it is all personal."

Videos

• Sheryl Sandberg Interview: From Google to Facebook
• Sheryl Sandberg Speech | Goalcast
• Stage X Lean In . . . A Conversation with Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Freed
• Best Inspirational Speech by Sheryl Sandberg

Book Recommendations

• Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
• Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy
• Lean In for Graduates

Further Readings

• "What Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg Learned About Leadership" - Harvard Business Review
• "The Education of Sheryl Sandberg" - Bloomberg Businessweek
• "Sheryl Sandberg's Complicated Legacy" - The Atlantic
• Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In: women in tech and media give their views