Running head: BOOK REVIEW 1

Book Review: Lean In

Rachelle De La Cruz

University of St. Thomas

EDUC 6331 Internship II

Dr. Eduardo Torres

April 1st, 2017

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Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg, currently the chief operating officer (COO) of Facebook,

wrote a remarkable book comparable to a feminist manifesto. The book is written in the first

person and recounts stories of hardship as she has risen to top level positions. Additionally,

Sheryl does a marvelous job encouraging mothers who are in the workforce to continue striving

for their dreams instead of bowing out to take care of the children and family.

I chose to read this particular book because I currently work 60 to 65 hour days, am

enrolled in the principal certification program at University of St. Thomas, and also have a

toddler. Before I became a mother, I felt I could achieve anything and move up the career ladder

relatively easily based on the long hours at work and merit. Unfortunately, once I became a

mother, I found myself feeling guilty about the amount of energy I exerted on my job and I have

not quite, yet, figured out a comfortable balance. I often feel like I am running a marathon and

there is no finish line regardless of how hard I push myself to run faster and faster given my

constraints. Working full time and being a mother allows society to make you feel your priorities

are in the wrong place and your children will be adversely affected as a result. Throughout the

book, Sandberg cites reputable university research repudiating all notion children are harmed by

being raised by working mothers. In 1991, the Early Child Care Research Network, under the

auspices of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found that children

who were cared for exclusively by their mothers did not develop differently than those who were

also cared for by others (Sandberg, 2016).

Moreover, Sandberg spoke about the emotional difficulties of leaving your children in the

care of others and also stated how necessary it is for some women to open up the pathways for

more. In the chapter titled sit at the table, Sandberg recounts a memory of entering a building

on Wall St. and there being no restroom designated for women. Apparently, she had been the
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only women to be invited there to pitch an idea on behalf of a large corporation. There need to be

more women in higher level positions to metaphorically sit at the table and make changes as

commonsensical as having restrooms for both genders. When I worked at Teach for America, I

was blessed to have a nursing room where I could nurse my son and bring him when child care

was unavailable. The nursing room was a new addition to the office given our corporate

employment officer (CEO), Elisa Villanueva Beard, was a mother of three and expecting. Had

our CEO been a man, he may not understood the need for a nursing room to accommodate

expectant and new mothers. This is another example of why the leadership gender gap needs to

be corrected and women not only be given opportunities but also need to actively seek

opportunities to be able to sit at the table.

Following the chapter where Sandberg explained why women should not only sit at the

table but also strive to do so, she wrote about making your partner a real partner. This is probably

the most difficult of all to follow through with given people have a myriad of experiences,

childhood rearing, and beliefs. Personally, I was raised in a single parent household where my

mother taught us to be self-sufficient and never depend on anyone else. On the other hand, my

husband was raised in a traditional two parent household where his mother stayed home and his

father worked to maintain the household. As a result, his views on partnership and the home

reinforce gender stereotypes whereas mine go completely reject stereotypes. Sandberg (2016)

states true partnership in our homes does more than just benefit couples today; it also sets the

stage for the next generation. She defines true partnership as both partners understanding their

time is equally valuable thus each is more willing to help with housework and children. She calls

for a more equal division of labor between parents to help model better behavior (Sandberg,

2016). Ultimately, Sandberg reinforces women cannot have it all but they can be happy and have
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a healthy work-life balance if they possess a job they are passionate and a partner who is truly a

partner.

After reading this book, some apparent implications for school administrators is the need

to maximize every minute of the work day hours and prioritize. It is easy for administrators to

believe everything is important and requires immediate attention but in reality this is not the

case. Administrators need to set clear expectations of their work for themselves and boundaries

for the hours they will work in order to be home and attend important functions to family. The

assistant principal at my school advised me to apply for an assistant principalship at a school

where there was more than one assistant principal to share the load. She is a mother of two

whose husband travels often for work and she attends all hockey and figure skating functions for

her children. Additionally, she is highly effective, thorough, and revered at work. Administrators

like her serve as models for the younger generation of aspiring leaders, like myself.

I am beyond excited to have read this particular book because it came at the best time in

my life. This year has not been without hardship but I will not falter or crumble. I have to

continue to strive to achieve my goals and continue to make a difference in the lives of educators

and children alike. Sandbergs motto is done is better than perfect and it is one I will begin to

adopt moving forward. In our society, women are expected to be perfect at work, perfect mothers

which includes cooking with organic ingredients and keeping a tidy home at all times. This is not

my reality and has caused a great deal of stress over the year. I, in the eyes of society, have failed

my family in favor of my job which is not in the least bit true. Ensuring I prioritize tasks and

complete these first will relieve stress and induce positive feelings. Perfection is not something I

should strive for or hold myself to because it is not realistic. I can only do what is best for myself

and my family.
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Additionally, it was refreshing to read about Sandbergs setbacks and failures throughout

her career and her will to persist. At times, we may have every excuse to drop out of the race and

know we cannot and should not. As challenging as it has been to juggle every commitment this

year, I am beyond blessed to have a network of support and people in my corner. My assistant

principal is providing quality coaching and sees potential in me resulting in receiving more

responsibility. She has been encouraging me to apply for assistant principal positions this year

and I may.
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References

Sandberg, S. (2016). Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to lead. Penguin Random House.