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Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead, Sheryl Sandberg’s new book is out today! If you are a woman or have a woman in your life that you look up to, enjoy or love this is well worth your time. It’s filled with statistics, stories and calls to action. Some stats you already know, some may be new and I hope they make you angry enough to take action. The stories will resonate with many and some who read will be surprised at Sandberg’s perspectives and the feelings they evoke. It is with these stats and stories in mind that I challenge you at TPE and NASPA.
“I do not believe there is one definition of success or happiness. Not all women want careers. Not all women want children. Not all women want both. I would never advocate that we should all have the same objectives.” - Sheryl Sandberg
Choose your goals and own them. We all want very different things so chase your unique dreams and encourage others. Let’s all lend a hand at the conference and help the woman next to us. This is not a competition. Let’s talk compensation, work environments, and great leadership. Let’s share information and make sure the women who are getting offers are also negotiating the very best deal. Shared intelligence levels the playing field and allows all of us to win. To do this we need to share information, judge less and give more.
“Women attribute their success to working hard, luck, and
help from other people,while men credit their own skills.”
-Sheryl Sandberg
Attribute your success and accomplishments to your core skills, experiences and talents. My friend, Ellen Heffernan coaches SSAO level candidates to balance “I” and “we” in interviews. Own your career success to demonstrate your ability to lead and share the glory when the accomplishment was the result of the team’s effort.
“It’s wonderful when senior men mentor women. It’s even better when they champion and sponsor them. Any male leader who is serious about moving toward a more equal world can make this a priority and be part of the solution.” -Sheryl Sandberg
Be visible, raise your hand and take important assignments. Great work attracts the attention of influential sponsors and champions. How you are involved, invested and engaged at NASPA gets noticed. Intentionally add value, ask for what you want then follow-up and follow through.
It’s time to cheer on girls and women who want to sit at the table, seek challenges,and lean in to their careers.” -Sheryl Sandberg
Highlight and celebrate the successes, awards and contributions of our sisters at NASPA. Let’s focus less on the outfits and more on the outcomes. Let’s pay more attention to what is said, explained and discussed and less on what is worn. Let’s encourage each other to aspire, to take the lead and to own our power. With a word, a look, or a smile we have the ability to lift and make TPE/NASPA even better. Let’s do this on purpose.
I received an advance copy of this book a few weeks ago. All it took was one request to a very talented and fabulous friend to secure this book before it was released. What do you want at TPE and NASPA? Are you willing to ask for it? I encourage you to read LEAN IN and to lean in to what you want, need and deserve.
Wishing you a fantastic TPE & NASPA experience. My best-T
Additional resources:
Check out Renee Dowdy’s Facebook post and the book clubs she is organizing around the book.
Also check out these links: Lean In, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook & @sherylsandberg
