I love Sheryl Sandberg.
It was love at first sight when I read her New Yorker profile, and my feelings were cemented by her TED talk. For those who might not know, Sandberg is COO of Facebook and the person credited with remaking the ubiquitous social network site into a respectable business. Although Sandberg rose through the ranks of a male-centered industry, she managed to maintain her femininity. In her TED talk, she comes across as personable and confident yet soft-spoken and warm. She is not one of the guys, but she can still beat them at their own game.
During her TED talk, Sandberg discusses the lack of female leaders in business and politics. She shares some of her best advice for changing that gender imbalance. Sandberg encourages women to “sit at the table,” speak up, and share their ideas. This particularly struck me since, as a woman, I understand the struggle of trying to lead while trying to shush that little inner voice that prompts me to be a good girl.
Sandberg also asks women not to “leave before they leave” or to give up on their professional ambitions once they decide to go have children; this is a valid point, yet it might be more of a systematic problem than a personal one. At least twice, I’ve been asked during a job interview if I had children (this question is, of course, illegal, but that didn’t seem to matter). One interviewer went as far as to explain to me that he was asking because the open position required a high level of commitment and long hours, and it was the company’s opinion that a woman with children would not be the best fit for the role. I don’t have children yet; however, this interviewer’s candor made me wonder about my career prospects. How am I supposed to get the jobs I want in the future when those doing the hiring will think I can’t do the job because I have kids?
Right now, female leaders in Sheryl Sandberg’s position are the exception, but the goal should be to make them commonplace. Women at every tier must work toward individual goals and systematic changes that will create better opportunities for fellow female professionals. And, maybe one day, I won’t have to worry about being asked if I have kids during job interviews.
Real Thoughts 