Can We Really Lean In?

I first heard about the book Lean In on a morning news show.  At that time the book had not even been released but had mega buzz.  The conversations on these shows sparked my interest.  There were tons of questions about what the author, Sheryl Sandberg, hoped to accomplish, why she didn't offer solutions, and even if it was purely an autobiography.

Well here's my take:

I actually enjoyed the book.  Sandberg is correct in that it isn't an autobiography, despite it reading like one.  While statistics are incorporated, the book shares the experiences of Sandberg in addition to other women.  I now understand why the discussions held prior to the books release were all over the place.  Simply put, it will mean different things to different people.  Life experiences will impact how you feel about this book and in some cases whether you will agree with Sandberg's perspective.   In my opinion, the book is not meant to solve all of the issues related to women in leadership (although she does offer some suggestions about improvements); instead, it pushes self-reflection on ways you can begin to "Lean In". 

For me, it brought out the biases I had about women leaders.  If you had of asked me my gender preference for a supervisor, hands down I would have said a man.  In my mind, I've had the worst women supervisors.  At least that's what I let myself believe.  When I actually took time out to write them out, only been 2 or 3 were span of Satan.  

After letting go of that, I began to feel empowered. There was this connection, a feeling that someone understood the challenges one faces being a women in corporate America.  And quite honestly, some of those challenges I never correlated to gender. 

I would be amiss to not acknowledge the things this book helped me learn about myself ; I now sit at the table!  But even if that had not occurred, I would applaud it if for nothing else than it has people talking.

“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”

Prioritize

I'm sure it is all the death going on around me that has my mind preoccupied with the things of life. It is amazing how others successes, grief, etc can influence your behavior and thoughts (negatively or positively). All of that has brought me to ponder on several questions: What is true success? How does on truly enjoy life (instead of giving the mere appearance of such)? If you left the world today, would you have fulfilled your purpose? I know, I know...pretty deep questions, but none of which I think the average adult (which is NOT defined by a number) has not posed at one time or another. So here is what I can offer in short time I've been placed on this earth:

Everyone will define success differently and most likely, that definition will change overtime. For example, I can remember not so long ago when success for me would have been the completion of a goal. Now I think that is probably just a starting place of helping you find true success which I believe is really tied to your fulfilling your purpose in life. For me, success is tied to what I give to others (i.e., my time, my talent, and yes the MONEY). The more of myself I give to others, the better I feel. It is nothing like helping pull out of others what they didn't know they had.

So what happens that gets us so off track in our thinking? Easy...nothing but the good 'ole values of a capitalist society!! It is all about the mighty dollar y'all. Money and the people with it are running things (primarily because we allow it but that's a whole 'nother blog). We see images of others "living it up", the diamonds, the gold, houses, cars; not to mention shows like MTV cribs, the Life of the Rich and Famous. While there is nothing wrong with things, if we aren't careful we will get caught up in the hoopla of chasing them at any cost (family, friends, even life itself). That's when we start redefining life and success to the world's standard. That's when we get into trouble.

I have to constantly refocus myself on TRUTH because it is a daily struggle not to get caught up in the images that are put before you. But it isn't impossible to do. Watch who you let into your ear and your eyes. Remember, while you are stressing yourself out about a bill, a vacation that you can't take, or money that you don't have, LIFE is literally passing you by (not to mention you aren't particularly contributing to your health in a positive manner either). YES, be responsible but live in the meantime. Redefine your definition of success. Chase after those things that REALLY matter. Re-prioritize your life. FOCUS ON TRUTH and grow up!!

Have you shown love today???