What does it mean to “lean

Before we can determine what it means to “lean-in” we need to know the current statistics of where we are as women in 2013.

Below is my summary of Sheryl Sandberg’s TED Talk

There are still 4.4 million women and girls trapped in the sex trade
In the western world we are lucky we have choices and from a humanitarian perspective our safety
However women are not making it to the top
There are 195 independent countries and only 17 are led by women
20% of seats in parliament held globally
18% congress seats in the US
22% members of parliament in the UK
None of these figures get close to 50%
4% of the Fortune 500 CEOs are women
In the UK 7% Executive Directors and 15% board seats held in the FTSE 100
In the UK women are paid 15% less than men

What can we start to do?

Sit at the table

Government official arrived for a meeting at Facebook there were two women from his department, Sheryl invited them to sit at the table, they preferred to sit at the back of the room.
Arrived at an office for a pitch, the Director hosting the meeting did not know where the women’s bathroom was. Sheryl asked the question in the last year has no female pitched for any business?
A man attributes a “good job” to himself, women attribute to others
57% of men will negotiate their salary only 7% of women will
Why do women underestimate?
Data shows that there is a correlation between success and likeability
A study of Heidi Roizen a successful female entrepreneur was shown to students, however the data was presented as two people with the only difference being one was called Heidi and one Howard. The students were asked to comment on the success of Heidi and Howard, and everyone agreed they were competent in equal comparison. However when quizzed the students said Howard seemed a great guy however Heidi might be too much out there for herself.
Is it possible to be successful and be liked?

Make your partner a real partner

Women normally have 3 jobs – house keeper/child minder/ worker where as some men may just focus on work
We bring boys up to succeed
Perception of Dad’s at home – often not welcome at the Gymboree
Equal earning capacity corresponds with a lower divorce rate

Don’t leave before you leave