Lean In Women, Work, and the Will to Lead

Hmm. A decent enough conversation starter, but overall pretty shallow. There's very little practical advice, and what there is applies only to a very tiny fraction of women in the workplace (white, wealthy, upper management). It also doesn't really get into how to combat things like women's socialized need to be likable or the actual career consequences of ignoring that standard -- a few women may be able to excel simply by ignoring it, but most pay career penalties. It acknowledges that such things exist, but basically just says to ignore them, but if ignoring them and being penalized hurts your career, what exactly is the point? The book says in the introduction that it tackles things women can do, as opposed to societal changes. I don't think the two can be separated that cleanly, and by ignoring the needed cultural and societal changes, you pretty much just tell women to ignore the idea of having it all by...working hard to have it all despite all of the challenges the book ignores. Basically: "I hope you've got a great supportive partner, ladies, 'cause otherwise you're doomed; PS you do want kids, right?" I dunno. I can see the book's surface value, I just don't think it had any genuine substance. Bummer.