Book Pick: Lean In - Sheryl Sandberg (Part III)

Just finished reading Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In.  Given it has almost the same level of following in my industry as say, Fifty Sades of Grey or Twilight did in the UK as a whole I was almost embarrassed to be reading it.  That combined with it's topic of feminism lead me to remove the dust cover to keep it anonymous...

However, really I should have read it with pride.  1) it is a very enjoyable read 2) makes a number of impactful points 3) who cares what other people on the bus think, if they want to judge me by my book choice, then feel free (I am a bit of a feminist anyway!).

I have already written 2 blog entries on this which can be found here and here.  Below are the additional points that stood out for me:

• One study showed that women are 80% more likely to get promoted if they have a mentor.

• As an employee you have to decide where you draw the line with regards to work.  The employer will likely always ask more of you, so it is important to decide what your limit is and be clear about it.

• Always look for areas / business that are growing, this is where career progression will be best.

Lean In - Sheryl Sandberg (Part II)

Here are 2 more points that I think are particularly inspiration from Sheryl Sandberg's:

• Done is better than perfect.

• What would you do if you were not afraid.

Lean In - Sheryl Sandberg (Part I)

I am part way through reading Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In - it will no doubt doubt form part of a later blog entry as a "Book Pick" but for now I just want to note down some of the things that have stuck with me so far:

• Rather than telling an organisation what your skills are and why they should hire you, try asking "what is your biggest problem and how can I help you solve it".

• She says "as sappy as it sounds I hoped to change the world".  This is exactly how I feel, and I think it is a very positive motivator in my life.   It drives me, energises me and keeps me believing that 1 person can have a big impact.  Naive, yes but definitely very positive.

• Never ask "will you be my mentor" as this is awkward and the mentor relationship needs to be natural.  Instead be prepared, ask good questions (ie not things you could google) and follow up afterwards to tell the person how their advice impacted you.  Something I found interesting was her thoughts on who she likes to mentor, people she thinks have potential and people who she thinks she could offer a lot to in terms of advice.