4 Reasons to Quit Whining & Lean In
J.T. O'Donnell
Founder & CEO, Work It DAILY | Board of Directors, McCoy | Career & Professional Development | Job Search | HR & Recruiting | Employer Branding | Recruitment Marketing | Talent Management | Executive Coaching
Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and the first woman on their board of directors, has a new book coming out. It's about how she feels women can make different career choices that have them, as she says, “lean in” to advance professionally.
I’ve been admiring Sandberg’s focus on this issue for the last two years. I think she's spearheading a much needed discussion on how we need to change the way we structure jobs, and more specifically, recognition of contribution in the workplace. And, when I say “we,” I mean us ladies. While men currently dominate corporate America, I agree with Sandberg that women need to be the catalyst for change to create a better gender balance. That being said, there are women who don’t appreciate Sandberg’s perspective. Just read this article over at BusinessInsider to see how some quotes from the book are already stirring a heated debate.
Calling the Professional Woman’s Bluff
My observation is many women will fail to embrace the concept and “lean in” per Sandberg’s suggestions. Why? It’s easier to complain about a problem then to do something to fix it. Deep down, I think more than a few females will read Sandberg’s suggestions and think,
“I’m not sure I really want it all, but society is pressuring me to act like I do. So, it’s easier to find excuses to claim it can’t be done, then to admit I don’t want to step up and take this on.”
Sandberg’s positivity and constructive approach makes the argument that it can’t be done start to sound like whining. As more and more women step out and lean in, those who continue to argue it can’t be done may be discounted. For that reason, I’d like to offer four reasons why women should pay heed to Sandberg:
#1 – A role model you can mimic isn’t going to appear anytime soon. Waiting around for other women to figure this out won’t do you any good. If you want to have a meaningful career, you are going to need to define and create it on your own terms. Each woman is different. What works for one, won’t work for another. You need to start now on the journey to greater professional satisfaction.
#2 – When you lean in, you control of the process…and the outcome. The possibilities are endless when you realize that leaning in can let you re-define key terms like, “career,” “office hours,” “productivity,” “performance,” etc.
#3 – Men aren’t going to have a collective “Ah-ha Moment” and realize the power of optimizing the workplace for women. They don’t understand what we are thinking and feeling – and they never will. For the most part, it's futile to pressure them to relate. What’s better is to take control and show them how we are going to revamp the way we work and succeed. Show them the results, and they’ll be on board.
#4 – The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll see results. There is a very simple formula about performance that sums this up: Experience = Learn = Grow. When we start experimenting and trying new approaches in our career, we learn and grow. The more we experiment, the more information we have, and ultimately, the faster we figure out how to succeed.
I Leaned In & It Changed My Life
A decade ago, I gave myself an extreme career makeover. You can read about the process here. Without realizing it, I was taking a page from Sandberg’s approach and opted to create a satisfying career on my own terms. As a result, I don’t look at my career like most other women. I don’t compare myself to anyone else either. My only calibration for success is whether I feel satisfied. When I let go of every assumption regarding the “right” way to build a career and be a successful professional, my entire world changed. When the only person you need to impress is yourself, you'd be AMAZED at how clear you can be in your goals and how to achieve them. Trust me, if I can do it, you can too.
What do you think? Will women finally step up and lean in as Sandberg is encouraging them to?
If you want to read more of what I've written, check out my articles on Inc.com.
P.S. - First time reading my posts?Thanks for taking the time to stop by! Not only do I write for Linkedin, but I'm also founder of a popular career advice site,CAREEREALISM,and currently run the career coaching program,CareerHMO. I hope you'll check them both out!
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CAREEREALISM’s Founder, J.T. O’Donnell is a nationally syndicated career expert and workplace consultant who helps American workers of all ages find greater professional satisfaction. Her book, CAREEREALISM: The Smart Approach to a Satisfying Career, outlines her highly successful career-coaching methodology. Purchase her e-book of CAREEREALISM for only $9.95 by clicking here !
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Marketing at Key to joy (neurodiverse community / charity). Writer / Content Creator / Designer / Motion design. Award-winning Screenwriter. Neurodivergent.
8 年I very much relate. For too long I thought I could mould the right role, but I was trying to put a square peg in a round hole! I habe always had the strenght of character and experience to make a change. Since going freelance I have so much empowerment. Removing the "boss" has opened my eyes to just how much pressure I was putting on myself. It forced me to really revise my own thinking and save that energy for kicking ass on the job!
Administrative Support Professional
11 年Agree wholeheartedly about your point in getting up and doing something about a problem instead of complaining about it. After awhile, it does become whining, because you're not doing anything to solve the issue. Also loved how you talked about when you only want to impress yourself, stop worrying about what society says, everything becomes clearer. You become empowered and achieve success & happiness so much easier. Or at least that's what I took from this article. You articulated your points very well!
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Marketing Manager at Dos Santos International
11 年It's like a saying I saw the other day. "It's hard to be a woman. You must think like a man, act like a lady, look like a young girl and work like a horse." With that said, I believe the point they are trying to make is that women are already assuming they can't handle the workload they believe they'll have with a job to climb the ladder like men will. Therefore, they don't "lean in," and throw up the proverbial white flag. It's retreat before you arrive to the battle because you think your gun isn't as big as theirs even though you have a much better aim. I work with all men both single and with families. They never use the vacation days I use to take kids to the doctor, dentist or stay out sick with them. They are able to work until wee hours or have the flexibility to put in more time whereas I often have to leave at 5:30 everyday to pick kids up in time with Atlanta traffic. There is no sense in whining about it because it is what it is. I could do the same and hire a nanny to care for my children. That's not the path I choose. Doesn't mean I'm not fully engaged in what our company is doing. Doesn't mean I don't utilize my hours at the office to complete my tasks to the best of my ability. I may only put in 8 hours, but those are the best 8 hours I've got to my company and my focus is on that. I "lean in" at work and then "lean in" at home. If I'm not on my toes at all times, I won't get things accomplished. My level of success isn't based on quantity of work but quality. Don't make excuses, make results.
Personal Trainer,Exercise Physiologist. at EYE ON FITNESS PERSONAL TRAINING & REFLEXOLOGY SERVICES
11 年Any marketing positions available?