“Every group of people that has been systematically told they were supposed to play a limited role internalizes that role.” Gloria Steinem
“We have to fight against the barriers and get them out of our consciousness.” Sheryl Sandberg
Over the past few weeks Sheryl Sandberg has become a household name: She took her high-profile position at Facebook and used it to do good. She has put a spotlight on gender inequalities in the workplace and presents a strong case for why everyone should care about this problem. Sandberg quips that “men are running the world and things aren’t going so well!”
She says women should lean into reaching for higher salaries, negotiating smarter and learn to develop their power in the workforce so they get the compensation and promotions they deserve. She urges women to stop worrying about being popular and focus on what really matters…making a contribution and improving the efficiencies and profitability of their companies. The consensus amongst her cohorts is that she manages to be laid-back and genial while running a tight ship. That makes her a role model for both genders.
Sheryl exemplifies certain qualities that tend to be more dominantly viewed as feminine and makes them work for her. “She has the gift of making others feel their contribution is significant” (Two people told the Times reporter Belinda Luscombe, that she was the first to take their daughters to a farm). Her success in management comes from blending an overwhelming amount of data, with a gift in nurturing and exceptional organizational skills. She’s such a pro at what she does that others around her become inspired and want to be a pro too!
Sandberg believes in communicating honestly, argues vehemently and even cries at work but still manages to maintain her reputation as highly efficient and a master of prioritizing tasks. She teaches us not only what to do but what not to do. Sheryl has strict boundaries when it comes to asking her a question that wouldn’t be asked to a man. When she was asked in an interview about how she handles child-care duties she politely avoids the question and says, “You wouldn’t ask a man that question.”
The role modeling Sheryl Sandberg does every day at Facebook is now coming out in the open for everyone to see and for everyone to learn and benefit from. I think people will start saying (especially women who lead with dignity, grace and brilliance…I pulled a Sandberg today!). People tend to have a knee jerk criticizing Sandberg about speaking out about her career choice and views on women in the workplace. For those who have bothered to read her book, read the interviews or watched the interviews on television, it becomes immediately evident that Sheryl has a unique style that reflects both her competency and her decency. She is neither dogmatic nor apologetic. She beams with confidence without overpowering anyone. Sheryl’s pragmatism is beautifully blended with idealism and that’s what makes her message so compelling.
Sandberg never says that her way is the only way or that everyone should be a full-time career person as she is. But she does make it blatantly clear that every woman and man should persist vengeance when it comes to striving to reach for your goals, become proactive in your pursuit of fairness and not worry about how you’re being perceived as long as you’re being a mentch in your interactions with others. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, Sandberg has brilliantly branded herself as an iron leader with a soft heart and that’s what creates her appeal.Sheryl may not pursue a role in politics but her opinions are being heard and are becoming more widely accepted. What’s amazing is that she is having an impact on public policy even without holding a public office.
