Sheryl Sandberg: Breaking Barriers in Tech Leadership
What happens when you mix brilliant business sense with a passion for helping others? You get Sheryl Sandberg, one of tech's most influential leaders. As Facebook's (now Meta's) former Chief Operating Officer (CEO), she didn't just help build a social media giant – she sparked a worldwide conversation about women in leadership.
From Harvard to Silicon Valley
Sandberg's journey didn't start in tech. Born in 1969 in Washington D.C., she was a standout student who topped her economics class at Harvard. After earning her MBA, she worked everywhere from McKinsey & Company to the U.S. Treasury Department. Sandberg then joined the tech industry when she became Vice President of Global Online Sales and Operations at Google. But it was a chance meeting with Mark Zuckerberg at a Christmas party that changed everything. In 2008, she joined Facebook as COO and later became its first female board member.
Thanks to her Facebook stock options, Sandberg is one of the 172 female billionaires in the world today.
The Lean In Movement: From Book to Global Foundation
When Sandberg published "Lean In" in 2013, she did more than write a bestseller – she started a revolution. Frustrated by seeing so few women in top leadership roles, she launched the Lean In Foundation (now LeanIn.Org) to turn her book's message into real-world change.
The foundation's impact has been remarkable. By 2023, it had helped create over 50,000 Lean In Circles in 184 countries, where women meet regularly to support each other's goals. These circles range from college students to corporate executives, all sharing one aim: helping women advance in their careers. The foundation also partners with companies like Goldman Sachs and Walmart to improve workplace policies and fight gender bias.
But the foundation has faced its share of criticism. Some argue it focuses too much on individual actions rather than tackling systemic barriers like unequal pay and discrimination. Others point out that its message of "leaning in" assumes women have the resources and support to prioritize career advancement. Despite these challenges, the foundation has evolved. It now addresses issues like racial equity and the impact of COVID-19 on working women, showing that sometimes the best way to create change is to keep listening and adapting.
The TED Talk That Started a Movement
Before "Lean In" became a global phenomenon, there was a 15-minute talk that changed the conversation about women in leadership. In December 2010, Sandberg took the TED stage with a simple but powerful message: we're facing a crisis of female leadership, and it's time to talk about why.
Speaking with both hard data and personal stories, Sandberg shared what would become her signature blend of insight and vulnerability. She told the story of her young daughter clinging to her leg before a business trip, and how she struggled with the guilt many working mothers face. But she also delivered eye-opening statistics: only 20% of top leadership positions were held by women, a number that hadn't moved much in years.
The talk's most memorable moment came when Sandberg described how women often "leave before they leave" – scaling back their ambitions in anticipation of having a family, even years before they do. "Don't leave before you leave," she urged. "Keep your foot on the gas pedal until the very day you need to leave."
More Than Just Business Success
While Sandberg helped turn Facebook into a money-making machine, she's best known for starting an important conversation. In 2013, she wrote "Lean In," a book that asked a simple but powerful question: why do we see so few women leaders? The book became a movement, leading to thousands of "Lean In Circles" – small groups where women support each other's goals.
Leadership Lessons from Sandberg
1. Keep Your Options Open
Sandberg says careers aren't like ladders – they're more like jungle gyms. You can move up, down, or sideways. "I never thought I'd work in tech," she admits. But by staying open to new possibilities, she found unexpected ways to make a difference.
2. Make an Impact
Growing up, Sandberg learned the importance of helping others – her family actively helped Jewish refugees from the Soviet Union. This drive to make a difference shaped her career choices and led her to use her success to help other women succeed.
3. Handle Criticism Like a Pro
When "Lean In" came out, not everyone was a fan. Some said she was out of touch with regular working women. Instead of getting defensive, Sandberg listened and acknowledged her privileges while focusing on her main goal: helping women aim higher.
In Her Own Words
Here are some of Sandberg's most powerful quotes:
"Your life's course will not be determined by doing the things that you are certain you can do. Those are the easy things. It will be determined by whether you try the things that are hard."
"Leadership is not bullying... Leadership is the expectation that you can use your voice for good. That you can make the world a better place."
Making a Lasting Impact
In 2014, Fortune magazine named her one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business (#10). Sandberg's story teaches us that true leadership isn't just about climbing to the top – it's about helping others climb with you. Through her work at Facebook/Meta and the Lean In Foundation, she's shown that success means more when it opens doors for others.
Whether you're starting your career or leading a team, Sandberg's message is clear: stay open to opportunities, work hard for what matters, and use your success to lift others up. That's what real leadership looks like.
Article Originally written on September 4. 2016