Comments on: Does Sandberg Let Corporations Continue Discrimination Against Women?

By: Luke Visconti

Luke Visconti — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:22:41 +0000

Exactly. The women and/or non-white people who have achieved spots of power "leaned in" far more than the white men at the same level. Only a chump continues to play a game that's rigged. Luke Visconti, CEO, DiversityInc

By: Paulie

Paulie — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:44:19 +0000

This is really simple. While Luke is talking about reality. Others are talking about the way things should be. Give me reality any day.

If all it took was “leaning in”, don’t we think more women (and miniorities) would be where they should be?

It’ll take way more than leaning in to rise where the powers that be have absolutely. no. intention. of. allowing. you. to. do. so.

If you don’t see the likes of you already there, chances are very great you are not what they envision as belonging there.

So wake up, smell the coffee, and before too many frustrating and demoralizing years go by, go where the door is open and people (demonstratively) put their money where their mouths are.

By: Judy Jaeger

Judy Jaeger — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 19:14:44 +0000

I agree with Sandberg’s urging for women to control the part they have control over – their own perspective and ambition and not to settle for less than they want for themselves. But that is only one part of the equation. I am concerned that once again, the solution to the ‘problem’ is for women to fix themselves without the responsibility for organizations to examine the barriers and uneven playing field they create for women (and others who don’t ‘fit’ mainstream). Clearly both need to be honest and show effort to change the status quo.

By: Barbara Frankel

Barbara Frankel — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:49:26 +0000

There's nothing wrong with women advocating for themselves—although very few have the educational and financial advantages Sandberg has to ease that path. But 13 years of studying workplace inequities and looking at the progress (or lack of progress) of thousands of companies show us that without directives from the top and firm goals and plans to increase representation, little or no progress is made. Women can do everything right—including all of the techniques Sandberg advocates—and NOTHING will happen. Barbara Frankel, Senior Vice President and Executive Editor, DiversityInc

By: Jose Garcia

Jose Garcia — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:40:36 +0000

Barbara,

I agree Corporate has a way to go. But coming from Sandberg’s Point of View, you can’t control an institution to change (yet). You can’t convince the government to further mandate change (yet). If we look at the heart of her idea; women owning and advocating what they want and explaining why they get, wouldn’t that better influence corporations when their own workforces ask for it, especially if those workforces are the treasured talent of the firm?

I think the goal of corporate getting there (offering the environment to avoid compromise) is the same, but Sheryl knows, 10 years of trying and little progress, it may be better to do it grassroots instead of top down.

By: Robyn Snyder

Robyn Snyder — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:26:33 +0000

Sandberg article,

Unfortunately, no one is addressing the issue of the spouse. Lucky she has a supportive spouse who is willing to be without her, without considering having an affair, and or even helping with any housework, laundry, kids, dogs etc. Until mothers train their sons that they need to help around the house and not be part of the problem then I don’t see things changing unless you make tons of money and can afford to have a full time maid and Nanny. Also if you are constantly on travel who is actually raising your kids, and the husband says out of sight out of mind. She must be pretty lucky to have found the perfect husband, but I can tell you that when I come back from even a week of travel, the house is a total wreck, and I have to pick up, clean up on top of unpacking and doing laundry. I would say that I don’t see the role of women as the primary care giver changing anytime soon, and only those who decide to take the career path over the family path is going to get to the top..not to mention you better be brillant and not just smart. She was brillant going to Harvard..so let’s get real here..we are talking about an elite group of women. Most women would be happy if they could just get paid the same as their male counterparts and get promoted just as often.

By: Jane Mobley

Jane Mobley — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:14:58 +0000

Thank you, Barbara Frankel, for writing from the longer view.

For ones of us who started careers in the early 1970s, nurtured businesses (our own and others’) and family (children, parents, relatives, grandchildren), and colleagues, and faced the vicissitudes of life (fire, wind, flood, accident, illness, economic boom-and-bust) and now have the perspective of four decades as working women, “leaning in” seems the least of it. I’d say “working on” is the triumph.