own
observations, and lessons I have learned along the way.

This book is not a memoir, although I have included stories about my life. It is not a self-help book,
although I truly hope it helps. It is not a book on career management, although I offer advice in that
area. It is not a feminist manifesto—okay, it is sort of a feminist manifesto, but one that I hope inspires
men as much as it inspires women.

Whatever this book is, I am writing it for any woman who wants to increase her chances of making
it to the top of her field or pursue any goal vigorously. This includes women at all stages of their lives
and careers, from those who are just starting out to those who are taking a break and may want to
jump back in. I am also writing this for any man who wants to understand what a woman —a
colleague, wife, mother, or daughter—is up against so that he can do his part to build an equal world.

This book makes the case for leaning in, for being ambitious in any pursuit. And while I believe that
increasing the number of women in positions of power is a necessary element of true equality, I do not
believe that there is one definition of success or happiness. Not all women want careers. Not all

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women want children. Not all women want both. I would never advocate that we should all have the
same objectives. Many people are not interested in acquiring power, not because they lack ambition,
but because they are living their lives as they desire. Some of the most important contributions to our
world are made by caring for one person at a time. We each have to chart our own unique course and
define which goals fit our lives, values, and dreams.

I am also acutely aware that the vast majority of women are struggling to make ends meet and take
care of their families. Parts of this book will be most relevant to women fortunate enough to have
choices about how much and when and where to work; other parts apply to situations that women face
in every workplace, within every community, and in every home. If we can succeed in adding more
female voices at the highest levels, we will expand opportunities and extend fairer treatment to all.

Some, especially other women in business, have cautioned me about speaking out publicly on these
issues. When I have spoken out anyway, several of my comments have upset people of both genders. I
know some believe that by focusing on what women can change themselves—pressing them to lean
in—it seems like I am letting our institutions off the hook. Or even worse, they accuse me of blaming
the victim. Far from blaming the victim, I believe that female leaders are key to the solution. Some
critics will also point out that it is much easier for me to lean in, since my financial resources allow me
to afford any help I need. My intention is to offer advice that would have been useful to me long
before I had heard of Google or Facebook and that will resonate with women in a broad range of
circumstances.

I have heard these criticisms in the past and I know that I will hear them—and others—in the future.
My hope is that my message will be judged on its merits. We can’t avoid this conversation. This issue
transcends all of us. The time is long overdue to encourage more women to dream the possible dream
and encourage more men to support women in the workforce and in the home.

We can reignite the revolution by internalizing the revolution. The shift to a more equal world will
happen person by person. We move closer to the larger goal of true equality with each woman who ○本○作○品○由○○網○提○供○下○載○與○在○線○閱○讀○
leans in.

















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