Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead

(Although Fred would caution my son to take out the “but” and everything after, since it tends to deny the preceding statement.

Once the facilitator taught me The Ask—how to speak up and demonstrate clearly how my contributions justified recognition—I was promoted and then went on to double my salary and bonuses within three years.

Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post, believes that learning to withstand criticism is a necessity for women.

Every so often, Clara would contact me, always with an interesting point or a thoughtful question. She never asked to get together to “catch up.” She never asked a question that she could have found the answer to on her own.

Career progression often depends upon taking risks and advocating for oneself—traits

“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”

stretch assignments and take on high-visibility projects,

I try to set more personal goals for learning new skills in the next eighteen months. It’s often painful, but I ask myself, “How can I improve?” If I am afraid to do something, it is usually because I am not good at it or perhaps am too scared even to try.

opportunities are rarely offered; they’re seized.