Sheryl Sandberg highlighted the severe underrepresentation of women in top leadership positions globally, with only 9 out of 190 heads of state being women and women comprising only 13% of parliamentarians and 15-16% of C-level and board seats.
Sheryl Sandberg shared three key messages: sit at the table, make your partner a real partner, and don't leave before you leave.
Sheryl Sandberg discussed research showing women systematically underestimate their abilities, are less likely to negotiate their first salaries, and face a "likability penalty" where success and likability are negatively correlated for women.
Sheryl Sandberg expressed hope that future generations can achieve 50% women leaders, which she believes would create a better world where both her son and daughter have the choice to contribute fully in the workforce or at home.
Meeting Notes:
The Challenge of Women at the Top
According to Sheryl Sandberg, women are severely underrepresented at the top levels across professions globally:
Only 9 out of 190 heads of state are women
Only 13% of parliamentarians globally are women
Women in top C-level jobs and board seats tops out at 15-16% with no improvement since 2002
Women face harder choices between professional success and personal fulfillment:
A U.S. study showed two-thirds of married senior male managers had children, while only one-third of married senior female managers had children
Sheryl Sandberg shared an anecdote visiting a New York private equity office where she realized she was the only woman who had completed a deal in that office in the past year, highlighting the lack of women at the top
Three Key Messages
Sit at the table
Make your partner a real partner
Don't leave before you leave
Sitting at the Table
Sheryl Sandberg emphasizes the importance of women taking a seat at the table, not sitting on the side
Recounts a story from college where her high-performing female roommate felt she didn't articulate the main points well, while her less-engaged brother got the top grade
Research shows:
Women systematically underestimate their own abilities compared to men
57% of men negotiate their first salary, while only 7% of women do
Men tend to attribute success to their own abilities, while women attribute it to external factors
The Likability Penalty for Successful Women
Research shows that for men, success and likability are positively correlated, but for women they are negatively correlated
Sheryl Sandberg discusses the "Heidi/Howard" case study at Harvard:
Students viewed the competent female entrepreneur "Heidi" as less likable compared to the equally competent male "Howard"
Encouraging Women to Advocate for Themselves
Sheryl Sandberg acknowledges it's difficult to simply tell women to "believe in yourself" and advocate for themselves, given the double standards and sacrifices they face
She recounts a story of a young woman who noticed Sheryl Sandberg called on more men than women during her talk, highlighting how hard it is for women to advocate
Women Opting Out Too Early
Sheryl Sandberg notes that women often start "leaning back" and opting out of opportunities earlier than necessary, even before having children
She encourages women to keep their "foot on the gas pedal" and not make decisions too far in advance, especially around having children
Making decisions too early, even subconsciously, can lead to missing out on promotions and growth opportunities
Creating a Better World with More Women Leaders
Sheryl Sandberg expresses hope that future generations can achieve 50% women leaders, which she believes would create a better world
She wants both her son and daughter to have the choice to contribute fully in the workforce or at home