Lean In Book Summary (And Best Chapters to Read in 2025)

Lean In was published in 2013 by former COO of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg. You may wonder – is it still relevant? It is. And not just because it sparked a global conversation. Since then, Lean In has become a pop culture reference and workplace buzzword. Here is the Lean In book summary and what chapter to bookmark in 2025.

This Lean In book summary breaks down the key ideas chapter by chapter, with quotes, takeaways, and one must-read chapter if you only have time for a quick dive.

Lean In Book Summary

Lean In Book Summary (By Chapter)

Chapter 1: The Leadership Ambition Gap

Key takeaway: Women are just as ambitious as men—but we’re often socialized to be liked, not to lead.

“We hold ourselves back in ways both big and small, by lacking self-confidence, by not raising our hands, and by pulling back when we should be leaning in.”

Chapter 2: Sit at the Table

Key Takeaway: Don’t underestimate your worth. Show up. Speak up. Own your seat at the table.

“No one gets to the corner office by sitting on the side, not at the table.”

Chapter 3: Success and Likability

Key Takeaway: The more successful a woman becomes, the less she’s liked. But we can challenge that narrative.

“When a man is successful, he is liked by both men and women. When a woman is successful, people of both genders like her less.”

Chapter 4: It’s a Jungle Gym, Not a Ladder

Key Takeaway: Careers aren’t linear. You don’t need to climb—sometimes you swing sideways and that’s progress, too.

“Build your skills, not your résumé.”

Chapter 5: Are You My Mentor?

Key Takeaway: Don’t wait around for the perfect mentor to appear. Seek advice, build relationships, and add value.

“I realized that searching for a mentor has become the professional equivalent of waiting for Prince Charming.”

Chapter 6: Seek and Speak Your Truth

Key Takeaway: Honest feedback is a gift. Create space for it and learn to give it, too.

“The upside of painful knowledge is so much greater than the downside of blissful ignorance.”

Chapter 7: Don’t Leave Before You Leave

Key Takeaway: Too many women pull back before they need to—anticipating life changes like kids. Stay engaged until the moment you step away.

“Don’t enter the workforce already looking for the exit.”

Chapter 8: Make Your Partner a Real Partner

Key Takeaway: Equality at work requires equality at home. Share the responsibilities.

“A truly equal world would be one where women ran half our countries and companies and men ran half our homes.”

Chapter 9: The Myth of Doing It All

Key Takeaway: You can’t do everything perfectly all the time. And that’s okay. Perfection is not the goal.

“Done is better than perfect.”

Chapter 10: Let’s Start Talking About It

Key Takeaway: Talking about gender issues at work matters. It creates awareness, change, and opportunity.

Chapter 11: Working Together Toward Equality

Key Takeaway: This isn’t just a women’s issue—it’s a human issue. Real progress requires allies of all genders.

“In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.”

Lean In’s Best Chapters (What to Bookmark)

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If You Only Read One Chapter of Lean In, Make It This One

Chapter 2: Sit at the Table

It’s empowering, practical, and wildly relevant. If you’ve ever held yourself back from applying for a job, speaking in a meeting, or sharing a big idea—this one’s for you.

What Chapters Can You Bookmark Into 2025?

Chapter 4: It’s a Jungle Gym, Not a Ladder

In 2025, this message applies more than ever. Opportunities may unexpectedly appear, and you have to be brave enough to grab them and “swing sideways.”

What to Read Next? How to Start a Business as a Woman in 2025

Chapter 6: Seek and Speak Your Truth

Giving and receiving feedback is still a critical skill for female leaders in 2025 – embrace it and use it to catalyze your career.

Chapter 10: Let’s Start Talking About It

The conversation has evolved in 2025, but the message remains – let’s keep talking, even if the conversation has changed – it creates awareness, opportunity, and change.

What Chapter Is Missing?

While Lean In lit a fire in 2013, the world—and the conversation—has evolved. What’s missing now isn’t ambition. It’s intersectionality, burnout recovery, redefining leadership, and pushing for systemic change.

Redefining success beyond job titles and 60-hour work weeks

Leading with empathy, not just efficiency

How to lean in when you work remotely

Systemic change, and the root causes of gender inequality, such as discrimination and lack of affordable childcare, which stops women from leaning in.

Marginalized voices, this book neglects the experiences and challenges of women of color, single moms, and those with disabilities.

Who Is Sheryl Sandberg

successful women in business featuring sheryl sandberg 1

Sheryl Sandberg wrote Lean In in response to her viral TED Talk on why we have too few female leaders. Since its publication, it has become a cultural sensation. “Lean in” is often thrown around candidly in a girls’ group chat. Today, we still hear about the popular business book for women.

Sheryl Sandberg is one of the most inspiring women in business. Sandberg was the first woman to serve on Facebook’s board of directors and wants to help other women embrace their ambitions. She also founded LeanIn.Org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women achieve their goals, and created the popular networking groups for women, Lean In Circles.

Sheryl is considered a good leader because of her ability to inspire, mentor, and empower others. She’s known for setting high expectations, recognizing talent, and pushing for growth, both personally and professionally.

She is a pioneer in the feminist movement and unapologetic about her own ambitions and advancement.

Should You Still Read Lean In?

Yes—but read it with 2025 eyes.

Lean In is not a perfect book. Our lean In book summary shows a few chapters are missing in 2025. It doesn’t speak to all women’s experiences, and it’s been critiqued for a lack of intersectionality. But it started a conversation that needed to happen—and still needs to grow.

Read it. Reflect. Push it further. Then pull other women up with you.

What to Red Next? 20 Top Women in Business Podcasts That You Need to Download in 2025

FAQs About Lean In

What is the main message of Lean In?

That women should be empowered to pursue their ambitions and leadership goals—without fear or apology.

Is Lean In still relevant today?

Yes, though the conversation has evolved. It’s still a foundational read for understanding workplace gender dynamics and sparking action.

What are some key takeaways from the book Lean In?

Sit at the table
Don’t leave before you leave
Share responsibilities at home
Confidence counts
Done is better than perfect

What is the summary of the book Lean In?

Lean In explores the challenges women face in leadership, the internal and external barriers holding them back, and how we can collectively build a more equal world – starting by leaning into our own potential.

Recommended Reading: Why Women Need to Stop Playing Small in Business