Women Only?

by Yoram Samets

I just finished reading Sheryl Sandberg's new book Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead.  While reviewers and critics argue about its content and the author's intentions, I believe that every person, father, husband, boyfriend, and son should read this book. While many women are tuned in to the issues raised, men are miles away from being on the same channel. The more "enlightened" the man, the bigger the challenge for them to open up enough to see -- to really see -- and to feel the issues.

The data presented in the book clearly reinforces how indoctrinated we are to gender stereotypes, how blind we are to how we men (and women, too) create and support the gender status quo. The data and the stories were like 2x4's hitting me in the head, pulling me out of myself, helping me to identify areas that I need to "lean in" to. Our business needs to lean in -- to participate, be engaged.

As a man reading this book, my biggest takeaway was the need for us to take responsibility, cultural responsibility, for creating a level playing field for everyone and strengthen all of our lives. The inequities that are brought up are focused on women, yet that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to our biases. Gender, sexuality, race, religion and economics are deep dividers in our culture, businesses and Jewish community. We can play a leading role in shifting the landscape. Sandberg speaks about leaning in, taking a seat at the table and "seeking challenges, taking risks and pursuing goals with gusto".  Jewish organizations have a responsibility to "lean in," to undertake the cultural challenges that are driving the inequity that Sandberg writes about, as well as other cultural barriers that disempower so many.  This is good for all of us -- now, more than ever.

Sandberg's book provided me with the opportunity to reflect on myself, my family, our company, our clients organizations. I look forward to "leaning in" to the challenges ahead. Creating a more authentic and honorable place from which to grow (personally and professionally) and contribute to the diversity that will make our company stronger and more successful in support of the Jewish community.