Why every female cardiologist should read 'Lean In'

I’ve finally been able to read Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. I had already heard her on the news, seen her on television and read reviews of her book, and I thought that I had heard little that would help me. I also found it quite interesting that all the interviews related to her book were conducted by women, never by men (none that I saw anyway). So, part of me felt that this was a conversation among women only, and I feel this conversation needs to involve men as well. But that has nothing to do with this very well-written and thought-provoking book, and certainly the author did not decide who would interview her.

Once I accepted that, I decided to read the book and I am very glad I did. For all working women, this book provides a provocative and thoughtful guide to achieve success. Like business, the cardiology field remains male-dominated. Particularly at the leadership level, there are more male cardiologists holding such positions than women, with even greater gender discrepancy than seen in the business world. Ms. Sandberg’s book is about the need for women to take it upon themselves to strive for leadership roles in the workplace. Her advice and the barriers holding women back apply to women in the cardiology field who want to advance and become leaders in this field.

I think it is important for others to read this book, come up with their own opinions and see what they can take away from her it. However, I was happy that she made the following points clear:

Ms. Sandberg voices what many of us are thinking: It is not wrong for women to be ambitious.
Women need to believe in themselves.
Women need to accept compliments when they are given.
Women deserve and should ask for respect.
Women must negotiate.
We need more women at the highest levels to act as strong and powerful voices for other women.
There is nothing wrong with being a feminist in any world if it means supporting equal opportunities for men and women.
Women need to sit at the table. Without this, our voices will never be heard. So, lean in to be visible and to be heard.

This book has initiated the conversation in a very public form, but we have been having these conversations for some time in the cardiology field within the Women In Cardiology (WIC) circles. Many women in cardiology do desire leadership roles but don’t always know how to get there.

After returning from our American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions in San Francisco, what I still notice at our meetings is that, at the leadership levels, there are always very few women. When such meetings are organized, there are too few women invited to lead the sessions, organize the sessions or even speak (although to be fair, percentage-wise, there are less women in the field of cardiology than men). But, even in most academic and clinical practices, the divisions of cardiology are usually run by men and leadership positions are less likely to be given to women.

So how do we change this? I don’t know if this book has all the answers, but it certainly is a great guide for women who desire more out of their careers. And ultimately, I believe the change has to come from women themselves because no one will just hand us the lead if we don’t reach for it. Nonetheless, this book should be of interest to men, too, especially men who care about the women in their lives and men who are also struggling with their own issues relating to gender stereotypes that may be limiting their own professional options. When we discuss “Women’s Issues” at our university in the College of Medicine, I cannot even begin to count the number of men who are at these events who tell me: “These are not just women’s issues; these are life issues for us as well.”

This book provides some constructive tools and advice that can help women achieve success, both at work and at home. We need to know what we want. We have to force the issue. We have to make it clear that we want to not just be at the table but at the head of the table. So, let’s lean in and start to move forward.