Naomi Cahn highlights why the 'lean in' philosophy doesn’t always yield results in our competitive economy.
Over a decade ago, Sheryl Sandberg's 'Lean In' became a bestseller, urging women to pursue power and draw strength from each other’s experiences. As a mother of two when she penned the book, Sandberg promoted the idea that you can have it all if you're determined enough.
It's clear that the book made an impact—more than 10 percent of Fortune 500 companies are now led by women for the first time in its history, as seen here.
However, many women are now reevaluating the 'lean in' mindset, which places the onus on them rather than addressing broader societal and economic challenges. They're also contemplating whether they truly want to pursue it all.
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Cahn has dedicated her career to examining ways to dismantle the barriers women face professionally and how feminist principles relate to legal frameworks. Her recent book, co-authored with June Carbone and Nancy Levit, titled Fair Shake: Women And The Fight To Build A Just Economy, investigates how the 'winner-takes-all' economy perpetuates economic disparities among women.
“We refer to the 'winner-take-all economy' to illustrate the significant shift that allows those at the top to claim a disproportionate share of resources,” Cahn explains. “This competitive environment often results in negative outcomes, especially as internal workplace rivalries intensify, pushing women out.”
This trend is particularly noticeable in the financial sector, where the focus has shifted from overall company performance to individual financial gains. The mindset has changed from 'my company offers superior products' to 'my bonus is higher,' a framework that many women find challenging to navigate.
While transforming this system won't happen overnight, Cahn suggests actionable steps to improve our surroundings. She emphasizes the importance of building a support network of allies and mentors, both in and out of the workplace. If faced with a situation at work that conflicts with your values, she advises reaching out to your network to find a better fit instead of compromising your integrity.
In our Mailbag segment, we hear from a listener feeling burned out in healthcare, concerned about leaving her already overstretched colleagues, and Jean’s daughter Julia addresses a listener’s query about finding career-focused friends.
