Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead

The jungle gym metaphor is one that Sandberg borrows from Pattie Sellers, but she also expands on it as a symbol for career success. The core idea is that advancement at work isn't necessarily a straight line; people may switch employers (or even lines of work), accept temporary "demotions" in exchange for other opportunities, or take time off to raise a family. Similarly, climbing to the top of a jungle gym isn't the same as climbing up a ladder, and may involve moving downwards or side to side. The jungle gym metaphor is therefore a reminder that there are many paths to professional success, which, Sandberg argues, is good news for women, who may face unique challenges and setbacks at work.

Lean In makes use of multiple metaphors for having a career, allowing Sandberg to explore different aspects of professional life. The symbol of the marathon is one that she draws on while explaining how male and female experiences of their careers differ over time. Like running a marathon, pursuing a career requires determination, hard work, and endurance; however, support from onlookers can help boost runners' (i.e. professionals') motivation to finish. With that in mind, Sandberg asks us to imagine a marathon where spectators cheer on and encourage male participants while constantly reminding female participants that racing is difficult and unnecessary:

'You know you don't have to do this!' the crowd shouts. Or 'Good start—but you probably won't want to finish.' The farther the marathoners run, the louder the cries grow for the men: 'Keep going! You've got this!' But the women hear more and more doubts about their efforts. External voices, and often their own internal voice, repeatedly question their decision to keep running. The voices can even grow hostile. As the women struggle to endure the rigors of the race, spectators shout, 'Why are you running when your children need you at home?' (100).

All of this, Sandberg says, is analogous to the way in which society pressures women (especially mothers) to drop out of the workforce.

Like "leaning in," "sitting at the table" is a metaphor Sandberg uses to encourage women to make the most of their careers. First and foremost, it suggests being present and attentive—an active participant in whatever professional opportunities arise. It also calls to mind several expressions that evoke the kind of creativity and negotiation that are important in the workplace: "bringing something to the table," the "bargaining table," etc. Just as she does with the leaning in metaphor, however, Sandberg ultimately broadens the symbol of the table to include the domestic sphere, arguing that "We need more men to sit at the table…the kitchen table" (120).

Sandberg frequently refers to her family history, and also includes numerous anecdotes from her experiences as a wife and mother. In part, this is a way of appealing to readers on an emotional level, as well as a reminder of the ways in which our personal and professional lives intersect. However, Sandberg also uses the motif of family to illustrate the importance of role models; she credits her own ambition, for instance, in part to the precedent set by her mother and grandmother's successes, and cites research suggesting that children often reproduce their parents' gender roles when they grow up and establish families of their own.