Lean Out: The Truth About Women, Power, and the Workplace

Description

Lean Out offers contrarian, often humorous insights to this critical global dialogue and provides a pathway for both individuals and companies to promote a more inclusive workplace that benefits all employees. After Marissa Orr, a single mother of three, spent fifteen years working at today's top tech giants like Facebook and Google, she became frustrated with the companies' efforts to promote more women. The lectures, workshops, and trainings delivered the subtle message that success requires adopting the behavior of her male colleagues. Orr realized that closing the gender gap in corporate America won't improve women's lives, because the goal stems from a male worldview, built on the premise of female inferiority-and that's why the numbers at the top have barely budged, despite thirty years of trying. Based on in-depth research and eye-opening personal experiences, author and tech industry veteran Marissa Orr explains: Why our pursuit to close the gender gap has come at the expense of female well-being. The need to reexamine the business world's paradigm of a "successful leader". How greater diversity in corporate leadership will foster healthier work environments that benefit both women and men. Orr's revolutionary message is resonating with women, who are fed up with the status quo and ready to define success on their own terms.

Marissa Orr spent 15 years working at today's top tech giants, Google and Facebook. She has conducted talks for thousands of people in the US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, at companies and universities such as Google, Twitter, Pace University, New School, American Express, and more. Originally from Miami, Orr received her Masters degree in Decision and Information Sciences from the University of Florida.

'Marissa's refreshing voice about systemic cognitive bias and the mental limitations holding women back--while supporting maleness--rings true with well-researched, commonsense insights that speak to the experiences of women in corporate America. . . . The ideas presented here for driving change are powerful, clear, and actionable. This book is a must read for insights on the impact that reversing systemic gender biases can have on creating more diverse, healthier workplaces for both women and men.' --Joanne Harell, Senior Director, USA Citizenship, Microsoft 'For the first time in a long time, I finally read a book that states clear facts around the gender issues, with sound research backing the assumptions, in a simple way for men and women to comprehend. This book should be read by leaders of all types, as it provides a fresh perspective on valuing oneself without shame or blame, while preparing the reader for the corporate ladder.' --Dr. Betty Uribe, Executive Vice President, California Bank and amp; Trust and author of #Values: The Secret to Top Level Performance in Business and Life 'Lean Out is a highly readable book that has 'leaned in' and listened to many--and maybe the majority of--women in the workplace. Many, many women will proclaim, 'Finally, an honest book that gets me, who I am, where I am, where I'm trying to get to, and the myriad of roadblocks stopping me.' If you're a working woman, read it to feel validated and less alone and uplifted in your struggle.' --Mark Goulston, author of Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone 'This book will make you think differently about what it will take for women to succeed in American business, by exploding myth after myth with cogent arguments and simple common sense.' --Rishad Tobaccowala, Chief Growth Officer, Publicis Groupe 'I wish I had the clarity I found in Lean Out earlier in my career. This book is a game changer and a must read for every young woman (and man) starting their career.' --Ali Spain, Executive Director, Microsoft Alumni Network