Top Quotes by Sheryl Sandberg on Resilience & Career Growth
Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta (Facebook) and founder of Lean In, is one of the most influential voices in leadership and women’s empowerment. Her insights on resilience and career growth have inspired millions to overcome setbacks, embrace leadership, and pursue professional fulfillment. Here are some of her most impactful quotes.
1. “Done is better than perfect.”
A reminder that action and progress matter more than perfectionism.
2. “We cannot change what we are not aware of, and once we are aware, we cannot help but change.”
Highlighting the role of self-awareness in personal and professional growth.
3. “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”
A definition of leadership rooted in empowerment and long-term influence.
4. “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”
Encouraging professionals to step out of their comfort zones.
5. “Careers are a jungle gym, not a ladder.”
Her famous metaphor on navigating nonlinear career paths.
6. “Option A is not available. So let’s just kick the s* out of Option B.”**
A resilient mindset for adapting to change and moving forward after setbacks.
7. “Motivation comes from working on things we care about. It also comes from working with people we care about.”
Underscoring the importance of purpose and relationships in career success.
8. “We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, and make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded.”
A call for gender diversity and inclusion in leadership.
9. “Taking initiative pays off. It is hard to visualize someone as a leader if she is always waiting to be told what to do.”
Emphasizing proactivity as a leadership quality.
10. “Lean in: what would you do if you weren’t afraid?”
Her signature message encouraging bold career moves.
Why These Quotes Matter
Sheryl Sandberg’s insights encourage professionals to take ownership of their careers, embrace resilience, and lead with empathy. For those navigating modern workplaces, her words serve as both inspiration and a call to action.
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Ian Khan The Futurist
Ian Khan is a Theoretical Futurist and researcher specializing in emerging technologies. His new book Undisrupted will help you learn more about the next decade of technology development and how to be part of it to gain personal and professional advantage. Pre-Order a copy https://amzn.to/4g5gjH9
You are enjoying this content on Ian Khan's Blog. Ian Khan, AI Futurist and technology Expert, has been featured on CNN, Fox, BBC, Bloomberg, Forbes, Fast Company and many other global platforms. Ian is the author of the upcoming AI book "Quick Guide to Prompt Engineering," an explainer to how to get started with GenerativeAI Platforms, including ChatGPT and use them in your business. One of the most prominent Artificial Intelligence and emerging technology educators today, Ian, is on a mission of helping understand how to lead in the era of AI. Khan works with Top Tier organizations, associations, governments, think tanks and private and public sector entities to help with future leadership. Ian also created the Future Readiness Score, a KPI that is used to measure how future-ready your organization is. Subscribe to Ians Top Trends Newsletter Here