Before you watch

Long before Sheryl Sandberg left Google to join Facebook as its Chief Operating Ofcer in 2008, she was a fan. Today she manages Facebook’s sales, marketing, business development, human resources, public policy and communications.

While you watch

While watching, pay attention to the following words and expressions in context. Use them in your answers to the questions below and discussion.


underestimate abilities

attribute success to

negotiate for yourself

likeability

lean back


After you watch

Answer the questions:

1. What problems do women face today in the world of business?

2. How can these problems be tackled?

3. What does Sheryl mean by saying that women should “sit at the table”?

4. What examples does she cite to show that women tend to underestimate their abilities?

5. How does thinking about having a baby prevent women from job promotion?

6. Is Sheryl optimistic or pessimistic about leadership prospects of women?

Discuss in pairs:

  1. Why are there so few women leaders in business, politics, diplomacy? Do you think this situation will change in the future?
  • Roleplay a dialogue:

Student A: you strongly believe that women can’t make good leaders.

Student B: you are sure that women leaders can be very efficient.