What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedLean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
Sheryl Sandberg · Book · 2013
If you loved Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, start with Lessons from Leaders by YourStory — a podcast on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead across media.
If you valued the call to action in Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, you will appreciate these stories of navigating professional barriers.
Films on the same thread

Lean On Me
John G. Avildsen · Film · 1989
Explores: Urban Education, Redemption, Authoritarian Leadership.
Like the bold leadership strategies advocated in Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, this film highlights the transformative power of taking charge in an institutional environment.

Nine to Five
Colin Higgins · Film · 1980
Shares a thread with Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead: Female Empowerment.
This film explores the same themes of female empowerment and workplace rebellion found in Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by confronting toxic corporate power dynamics.

Working Girl
Mike Nichols · Film · 1988
Shares a thread with Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead: Female empowerment.
This story echoes the ambition and corporate navigation described in Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, showing how persistence can overcome systemic obstacles to professional success.

The Intern
Nancy Meyers · Film · 2015
Explores: Ageism, Mentorship, Work-Life Balance.
This film examines the modern workplace dynamics and mentorship opportunities that are central to the career development advice offered throughout Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead.
Series on the same thread

30 Rock
Tina Fey · Series · 2006
Explores: Corporate Culture, Absurd Humor, New York City.
Liz Lemon navigates the corporate culture and complex workplace egos that readers of Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead will recognize as classic challenges for ambitious women.

Lessons in Chemistry
Lee Eisenberg · Series · 2023
Explores: Gender Inequality, Scientific Ambition, Social Conformity.
Elizabeth Zott faces the same gender inequality and social conformity that Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead seeks to dismantle through its call for systemic change.

Shark Tank
Mark Burnett · Series · 2009
Explores: Business Pitches, Venture Capital, American Dream.
The competitive spirit and focus on self-made success in this series mirror the emphasis on ambition and career growth found in Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead.

Prime Suspect
Lynda La Plante · Series · 1991
Shares a thread with Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead: Ambition.
Jane Tennison battles the exact workplace discrimination and male-dominated environments that Sandberg addresses in Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead as barriers to female leadership.
Podcasts on the same thread

Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast
Life.Church · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Mentorship, Team Dynamics, Professional Growth.
This podcast provides the same practical leadership coaching and professional growth insights that readers of Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead rely on for career development.
Lessons from Leaders by YourStory
Podcast
Shares a thread with Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead: career advice.
These interviews with top leaders offer the same focus on developing a leadership mindset as outlined in Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead for aspiring professionals.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead based on a specific presentation?
Yes, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead expands upon the themes discussed in Sheryl Sandberg's famed TED talk. That talk, which explores how women unintentionally hold themselves back in their careers, has been viewed more than eleven million times.
What is the primary goal of Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead?
Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead serves as a blueprint for individual growth. The book acts as a manifesto and a call to action intended to empower women around the world to achieve their full potential in the workplace.
Is Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead considered a successful publication?
Yes, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead is a number one international bestseller. The New York Times described the 2013 book as a landmark manifesto and a revelatory, inspiring call to action for women in the professional sphere.
Does Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead address career obstacles?
Yes, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead addresses how women unintentionally hold themselves back in their careers. The book provides a blueprint for growth and serves as a call to action to help women reach their full potential.