"Penche-toi"

When we talk about "leaning in," it’s really about embracing opportunities with everything you've got. It means getting involved fully, pushing past doubts and taking active steps towards your goals. Originally popularized by Sheryl Sandberg in her book "Lean In," this phrase encourages particularly women to go after their ambitions in the workplace and beyond. Sandberg’s message struck a chord because it called out the subtle—and not so subtle—barriers women face in advancing their careers and the ways we can counteract them.

Think back to when Sandberg’s book came out in 2013. The corporate world was (and still is, in many ways) a tough place for women. The idea was to inspire them not to hold back from opportunities due to fear or societal pressure. Sandberg herself was a successful executive at Facebook, so she had firsthand experience of the challenges. She wanted to share that if women leaned in more, they could break through those invisible barriers.

Imagine you're in a meeting. You’ve got this brilliant idea, but you’re hesitating. Maybe you're worried it’s not good enough, or that you’ll be judged. But what if you leaned in? You raise your hand, voice your thought. Turns out, your idea is exactly what the project needed. That’s leaning in—taking a chance, stepping up even when you’re not 100% sure.

Let’s take a real-life example. Think of someone like Serena Williams. She’s not just a tennis legend because she’s talented. Serena continually leans into her career, whether it's training harder, returning to the sport after becoming a mom, or voicing her opinions on social issues. She doesn’t shy away from the challenges or let doubts hold her back. She dives right in, fully committed.

So, how can you apply this in your own life? Start by recognizing those moments when you’re holding back. Next time you’re in a meeting, don’t wait for someone else to speak up if you’ve got something valuable to add. If there’s a project you want to lead, raise your hand. It’s about pushing through that initial hesitation and going for it.

Let’s make this more relatable. Picture this: You're at a crossroads in your career. You’ve been offered a promotion, but it comes with more responsibilities and you’re not sure you’re ready. Think about your goals and what you want to achieve. Remember the times you’ve succeeded when you took a risk. Now, lean in. Accept the promotion. Show yourself and others what you’re capable of.

In essence, leaning in is about empowerment. It’s about taking control and seizing the moment rather than waiting for the perfect time or the perfect confidence. It's about betting on yourself, even if you’re unsure of the outcome. So next time you’re facing an opportunity or a challenge, remember to lean in. You've got this.