The Achievements of Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg

Sheryl Sandberg American business woman extraordinaire and COO of facebook is a resource of passion on women’s drive or lack thereof, for advancement and leadership in the field of technology. On November 10, 2011, during her speech at the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, Stanburge proclaimed that, “I have never worked for a woman”. Stanburge also stated that she has never worked with a lot of women.

A look at Sandberg’s work history gives a better understanding of her position on this issue. She has worked for former States Secretary of the Treasury Larry Summers as Chief of Staff, during the tenure of President Bill Clinton. Other major job roles include working for Google in the capacity of vice president where she managed the online global sales. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, her role includes overseeing sales, marketing, business development, human resources, public policy and communications.

Ranked as one of the top business women in America, Sandberg plays the role of an advisor to aspiring business women. She is of the view that women do not take enough risk and that as women we will not be able to achievement as much as men until we close the ambition gap. Sandberg took a huge risk in joining facebook. Many thought she was crazy to leave Google and become the employee of a 23 year old on a business venture that was not even established. Her achievements at facebook as been nothing short of phenomenal and has gained her even more recognition. She has taken the site from just being a social to a profitable advertising giant for businesses all over the world.

Stereotyping in the family setting plays a major role in how women progress in the world of business. This view is also shared by Sandberg who believes that women should believe in themselves more. Sandberg shared that the major reasons women give for not going into the field of computing is because they hold the view that women do not go into computing. She believes that if there were more women in positions of power there would be harder or less common for women in these positions to be hated. Women tend to limit themselves and how far they excel based on when they start a family. Sandberg does not have a technical background but has excelled in a technical job. She believes the roles of men and women in the workplace and at home should be equal. Concerned that the world has still not achieved this equality, Sandberg has been vocal about empowering women.

Sheryl Sandberg has demonstrated throughout her career that she is hungry for growth. There must be the need to advance one aspect of the business or the other. She seeks out these areas and works acidulously at planning, developing and implementing strategies which propels these areas to new dimensions. Her involvement in a number of businesses outside of her core business, for example Starbucks and Disney, speaks volume to the drive of this lady. Once her goal has been achieved, Sheryl Sandberg is ready and rearing to go on another mission.