Skip to content

Feminism Quote by Sheryl Sandberg

“(...) just being nice is not a winning strategy. Nice sends a message that the woman is willing to sacrifice pay to be liked by others. This is why a woman needs to combine niceness with insistence, a style that Mary Sue Coleman, president of the University of Michigan, calls "relentlessly…” quote by Sheryl Sandberg
Download Open image
““(...) just being nice is not a winning strategy. Nice sends a message that the woman is willing to sacrifice pay to be liked by others. This is why a woman needs to combine niceness with insistence, a style that Mary Sue Coleman, president of the University of Michigan, calls "relentlessly pleasant." (p.48)””

Sheryl Sandberg

About This Quote

Source Book: Lean In, 2013

Being merely nice isn’t enough; combine kindness with assertiveness to succeed professionally.

In simple terms: Combine niceness with insistence.

Key Takeaway

Assert your value while staying kind.

Themes

gender dynamics leadership assertiveness

Mood

empowering practical

Type

leadership gender career

When to use this quote

  • negotiations
  • team leadership
  • performance reviews
  • career advancement

Key Concepts

social expectations career strategy women empowerment

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you balance niceness and firmness?
  • When should you assert more aggressively?
A Different Perspective

Too much assertiveness can be perceived negatively.

3.7 out of 5 (7 ratings)

More by Sheryl Sandberg

Explore all 557 Sheryl Sandberg quotes

More Feminism quotes

Browse all 15,705 Feminism quotes