---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An internal report at Hewlett-Packard…"
description: "\"“An internal report at Hewlett-Packard revealed that women only apply for open jobs if they think they meet 100 percent of the criteria listed. Men app..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c0/sheryl-sandberg-439_feminism_an-internal-report-at-hewlett-packard-re_693045.png"
---

#  An internal report at Hewlett-Packard revealed that women…

![“An internal report at Hewlett-Packard revealed that women only apply for open jobs if they think they meet 100 percent of the criteria listed. Men apply if they think they meet 60 percent of the requirements. This difference has a huge ripple effect. Women need to shift from thinking 'I'm not…” quote by Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c0/sheryl-sandberg-439_feminism_an-internal-report-at-hewlett-packard-re_693045.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c0/sheryl-sandberg-439_feminism_an-internal-report-at-hewlett-packard-re_693045.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c0/sheryl-sandberg-439_feminism_an-internal-report-at-hewlett-packard-re_693045.png)

> ““An internal report at Hewlett-Packard revealed that women only apply for open jobs if they think they meet 100 percent of the criteria listed. Men apply if they think they meet 60 percent of the requirements. This difference has a huge ripple effect. Women need to shift from thinking 'I'm not ready to do that' to thinking 'I want to do that-- and I'll learn by doing it.””

[Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Women often self‑select out of opportunities unless they feel fully qualified, limiting their career progress.

**In simple terms:** Women hold back unless they feel 100% ready.

Key Takeaway

Encourage taking chances despite imperfect fit.

Themes

confidence gender bias career development

Mood

motivational reflective

Type

advice inspirational

When to use this quote

- job applications
- promotion pursuits
- skill acquisition
- networking

Key Concepts

self‑efficacy impostor syndrome risk taking

Questions to Reflect On

- How might you reframe “not ready” into “ready to learn”?
- What small step can you take toward a goal now?

A Different Perspective

Self‑doubt can be reinforced by cultural expectations.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Feminism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminism/) [Ripple effect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ripple-effect/)

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