Instructor Resource
Neck, Self-Leadership, 2e
SAGE Publishing, 2020
Case Notes
Chapter 9: Reaching the Destination: But the Journey Continues…
“Leaning In” With Sheryl Sandberg
Learning Objectives
1. Synthesize the full array of self-leadership strategies into a comprehensive self-leadership framework.
2. Apply the comprehensive self-leadership framework to real-world situations and cases.
3. Describe the concept of personal effectiveness and how it is influenced by self-leadership
strategies.
Case Summary
Sheryl Sandberg began her first job at Facebook with doubts about herself and her ability to
succeed. Through hard work and self-leadership, however, she was able to become very
successful. She eventually rose to the prestigious position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) of
the entire multi-billion dollar social media company.
Case Analysis
While she may not know about this course’s Comprehensive Leadership Framework by name,
Sheryl Sandberg has done an excellent job of aligning her thoughts and behaviors with the self-
leadership principles contained therein. By doing so, she has found success in dealing with the
manifold real-world challenges she faced personally and professionally along her journey up the
corporate career ladder and into the C-level Executive Suite as COO of Facebook.
Instructor Resource
Neck, Self-Leadership, 2e
SAGE Publishing, 2020
Sample Answers to Case Questions
Question 1. In what ways is Sheryl Sandberg a self-leader? Specifically, how may self-
leadership strategies have helped her to “lean in” during her career?
Sample Answer: There is no doubt that Sandberg utilized most (if not all) of the self-leadership
Question 2. How could self-leadership strategies help more women to “believe in themselves
and their dreams”?
Sample Answer: The understanding and application of self-leadership principles and strategies is
a key to self-confidence and goal achievement. Anyone (man or woman) who carefully studies