Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant Interview on ‘Option B’ Book

Knowledge at Wharton

  • May 31, 2017
  • 55:58
  • Full Episode

KNOWLEDGE@WHARTON ARCHIVES: Two years before this interview, Sheryl Sandberg was leading a good life. She was the chief operating officer of Facebook and author of the legendary New York Times bestseller Lean In. She was a renowned business leader and a role model for women around the world. She was happily married to Dave Goldberg, the CEO of SurveyMonkey, and they had two young children.

Then the unthinkable happened. On a family vacation in Mexico, Goldberg died suddenly and unexpectedly of heart failure while using an exercise machine. He was 48.

“I was lucky for a long time. And then I wasn’t,” Sandberg said simply and poignantly in a recent talk at Wharton as part of the Authors@Wharton speakers series. Sandberg was joined by Adam Grant, Wharton professor of management and psychology and the author of Originals and Give and Take.

Sandberg and Grant have co-authored a new book, Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy, published in April 2017, which chronicles Sandberg’s progress from a state of overwhelming, paralyzing grief to being able to appreciate life in a new way. Stories of others who have faced adversity are included as well. At Wharton she spoke about the book and described how Grant has been a partner on the journey.

#sherylsandberg, #adamgrant, #optionb #resilience

More on this interview: https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/what-to-do-when-life-hands-you-option-b/

Brief Summary

Cheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant discuss resilience, grief, and supporting women in leadership roles after personal loss.

Key points

  • A Journey of Grief. Cheryl shares her experience of losing her husband and the lessons learned about grief.
  • The Power of Resilience. Cheryl Sandberg discusses the importance of resilience in overcoming tragedy and hardship.
  • Finding Gratitude. Cheryl reflects on how hardship can lead to greater appreciation for life.
  • The Power of Acknowledgment. Acknowledging someone's grief is crucial; don't shy away from bringing it up.
  • Finding Joy After Loss. Joy requires effort, especially after experiencing grief.
  • Redefining Personal Branding. Authenticity is key; avoid packaging yourself like a product.

Tension

65/ 100Some tension

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