In "Option B," Sheryl Sandberg shares her poignant journey of grief and resilience following the sudden death of her husband. Interweaving personal anecdotes with research on heartbreak and recovery, she illuminates the profound impact of loss and the power of community. Sandberg emphasizes that while we may not control life's setbacks, we can cultivate the strength to rise again. With insights that resonate far beyond her own experience, she beckons readers to embrace vulnerability and find meaning amid adversity. Dive into this moving exploration of hope and growth, and discover your own path to resilience.
By Adam Grant, Sheryl Sandberg
Published: 2017
"“Empathy is a choice, and it’s a vulnerable one.”"
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • From authors of Lean In and Originals: a powerful, inspiring, and practical book about building resilience and moving forward after life’s inevitable setbacks After the sudden death of her husband, Sheryl Sandberg felt certain that she and her children would never feel pure joy again. “I was in ‘the void,’” she writes, “a vast emptiness that fills your heart and lungs and restricts your ability to think or even breathe.” Her friend Adam Grant, a psychologist at Wharton, told her there are concrete steps people can take to recover and rebound from life-shattering experiences. We are not born with a fixed amount of resilience. It is a muscle that everyone can build. Option B combines Sheryl’s personal insights with Adam’s eye-opening research on finding strength in the face of adversity. Beginning with the gut-wrenching moment when she finds her husband, Dave Goldberg, collapsed on a gym floor, Sheryl opens up her heart—and her journal—to describe the acute grief and isolation she felt in the wake of his death. But Option B goes beyond Sheryl’s loss to explore how a broad range of people have overcome hardships including illness, job loss, sexual assault, natural disasters, and the violence of war. Their stories reveal the capacity of the human spirit to persevere . . . and to rediscover joy. Resilience comes from deep within us and from support outside us. Even after the most devastating events, it is possible to grow by finding deeper meaning and gaining greater appreciation in our lives. Option B illuminates how to help others in crisis, develop compassion for ourselves, raise strong children, and create resilient families, communities, and workplaces. Many of these lessons can be applied to everyday struggles, allowing us to brave whatever lies ahead. Two weeks after losing her husband, Sheryl was preparing for a father-child activity. “I want Dave,” she cried. Her friend replied, “Option A is not available,” and then promised to help her make the most of Option B. We all live some form of Option B. This book will help us all make the most of it.
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““Empathy is a choice, and it’s a vulnerable one.””
Option B
By Adam Grant, Sheryl Sandberg
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Adam Grant is a renowned organizational psychologist and best-selling author known for his insights on work and human behavior. He is a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he specializes in leadership and motivation. Grant's influential books, including "Give and Take," "Originals," and "Think Again," encourage readers to rethink traditional approaches to success and collaboration. He is a sought-after speaker and has delivered TED talks that have garnered millions of views. With a commitment to promoting a culture of generosity and innovation, Adam Grant continues to inspire individuals and organizations alike.
Sheryl Sandberg is an influential American technology executive, author, and advocate for women in leadership. She served as the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook (now Meta Platforms, Inc.) from 2008 until 2022, where she played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and revenue strategies. Sandberg is best known for her bestselling book, "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead," which encourages women to pursue their ambitions and empowers them in the workplace. A graduate of Harvard University, she has also held prominent positions at the World Bank and Google. Through her work, Sandberg has become a leading voice in discussions about gender equality and workplace diversity.
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