I’m half way through Lean In. I have to finish it by 8 for a bookclub meeting. Probably not going to happen, but in the long and honored tradition at Apt. 11D of writing blogpost on half-read books, I have a few thoughts.

Why aren’t there more women at senior levels of business and politics? A great question with lots and lots of people weighing in on the subject. There are three answers to that question.

1. Choice. Women would rather not take on positions of power, because they want to devote more energy to family or life in general.

2. Sexism/Obstacles. Women aren’t reaching the top layers of business and politics, because men judge them harshly, because they aren’t taken seriously, and/or because there aren’t enough accommodations for pregnant women or women with young children.

3. Personal Actions. Women aren’t getting ahead, because they aren’t aggressive enough, they second guess themselves, they don’t promote themselves enough, and they don’t believe in themselves enough.

So, what option does Sandberg choose. Door Number 1, Door Number 2, or Door Number 3? You would think that she would choose women’s self-sabotaging behavior as the explanation for the lack of female CEO’s. That’s sort of the title of the book. The problem is that she also says that choice and sexism are also factors. Now, if she came right out and said that she believed that all three variables were at work, then fine. She would have an argument. But she doesn’t! I’m halfway through the book and I am still waiting for one clear, consistent message.

I almost suspect that she didn’t choose one answer, because she didn’t want to offend anyone. She doesn’t even come out and clearly say that more women should be CEOs. She makes a point of saying that women who care for others full time are great.

Take a position, Sheryl!! Stop being so nice! (Who knew that I could be more of hardass than Sheryl Sandberg?)

The book isn’t worthless. I will probably finish the book off this week. Sandberg is likable. She’s neurotic in the same way that I’m neurotic, so I understand her. I enjoy her own stories of how she got to the top and wish that she had written a memoir instead of a confused manifesto.