Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg is facing a scandal after a former employee, Sarah Wynn-Williams, alleged that she tried to persuade the author to join her on the corporate jet and made $13,000 worth of lingerie purchases. The allegations, detailed in Wynn-Williams’ memoir “Careless People,” mark a sharp departure from the public image of Sandberg as a feminist icon.
In 2013, Sandberg published “Lean In,” which aimed to promote women’s empowerment in the corporate world. While her efforts were criticized for being narrow and apolitical, it is unclear whether she intended to deceive people with this persona.
As COO of Facebook, Sandberg played a significant role in shaping the company’s culture, but her actions have come under scrutiny after the publication of Wynn-Williams’ memoir. Meta has dismissed the allegations as “false accusations” and trashed Wynn-Williams’ reputation.
The scandal raises questions about power’s corrupting influence and whether corporate leaders are willing to compromise their values for personal gain. Wynn-Williams, who worked at Facebook for seven years, claims that Sandberg’s public image was a “shtick” masking her true intentions.
While the full extent of Sandberg’s actions is not yet clear, it is evident that her reputation has taken a hit in recent days. As COO of Meta, she left her job in 2022 and reportedly fell out with CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who has faced criticism for his handling of hate speech on the platform.
Wynn-Williams’ memoir offers a unique insight into Facebook’s inner workings and raises questions about the accountability of corporate leaders. The scandal surrounding Sandberg serves as a reminder that power comes with great responsibility, and those in positions of authority must be held to high standards of ethics and integrity.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/12/sheryl-sandberg-facebook-memoir-mark-zuckerberg