Conditions for all women will improve when there are more women in leadership roles giving strong and powerful voice to their needs and concerns. 当更多女性进入领导阶层、用有力的声音表达她们的需求与关注时，世界上所有女性的处境也将随之得到改善。

　　This brings us to the obvious question—how? 问题显而易见：怎么做？

　　How are we going to take down the barriers that prevent more women from getting to the top? 我们怎样才能拆除阻止女性进入社会高层的壁垒？

　　Women face real obstacles in the professional world, including blatant and subtle sexism, discrimination, and sexual harassment. 在职场中，女性面临着真正的障碍，包括公然或隐性的性别歧视、差别待遇和性骚扰。

　　Too few workplaces offer the flexibility and access to child care and parental leave that are necessary for pursuing a career while raising children. 极少有公司能够提供弹性工作制的岗位，让那些在抚养孩子的同时又追求事业发展的女性抽出必要的时间照顾孩子、休产假；

　　Men have an easier time finding the mentors and sponsors who are invaluable for career progression. 而且，女性找到合适的人生导师和赞助者也需要时间，男性在这方面则比女性更轻松。事实上，这二者对个人事业的发展有着难以估量的价值。

　　Plus, women have to prove themselves to a far greater extent than men do. 除此之外，女性需要比男性花费更大的精力去证明自己。

　　And this is not just in our heads. 这可不是在想当然。

　　A 2011 McKinsey report noted that men are promoted based on potential, while women are promoted based on past accomplishments. 2011年麦肯锡的一项报告指出，男性的晋升基于其自身的潜力，而女性的晋升则是基于其已获得的成就。

　　In addition to the external barriers erected by society, women are hindered by barriers that exist within ourselves. 除了社会的外部障碍之外，女性还为存在于自身的障碍所影响。

　　We hold ourselves back in ways both big and small, by lacking self-confidence, by not raising our hands, and by pulling back when we should be leaning in. 由于缺乏自信、不敢争取表达的机会、在应该向前一步时往后退。