Recently, Facebook has come under fire from all sides for the way it has handled customer data. Earlier this year, following the issue of Cambridge Analytica saga whereby millions of users had their data compromised resulting in highly suggestive and targeted advertising helping to sway the U.S. Election towards Donald Trump, it looked like Facebook was almost done for.

Why would anybody keep using Facebook if they knew that their data was being sold to the highest bidder?

People are still using Facebook. Not only that, but Facebook advertising spend is still holding steady. So the question really remains, after all is said and done, how is it that Facebook was able to maintain its user base, and subsequently its employee base, amidst these trials and tribulations?

One such theory is that while Mark Zuckerberg bore the brunt of the backlash on Facebook, one other person stood out as being the true anchor of the company, steering the ship through thick and thin.

That person is Sheryl Sandberg.

As Facebook’s COO, Sheryl is essentially the one person that is running the organisation on a day-to-day basis. Were Mark Zuckerberg to leave Facebook immediately, Sheryl Sandberg would be his immediate replacement.

What sets Sheryl apart is her ability to build enormous amounts of rapport internally, allowing for a caring figurehead to nurture the company during the tough times. Most of the things that she does to help the employees are outlined in the book “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg.

Sheryl is able to clearly empathise with people, based on her unique life experiences. By being able to relate to others, she sets herself up as an empathetic leader, and in turn ensures the survival of her company even as the CEO is hauled over the coals before congress.

Sheryl’s book, Lean In, is a clear reflection of her philosophy on life. It’s hard to imagine that Sheryl, being both a single mother (due to her husband David Goldberg’s tragic death in 2015) and COO is able to stay level headed when times are tough.

Sheryl offers some insight in her book Lean In , whereby she paints a picture of a woman both capable and calm, yet able to be caring and callous.

Sheryl’s biggest takeaways for Facebook:

- Don’t be afraid to voice your opinion: Sheryl often comments that women tend to be “relentlessly pleasant” in business negotiation, instead of voicing their true opinion.

- Seek your truth: it’s important also to be able to let yourself be truly observant to the situation at hand, instead of trying to interpret everyone else’s opinion.

- There is a myth of doing it all: Nobody knows everything. Nobody can do “it all” so to speak, so stop thinking of yourself as falling short if you can’t do it all.

Sheryl is a true hero of our time. We will see how Facebook goes in the future, but one thing is for certain; without her, they would not be as big as they are today.