We are closing out our three-part series inspired by an International Women’s Month article published by Forbes, featuring 8 Leadership Lessons From The World’s Most Powerful Women. For Part 1 we talked about how Determination is all about making the big decision of not giving up no matter what happens before anything happens because races are not necessarily won by the swift, but by the steady. We also said that nobody ever got anywhere or became anything by staying in their comfort zones; making Boldness and Bravery the key trait of victors.
Then Part 2 was an in depth look at how Determination is fueled by Ideation and Imagination, and why Boldness and Bravery should be balanced out by Daring and Strategy, and why Discipline holds all these traits together.
Today we’re going to find out how these first 6 traits can be used to establish the foundation for success. The next step is to develop the framework you will build around. You must develop your framework carefully so that it will reinforce your chosen building blocks of success: Corporate Wisdom, Career Management, and Delegation.
6. Corporate Wisdom
The book StrengthsFinder 2.0 busts the myth of the “balanced, well-rounded” individual. It proposes that each individual operates under a specific set of hardwired strengths that are most effective when focused on tasks and purposes aligned to those strengths. This means that one shouldn’t try to “work on” their weaknesses, but rather, align yourself with other individuals whose strengths are your weaknesses– making for a “balanced, well-rounded” team. That is Corporate Wisdom. Knowing when you’re not the best person for a task and having the foresight and humility to get the help of someone who is the best person for a task.
7. Career Management
In your eagerness to see your current business venture succeed, don’t lose sight of what is at the core of it all – YOU; your career. Be as diligent in managing your personal status as you are the status of your business. Always set your “big goals” in the beginning and constantly revisit them along the way, checking for adherence (whether you’re still on track) or relevance (if you need to revamp or revise depending on arising needs). Next, narrow your focus. Don’t spread yourself too thinly or try to be the Jack-of-All-Trades but the Master of none. Also, listen to outsiders. It’s always great to get the perspective of someone who can give you valuable insight and guidance in your career. Seek out professional connections in your corporate network or connect with a Career Coach. Lastly, to maintain your relevance, your sanity, and your effectiveness, you must carve out time in your schedule to step back and evaluate what you are doing and how you are doing it.
8. Delegation
It sounds cool, but trying to be a “One-Woman-Show” is actually not as cool as you think. Today’s ‘Modern Woman’ has the opportunity to lead both a happy domestic life and a thriving corporate career – she just needs to learn how to delegate. Katie Taylor, Four Seasons CEO believes the most successful women are those who have learned that they have to have help, and they have to have faith in the people around them – at work and at home. It’s not easy, but it’s critical over the long-term. There is a time and place for “micro management” but not all the time. Recognise your personal limits and learn to ease out your need for control when necessary and progressive for productivity.
In the recent couple of years, women have been making significant forward and upward strides in many industries and areas of discipline around the world, but we still have a long way to go. So to continue moving forward and upward, we must first take stock of what is working; hopefully, this three-part series on 8 Great Traits of Successful Women in Leadership will help us do just that.
Are you a woman aiming for success in leadership? If this series (or any of my other blogs) speaks to you, please feel free to contact me, I would love to meet you and have a simple chat over coffee!
