Can you believe there are still people who deny there is a gender pay gap? There are also people who deny women get treated differently than men in the corporate and business communities. What such people often fail to realize is while it’s important to recognize these inequalities, women want nothing more than to eradicate them. Of course, until this can happen, it is essential women know what they need to succeed in the business world.
Here are a few key things you need to keep in mind.
Have a desire to succeed
You have to know what you want and have a desire to succeed in business or the career field of your choice. Many people chose to study business or pursue a career in corporate because it’s what’s expected of them. It’s not what they want, and their heart is not really in it. Because of this, it will be challenging to achieve high levels of success. You need to what is motivating you to pursue this path. If it’s for someone else, you will want to look at other career choices. If you find this is what you truly wish to do, when the going gets tough and it inevitably will, you need only remember why you pursued this path in the first place. This will help you stay motivated as you travel along your journey.
Have strong female role models
Next, having a strong female role model like Belinda Stronach, who sat on the board of Manga international for 16 years, can help women in business succeed. Not only can you learn from their actions, but they will also serve as an example that women can make it even in the toughest of times, attaining high-level positions within the company. After all, if they can do it, you can too! This being something we all need reminding of from time to time.
Have a mentor
Most successful people I have met or observed have both a role model and a mentor. A role model is someone you look up to and emulate. You may never meet them, and they may never know you look up to them the way you do. Examples of role models other then Belinda Stronach include Oprah Winfrey, Sheryl Sanberg, and Toni Morrison.
With a mentor, there is typically a relationship where you meet with them frequently. They serve as a guide during your professional journey sharing valuable knowledge and experiences with you. They can help to identify your strengths and weaknesses and provide advice and access to resources.
One important thing to note, is women are less likely to seek out a mentor. However, having a mentor can make a significant difference in your career or business.
Have resilience and tenacity
Women who want to succeed in the business world need to have a tenacious and resilient attitude. This is not only because of the sexism that permeates many companies, (albeit mostly covert now), but also because of the high level of competition for the best and most well-paid jobs.
Everyone hoping to reach higher echelons in the business world, men included, need to remember there will be challenges along the way. They also need to be aware the route to the top is very rarely straight or direct. This means their tenancy and reliance will be called into play at some point. You can learn more about the need to be resilient in the Ted Talk by Kathryn Meisner, “The ABC’s of Resilience.”
Know YOUR leadership style
If you want to be successful in business, you will, at some point, find yourself in a leadership position where you need to motivate, inspire, and possibly manage others. Of course, additional responsibility and the ability to climb the ladder are granted to those that demonstrate they can be effective leaders, so it’s imperative you get this right. Luckily, getting to know your leadership style, even before you are granted such a position can really help.
Different leadership styles suit different personalities better. When you know your leadership style, you can play to your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses, and so lead to much more success. Self-awareness is key to understanding and knowing the type of leader you want to be. Taking assessments such as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or Energy Leadership Index (ELI) can be helpful. Assessments will help you gain insight and understanding about yourself and how you interact with others. You can also learn how to be a leader by observing your role models and working with your mentor.
Women face unique challenges when climbing the ladder of success. They can and do overcome the obstacles by knowing and understanding what is needed to succeed. You too can achieve the success you desire to have in life. Decide what path you want to pursue and start your journey today!
Carolyn R. Owens has over 25 years of proven experience and serves as a Career Strategist, Leadership and Life Coach. She is the Chairwoman and CEO of Infinity Coaching, Inc. where they help you up-level your skills so you can up-level your income. Infinity Coaching, Inc. provides one-on-one and group coaching, organizational training, and personality assessments. Carolyn is certified to give both The Energy Leadership Index Assessment and Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Assessment. You can find out more about both assessments and other products and services at https://infinitycoaching.net.
