The 9 habits of successful women
Whether you work inside or outside of the home, or as a PTA member or community organizer, all successful women posses a combination of hard work, education and/ or expertise, the right attitude, and demonstrate the right behaviors. A woman's attributes, if strategically applied, can make her powerful within her circle of influence.
"As founder and chairman emeritus of Mary Kay Cosmetics, I've received quite a bit of publicity, and now when I have something to say, people seem to listen. It's not that I am saying anything different from what I have said all of my life, but apparently, once a person achieves success, what he or she has to say becomes important." - Mary Kay Ash http://www.answers.com/topic/mary-kay-ash
Successful women are willing to take a leadership role. Taking on tasks/ responsibilities that others will not, establishes your reputation of being the "go to" girl, and makes you a valuable team member (Brown). Taking a leadership role will get the attention of everyone working with you, because you are doing things that help to make their jobs easier, and to make their overall experience more positive. It is not about kissing up, or trying to win a popularity contest, but more or less managing your relationships by being part of the solution, and not part of the problem.
Successful women build and utilize their network of people. Statistics show that women tend to only network with women who look like them (Brown). When it comes to opportunities for advancement, you have to be willing to go outside of your social demographic to get ahead, so step outside of your comfort zone.
Successful women establish their brand, or reputation. Your brand, is what people have to say about you, when you are not around; it is not necessarily whether or not they like your personality, or things about you (Brown). Being well liked by others is very subjective, and there will always be those who will sing your praises, and those who will decide not to like you for various reasons. Your reputation for being good at what you do, or being the kind of woman who can get things done, is what you should invest in. If you know yourself, and what personalities are more comparable with yours, then you should be able to avoid conflicts with others, and remember that you can catch more flies with honey.
Successful women think in terms of the "big picture". There are stepping stone type roles that you may be asked to take on; do not consider them demeaning, or beneath you, if they will lead to a more desirable position, or prepare you for better things.
Successful women continue to better themselves. Never stop learning; take advantage of every opportunity to enhance your skills, and/ or education. Read publications on the latest trends or techniques in your area of work. Study the women you admire, and find out what they did to get to where they are, and ask them for advice or tips (Brown).
Successful women are willing to put themselves out there. Get noticed by spearheading a committee or project, or champion a fundraiser for your favorite charity. Form strong alliances with people who can recommend you for more high-visibility type tasks in the future. Keep divisive people who try to undermine you, or tarnish your reputation, in plain sight at all times. Your diplomacy and overall political skills will help you to circumvent their hindrances; use your allies to help shut down their efforts (Brown).
Successful women never behave like divas. Be polite to everyone, from the janitor and cleaning crew, to the CEO. Always be mindful of how you treat others, because there may come a day when you will need their services or help; humility will carry you far in life (Brown).
Successful women are not afraid to let others shine. Not only do true leaders know how to follow, but they do not worry about being upstaged by someone else. Show your gratitude for being able to bask in the sun, by allowing others the opportunity to do the same, and be a mentor (Brown).
Successful women are highly adaptable, and make lemonade out of lemons."When I was fifteen, I won the Western Pennsylvania High School Impromptu Speech Contest, which meant that I would travel to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to compete. Upon arriving at our hotel, the staff advised my teacher that they did not realize that I was a Negro girl, and that they could not allow me to stay in their hotel. I remembered my mother's advice to me, which was to hold myself together, no matter what happened." - Dorothy Height http://www.answers.com/topic/dorothy-height
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