From politics to business and everything in between, women are increasingly taking on leadership roles and making a positive impact on the world. According to a report by McKinsey & Company, the percentage of women in corporate leadership roles has increased from 17% in 2015 to 21% in 2020. The same report found that companies with more diverse leadership teams, including gender diversity, tend to perform better financially.
In politics, the 116th Congress elected in 2018 had a record number of women, with 127 women serving in the House and Senate. In the tech industry, the number of women in the workforce has increased in recent years.
According to a report by Silicon Valley Bank, 31% of startups surveyed had at least one woman in a top leadership role in 2019, up from 21% in 2018. In the academic world, women are also making strides in leadership roles.
According to the American Council on Education, the percentage of women college and university presidents increased from 26% in 2016 to 30% in 2020. These statistics show that there has been significant progress in promoting gender diversity in leadership roles across various industries.
A positive direction
While there is still work to be done to achieve true gender equality in business, the increased representation of women in leadership positions is a positive trend. We spoke to almost 15 women professionals across various industries to gather insights into the uncommon mindsets and habits of highly successful women leaders.
Through our conversations, we were able to identify some common themes that emerged among these successful women leaders. Here are the top 15 suggestions they provided on the mindsets and habits that have helped them achieve success in their careers.
These habits range from prioritizing self-care to fostering a culture of innovation and leading with empathy. By adopting these habits, we can learn from the experiences of successful women leaders and become better leaders ourselves.
Delving deeper into these habits and mindsets
1.Prioritize self-care
Successful women leaders understand the importance of taking care of themselves. They prioritize self-care, such as getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and taking breaks to recharge their batteries.
2.Develop a growth mindset
A growth mindset is a key factor in success, and many successful women leaders possess this trait. They believe that they can learn and grow, and they view challenges and failures as opportunities to learn and improve.
3.Embrace diversity and inclusion
In today’s world, diversity and inclusion are essential for success, women leaders understand this. They embrace diversity in all its forms and create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
4.Build strong relationships
Successful women leaders know that building strong relationships is essential for success. They take the time to build connections with their colleagues, team members, and other stakeholders, and they invest in these relationships over time.
5.Communicate effectively
Effective communication is essential for success, and successful women leaders know how to communicate effectively. They listen carefully, speak clearly, and use language that is inclusive and respectful.
6.Set ambitious goals
Successful women leaders are not afraid to set ambitious goals. They set high expectations for themselves and their teams, and they work hard to achieve these goals.
7.Take calculated risks
Taking calculated risks is essential for success, and successful women leaders understand this. They take risks when they see an opportunity for growth or improvement, but they do so thoughtfully and strategically.
8.Give way for empathy
Empathy is a critical leadership trait, and successful women leaders lead with empathy. They understand the needs and concerns of their team members, and they work to create a supportive and compassionate work environment.
9.Practice active listening
Active listening is a vital communication skill, and successful women leaders practice it regularly. They listen carefully to what their team members have to say, and they respond thoughtfully and respectfully.
10.Seek constructive feedback
Successful women leaders are always looking for ways to improve, and they seek feedback from others regularly. They use this feedback to learn and grow, and they make changes to their behavior or approach as needed.
11.Delegate effectively
Delegation is a crucial leadership skill, and successful women leaders delegate effectively. They identify the strengths and weaknesses of their team members, and they assign tasks accordingly. They also provide clear guidance and support to ensure that tasks are completed successfully.
12.Continuously learn and develop
Successful women leaders understand that learning is a lifelong process, and they continuously seek opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge. They read books, attend conferences and workshops, and seek out mentorship and coaching.
13.Foster a culture of innovation
Innovation is key to success in today’s rapidly changing world, and successful women leaders foster a culture of innovation. They encourage their team members to think creatively, experiment with new ideas, and take risks.
14.Set a healthy example
Successful women leaders lead by example. They model the behavior and values that they expect from their team members, and they hold themselves accountable for their actions and decisions.
15.Develop Resilience
Resilience is essential for success, and successful women leaders stay resilient in the face of challenges and setbacks. They bounce back quickly from failures and setbacks, and they use these experiences as opportunities to learn and grow. They take care of their mental health and practice self-compassion to maintain their resilience over time.
According to a recent study by the Harvard Business Review, companies with more women in leadership positions tend to perform better financially. The study found that companies with a higher proportion of women in top management positions had a 34% higher return on investment than companies with fewer women in the workforce in leadership positions.
This data highlights the importance of promoting diversity and gender equality in business in leadership roles. By learning from successful women leaders and adopting their mindsets and habits, we can help promote greater diversity in leadership and create positive change in the world.
In addition to the financial benefits, there are also numerous other benefits to adopting the mindsets and habits of successful women leaders. For example, prioritizing self-care can lead to greater happiness and well-being, while practising active listening can improve communication and build stronger relationships with colleagues and team members.
Ultimately, by adopting these habits and mindsets, we can become better leaders ourselves and help promote greater diversity in leadership roles. As we strive to create positive change in the world, we can look to successful women leaders as role models and learn from their experiences and insights.
