Top Ten Characteristics of Successful Women Business Leaders

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Women are transforming the face of business and society, moving into leadership roles as business owners and in corporations. What are the characteristics that set successful women business leaders apart? Research and experience suggest that these top ten characteristics are key for women business leaders to maximize success the 21st century.

1. DEFINE SUCCESS IN YOUR OWN TERMS
It is so easy to let others -- usually very well intentioned friends, family, mentors and business associates -- define your goals. Take control of your destiny by deciding how you define success.

2. BE VALUES-BASED
The most successful women know what their values are, and in everything they do, their behavior is consistent with these values.

3. ACKNOWLEDGE AND OWN YOUR POWER
Acknowledge what is unique about you - whether it is your leadership style, your way of making decisions, or your ability to take control of your own destiny. Leverage your power to foster change and success in all areas.

4. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS... AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
Simply put: If it feels right, it usually is right!

5. RECOGNIZE YOUR STRENGTHS
Identify your strengths and those responsibilities you enjoy. Build your business utilizing those strengths. You can always hire someone to do what you hate to do or don’t do well .

6. NURTURE YOUR “MIDAS TOUCH”
Profitability and wealth creation are integral to business growth. For most leaders, financial success is a tangible reward for all that they put into their businesses and professional lives. Earn it - and enjoy it.

7. YOUR TIME AND ENERGY ARE VALUABLE RESOURCES
Your time and energy are resources to you, your business, your family and your friends. You are as scarce and valuable as any other resources in the business, and in your personal life, you are irreplaceable. Learn to set priorities to determine what and how much you will do, saying “yes” at the right times -- and saying “no” at the right times, too.

8. INVEST IN YOUR PERSONAL SELF
Invest both time and money in your health and well-being - a regular massage, manicure, exercise or meditation, for example. Equally important is investing in your intellectual and spiritual well-being through reading, seminars, and professional and personal retreats.

9. BUILD SUPPORT NETWORKS
Build multiple support networks. Some should be for business counsel and contacts, including those that will help you measure your progress toward your goals. Other networks can help you manage your personal and family responsibilities and provide emotional support to enable you to balance your life in good and bad times.

10. ALWAYS LEAVE TIME FOR SERENDIPITY
Don’t pack your schedule so full there isn’t time for doing those spontaneous and serendipitous things that bring delight and joy into our lives.

By: Sharon Hadary, Executive Director
Center for Women's Business Research
1411 K Street, NW, Suite 1350
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: 202-638-3080
Home page: www.womensbusinessresearch.org
Email: shadary@womensbusinessresearch.org

Center for Women's Business Research and Sharon Hadary, 2003