In a tight job market teetering on the base of a shaky economy in an increasingly globalized world, it's important for today's leaders to be acutely mindful of their responsibilities within their organizations. But successful
leadership, especially for women, involves much more than this. In the Spring, 2011 issue of
Women of Influence, contributing writer Tammy Heermann spoke to three top female executives to learn how their unique styles of leadership are transforming their organizations.* What she discovered were six common threads that run through their careers, which helped them blaze their own distinctly successful trails to the top.
1) Define your "personal leadership value." Have a clear and concise understanding of who you are as a leader. What are your strengths and your challenges? What unique qualities do you bring to the table?
2) Be deliberate in your path selection. As Heermann writes, "Trailblazers are deliberate, intentional, and mindful of their own vision and the type of leadership they know they will need to exhibit to achieve it."
3) Know what you can control and what you cannot. In every organization, there are some aspects of its "culture" and history that are changeable and some that are not. A strong leader is realistic about what's within her control to change and what isn't, and makes choices about which path to take based on this knowledge.
4) Adaptability is key. Leaders who are able to adapt their leadership style to the culture and characteristics of their workplaces are likely to be more effective and have better longevity. However, it's important not to confuse your style with your values and beliefs. As Heermann advises: "Modulate your style--but not your substance."
5) Don't go it alone. The top can be a very lonely place to be. Add to that the fact that trailblazers don't have a tried and true path to follow, which can lead to uncertainty with respect to the decisions they are constantly having to make. To avoid both traps, you should put together an advisory team of three or four people you can trust to give you solid guidance and honest feedback.
6) Have courage, purpose, and determination. Being a women in today's workplace can be highly stressful. Multiply that by ten when you're a female leader in today's workplace. So when things get tough, and they will, you need a strong sense of self and purpose to draw upon at times when you feel like your courage and strength are faltering a little (or even a lot).
As high octane women, we're very fortunate. We live at a time when we are able to reach heights our foremothers could only dream of reaching. This provides us with an opportunity to make a mark in the organizations we work for and spark positive changes for future generations, but there is nothing that says that your mark has to follow in the footsteps of those before you. Hopefully, these common threads can help ease your journey as you blaze your own unique path and transform your organization into the best it can be for today's workers and those who will follow them. Happy trails!
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* The three leaders highlighted in Heermann's article are Anne Sao, President of George Brown College; Karen Werger, partner at Deloitte; and Janice Baker, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. See Tammy Heermann, "The New Path to Leadership," Women of Influence Magazine, Spring, 2011, pp. 60-61 for the full article.
© 2011 Sherrie Bourg Carter, All Rights Reserved
Dr. Bourg Carter is the author of High Octane Women: How Superachievers Can Avoid Burnout (Prometheus Books, 2011).
