What does it mean to be a more successful woman in business? We often think of powerful and assertive women, and while those qualities are undoubtedly important, they don’t always create an authentic leadership style. To lead others effectively, you need first to understand what makes you unique and then learn how to communicate your authentic self to others.
Here are three tips for developing a more authentic leadership style as a woman entrepreneur or executive.
Tip # One: Don’t be someone that you are not.
Trying to be someone you’re not is exhausting, and it’s challenging to maintain a false persona for long. Besides, others will see through your act quickly, so it’s better not to bother trying in the first place. Instead, focus on developing an understanding of who you are and what makes you unique. Only then can you begin to communicate your authentic self to others. Be genuine in your interactions and allow people to see the real you. Focus on being true to your feelings and beliefs, and don’t try to please others at the expense of what you believe in or stand for. Stand up for what’s important to you and let your voice be heard. I know, not always easy, but necessary.
Tip # Two: Take responsibility for yourself and your life.
Too often, we try to blame others for our problems or shortcomings, but as an effective leader, it’s important to take responsibility for yourself and own your life. Whenever we point the finger at someone else, there are always three fingers pointed right back at us, which indicates where the responsibility lies. To truly take responsibility for yourself and your life means acknowledging both your successes and failures and working on fixing the things that you can control. It means that you consider your thoughts, decisions, and actions related to your outcome. How do they contribute to the end result? When you more fully take responsibility for your life and can be open about this as a leader, others will be more likely to trust and follow your lead.
Tip # Three: Define yourself, don’t let others define you.
One of the dangers of trying to be someone that you’re not is that others may start to define who you are instead of you. Therefore, it’s important to take control of your own narrative and define yourself on your own terms. This means communicating what’s important to you and what drives you professionally and personally. Letting others dictate who you are will only hold you back as a leader.
Emerging leaders, especially, need to define themselves on their own terms when it comes to a woman in leadership. Women have often been pigeonholed into specific roles or expectations, but it’s time for us to break out of those molds and show the world what we’re capable of. As women in business, we need to communicate what we stand for and what’s important to us. We are not meant to be everything to everyone. So who and what is it that you are meant to show up for?
Developing a more authentic leadership style takes time and effort, but it’s worth it in the end. Instead of trying to meet the expectations of others, you start to manage the expectations of others, and that is when you start showing up genuinely and making the impact you were born to make.
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If you’re looking for more tips on women in leadership, be sure to check out the Getting to Clarity YouTube Channel. There are a variety of videos that can help you on your journey to becoming a successful woman in business.
