Nobody understands the unique obstacles you as a woman face in today’s business world quite like the women who’ve gone before you. That’s exactly why female entrepreneurs and executives have a lot to gain from listening to one another — that’s why together, we rise.
So are you ready for a kick in the pants and fresh boost of motivation? Want to hear from powerful women who know what it takes to successful? We’ve gathered 10 quotes from powerful women leaders to inspire you through whatever challenge you’re facing today. You’ve got this, girl. Keep striving, keep climbing, and keep growing with these tips.
“You were born to create and contribute.” — Marie Forleo, American life coach, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and author.
Step one in succeeding as a woman today: Get rid of the self-limiting beliefs and hesitancies holding you back in your business life. Listen to Forleo’s point: You’re made to contribute, your voice needs to be heard, and you shouldn’t be afraid.
If the only reason you’re pushing toward a goal is because it’s what someone else thinks you should do, you’re missing something. Listen to the billionaire born into poverty: You do you.
Want to make a difference? Think bigger than your own experience, and think longer than the present moment. Take Sandberg’s advice and focus on bettering the people on your team, and you can make an impact for the long haul.
If it’s success you’re after, quit dreaming and start doing. Like Lauder says, the only way to keep growing is to hustle. Make up your mind to put your head down, work hard, and keep doing it day after day.
Stay open to new opportunities, even when you aren’t sure if you’re ready or you feel a little uncomfortable. You never know what’s going to present itself to you, so keep bridges available as you move throughout your career.
Feel freedom to follow your own path, as Clinton suggests, and let other businesswomen around you do the same. Each woman is on her own journey.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained — at least according to Rosenfeld. So you need to be willing to step out in faith, within reason. Do your research, weigh the pros and cons, and when it makes sense, be willing to leap if you want to move forward.
If you’ve hit a wall in your business or recently experienced some kind of professional defeat, take heart. View your failures as an opportunity to learn, and keep moving forward. As Corcoran says, success may be just beyond your next idea.
You don’t have to work in the clothing industry to appreciate Pei’s point: Comparing yourself to all the people around you is fruitless. Focus instead on your journey and what you do well. Skip the distraction of worrying about the other guys.
You can always keep your dignity, no matter what the business world throws at you. When other companies or professionals lack integrity, you don’t have to join them. Take Obama’s advice and be the one to “go high.”
To female entrepreneurs, executives or business leaders: No woman operates in a vacuum. By heeding advice from the strong voices who’ve gone before you, you can gain insight and wisdom into which path to take, which choice to make, and how to seize each opportunity. So take the advice of these seven powerhouses, and move forward with confidence!
Shanna Mallon is a contributing writer for Straight North, a leading Internet marketing agency in Chicago providing SEO, web development and other online marketing services. She’s been a freelance writer since 2007.
