March is Women's History Month, a time to acknowledge the impact women have made on society and the vital role they play in history. In the world of business, there are many outspoken women who have pushed boundaries, broken glass ceilings and had great success in their endeavors. With so many wise words spoken, these women are the ultimate resource from which to pull inspiration for the future of your career.
“No matter how good you are at self-evaluating, asking your peers for help and criticism is incredibly important. Setting up a good productivity-enabling support network around you will motivate you more than you could ever imagine, and constructive criticism along with self-awareness is the pathway to personal growth.”
- Jessica Hische
It's not just about you.
It's said that "no man is an island," and neither is a woman. Success can come without a supportive network, but it'll come a bit easier and be much more sustainable if you're surrounded by others who understand your path.
I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.-Estee Lauder
Take action.
Wanting something is the first step. Doing something should be the step to immediately follow. Even small movements will approach an end goal with consistency, regularity, and ultimately, success. Don't spend more time than necessary planning and anticipating obstacles – get out of your own head so real life progress can actually be made.
“You will be defined not just by what you achieve, but by how you survive.”―Sheryl Sandberg
Don't be afraid to fail.
Smooth sailing may get you where you need to go, but real strength and perseverance is developed from wading through the weeds. Your navigation through conflict and obstacles directs your professional career path, and it's important to face these issues in order to grow.
“I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow. When there’s that moment of ‘Wow, I’m not really sure I can do this,’ and you push through those moments, that’s when you have a breakthrough.” ― Marissa Mayer, former CEO of Yahoo
No hesitation.
Continue to push the envelope, stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing a challenge when one arises. When there is an ounce of uncertainty, you often find yourself recalibrating your default strategies and growing in the process.
“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.” ―Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx
Keep learning.
You don't have to know everything, be 100% qualified, or claim to have all the answers. Continue expanding your knowledge base, and never treat your skillset as a finite set of capabilities. The world continues to change, and your career needs change with it. Ignore the threat of the unknown, and rather than admitting defeat and settling in complacency, ask questions, learn more, and further your career development.
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” - Maya Angelou
Embrace the metamorphosis.
Your professional path will take many twists and turns over the course of its life. You may have begun with one goal in mind, only to discover a different direction demanded pursuing. When looking at industry professionals and mentors, acknowledge that their careers were also far from perfect. Change is inevitable, and just because the final product is making it look easy doesn't mean they didn't experience a lot of difficulties along the way. How you begin isn't always how you end.
"Whatever the problem, be part of the solution. Don't just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles." -Tina Fey
Be proactive.
In life, and in jobs, there's respect in being the one who's not just the flag raiser. Pointing out problems is helpful, but proposing solutions demonstrates a dedication to the business and an ability to take action. Before directing attention to the issues at hand, prepare some ideas for resolution and your superiors will take notice.
The most important thing one woman can do for another is expand her sense of actual possibilities. - Adrienne Rich
Open doors for each other
Historically, women have been limited in their presence in professional settings, and while the tide is turning, there is still much work to be done. The camaraderie among professional women needs to be that of support and allyship until true workplace equality exists. Opening doors to promotions and encouraging the professional growth of other women is a great way for career women to push forward.
Happy Women's History Month!