5 ATTRIBUTES OF SUCCESSFUL FEMALE LEADERS

1. A Prowess for Being Persuasive The ability to persuade others to believe in your ideas is a crucial aspect of being a leader. In fact, capacities traditionally deemed feminine, such as empathy and the ability to read people, may contribute to being more persuasive in the workplace. These characteristics allow women leaders to see all sides of a situation and read co-workers more accurately. This increases individuals’ trust in them as well as their ability to persuade others to come around to their way of thinking.

2. The Focus to Set and Reach Goals Women leaders don’t rise to success by accident. They set concrete goals and work hard to reach them. They find ways to balance work and family time so as not to get sidetracked. This also makes these individuals appear more confident to their co-workers and team members. These female leaders know what they want—and how to get it.

3. A Talent for Team Building The ability to foster relationships is a key to cultivating strong teams. This requires the ability to sense internal conflict and take action to resolve it before the situation creates distrust and discord. Great women leaders also often prefer to tackle issues using a team approach rather than requiring individual workers to stand alone. As leaders, they hear and respond to multiple points of view in order to make the most informed decision possible.

4. A Strong Sense of Self Successful women leaders know exactly who they are, what they want and what they bring to the table. This characteristic isn’t egotism. Instead, it’s simply knowing and being comfortable with themselves. While these women are likely to encounter the same obstacles as others, they face roadblocks head-on, with poise and confidence. Rather than second-guess themselves, they stand by their decisions and convictions.

5. The Courage to Break the Rules Women leaders are used to having to fight the system to get ahead, so they’re not afraid to think outside the box and question the status quo. They don’t shy away from questioning corporate procedures and company structures. Plus, they push back against habit and find innovative solutions to workplace issues—even if it means taking the road less traveled.