Women today are owners of Fortune 500 companies, college graduates, doctors, executives, politicians, philanthropists, and all kinds of other influential leaders. Getting into a leadership position is no longer the problem when it comes to being a woman in society, but sometimes navigating the world as a woman in leadership can be a little obscure and confusing. Consider this is your call to woman up!
1. Stop apologizing (sometimes even when you're wrong).
Here's the thing: You do not owe everyone an apology. If something happens and you're really in the wrong, yes, give respect where respect is due. The problem here is that women develop a mindset that defaults to self-blame. Your default should be self-confidence (note: not arrogance) above all.
2. Never let anyone blame your hormones.
Carly Fiorina, the only woman to date to own a Fortune 20 company (if that wasn't cool enough, she's actually a 2016 presidential candidate – talk about running with the big dogs), spoke at a political conference this weekend, and had the best response to the "hormonal" argument I've ever heard. When essentially asked if she thought her hormones would affect her ability to run a country, she responded with a question of her own, "Can you think of a time, any time at all, that a man's ability to lead, even in the oval office, was affected by his hormones?" Get it girl.
3. Stop expecting failure.
Do more than chase your dreams – fight for them. If you've worked hard you can rest knowing that in the end you will come out on top.
4. Never let fear hold you back.
When making a big decision, you could make a pros and cons list, or you could ask yourself what option you're more afraid of and just go with that. Our biggest dreams are the ones that scare us the most, and when you can embrace that rather than run from it, you will change your life.
5. Learn from failure, but more importantly, move on from it.
Truth is, you're not going to get it right every singe time, but that's no reason to stop trying. Failure gives you experience, which only means the next try will be better. Keep your eyes forward!
6. Never feel alone.
Mainly because you're not. Seriously, you are never alone. You have family, friends, mentors, bigs, littles, all looking out for you. Beyond even that, Diane Von Ferstenberg once pointed out, "The success of every single woman is inspiration for another." Be inspired and become an inspiration.
7. Hold your head and your standards high.
You are valued, and deserve to live a big and beautiful life. Above all else, never, never accept less than the absolute best in every area of life, be it home, school, church, relationships, work, career. Be the boss of your life!