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Women like Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul fought for women today to be virtually whatever we want to be in life. We live in an age of empowerment and should take full advantage of the freedom to be leaders in today’s society. Here are 10 ways to do this.
1) Be present in leadership roles
When is the last time you thought you just weren’t “qualified” enough to apply for something that you really wanted? It’s time to stop with the negativity and step into those leadership roles. If you’re passionate about something, it’s vital to get out of your shell and get more involved in it. You’ll be surprised in what you can accomplish when you just take initiative.
2) Ask a lot of questions
Stop being afraid to ask questions because you think you’ll look dumb. Chances are, you’ll actually look interested and stand out from the herd. If you don’t know something, ask someone who does and take advantage of gaining knowledge from them. Leaders should never stop learning.
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3) Take initiative
It does not go unnoticed when you take initiative. Whether you take on a tough project or introduce new ideas at your work place, you will become a leader simply by taking initiative.
4) Create relationships with other leaders
Creating relationships with other leaders is essential. Gather as much knowledge and wisdom as possible from these relationships and allow them to inspire you to be better and do better in your daily life. Return the favor as well.
5) Be humble
It will not do you any good to brag about what you’ve accomplished. A great leader does not tell others what they’ve done, but rather show others through hard work and determination. They let their success speak for its self.
6) Listen to others
A great leader also has a great listening ear. Those who refuse to listen to others and live to hear themselves talk are rarely respected. Listen to others. Learn from them.
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7) Take risks
You are most likely the one holding yourself back. Taking risks will open up endless opportunities in all areas of your life. While there is a chance that you will fail, there is also a great chance that you will succeed. You won’t know if you don’t try, right?
8) Seek potential in yourself and others
Choose to see the potential in each person that you encounter. It’s easy to pick out flaws in both yourself and others, but this is unhealthy for a woman in leadership. Look for the good in everyone you meet and help them reach their goals however you can.
9) Admit to not knowing everything
In the past, I hated to admit that I didn’t know everything. Trust me, you aren’t fooling others by acting like you know everything. It’s much more respectable of a leader to own up to not knowing everything and admitting when you’re wrong.
10) Be genuine
Do not underestimate the power of others to detect ingenuity. When others see that you’re masquerading, they will grow distrust for you and question your character; can you blame them? Show up as you are with a pure and kind heart toward others.
Women have grown in leadership and are still making leads in society. Follow these ten tips to be the best possible female leader for years to come.
Jennifer D.
CONTRIBUTOR
Jennifer Duplessie is a senior at Texas A&M University pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in political communications incorporating her passion for writing and photography.
