Lessons to take away from women leaders around the world

Women have come a long way and have been making waves across the business world. To name a few, we have Indra Nooyi, current Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo, Chanda Kochhar, the managing director and chief executive officer of ICICI Bank , Shikha Sharma (MD and CEO, Axis Bank). 

While on the one hand women in business do take on top corporate positions, women leaders are still a rare breed. Many talented and qualified women professionals tend to drop out of the corporate race to take care of responsibilities at home. Those that do stay on, either lack resources, the know-how or attitude to reach the top.

But there are some who do insist that it is indeed possible to achieve both personal and professional dreams. Here are a few words on leadership and life from some such inspiring women leaders,

“Don’t just stand for the success of other women – insist on it.” – Gail Blanke, President and CEO, Lifedesigns

 The core message here - promote your own success and that of your tribe (other women). There is after all magic in numbers. Together we can grow!

“I learned to always take on things I’d never done before. Growth and comfort do not coexist.” – Virginia Rometty, CEO, IBM

 What can we take away from this quote? It’s important to try new things and it’s okay if you fail.

“Realize that success and balance go hand in hand.” – Arianna Huffington, President and Editor-in-chief, Huffington Post

 We agree with Arianna Huffington here. The surest way to happiness and success is indeed a balanced life.

“Never undervalue yourself.” – Susan Solovic – Author of It's Your Biz

Women do tend to undervalue themselves. Always consider yourself worthy of everything – big paycheck, promotions, marriage, motherhood, & most of all – happiness.

“There is nothing like a concrete life plan to weigh you down. Because if you always have one eye on some future goal, you stop paying attention to the job at hand, miss opportunities that might arise, and stay fixedly on one path, even when a better, newer course might have opened up.”  -- Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo

It's true that being flexible and open to change is important in business and life in general, change is after all the only constant. 

“I have a theory that burnout is about resentment. And you beat it by knowing what it is you're giving up that makes you resentful.” – Marissa Mayer, CEO, Yahoo

Find out what’s important to you – keep it sacred. Know how much you’re willing to compromise on various fronts of your life to achieve a particular goal.

"If you are successful, it is because somewhere, sometime, someone gave you a life or an idea that started you in the right direction. Remember also that you are indebted to life until you help some less fortunate person, just as you were helped.” – Melinda Gates, Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Together we can grow or individually we can fall. Help others in need; pass on the goodness. Be a mentor and a guide once you reach the top.

“Getting ahead in a difficult position requires avid faith in yourself. That is why some people with mediocre talent, but with great inner drive, go much further than people with vastly superior talent.” - Sophia Loren

What can we take away from this quote? Probably that attitude matters and a good attitude can take you places.

By Kontent Factory

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