Every aspiring entrepreneur questions their ability to become one. So, what does it take to succeed? Persistence and will are key.
But, although true, those are clichés that go for all walks of life. If you’re determined to become a successful businesswoman, you’ll have to get down to the nitty-gritty.
No Clichés Allowed
No one can be optimistic at all times. In fact, you can end up making poor business decisions if you’re always an optimist at the wrong time.
A successful entrepreneur doesn’t always insist on being in the lead. Knowing how to be a team player is essential.
You don’t have to be a “people” person to move up in the business world. Instead, you must have a good understanding of your coworkers, supervisors, and subordinates.
And, who doesn’t get along with easy-going folks? They are usually a joy to work with.
So you can scratch “people person” off of your resume. The real question is – can you work with whinny, difficult, annoying people?
If you do a good job, you’ll receive compliments, sure, but you’ll still get more demands, complaints, and grievances from customers and employees. The important thing is to know how to handle such people and not let them weigh you down.
Don’t make emotional decisions that are meant to please others. Instead, try to put your feelings aside. That will help you make logical, fact-based business decisions.
Also, you don’t need to be a “creative” person. Having an open mind will get you much further.
Three Qualities to Develop
- The most important asset: networking.
- Proper attitude: Not giving up when things get tough.
- The right personality: having thick skin.
If you already have them, good! But if not, don’t sweat it. This is something you can work on. And they are key assets for managing a company.
You’ll also need a few precursors – ability, desire, and willingness to learn new skills and acquire new habits. Thick skin is something people are usually born with. However, with a bit of practice, you can master it.
Networking is a skill you can learn. And a proper attitude is something you can adopt. All successful businesswomen have one thing in common – the right mindset.
Networking
Creating a strong network will get you further in the corporate world than anything else. You can set the bar high for yourself, but you will never know everything, nor will you be able to do everything.
You’ll isolate your business if you isolate yourself. Even if you’re operating as a lone wolf, that doesn’t mean you can’t establish a network. For example, if you are an aspiring trader, you might rely on reputable online investment brokers to do most of your business.
But, make sure to hang out with them in person as well. You can still go to seminars, courses, and conferences. Always have a business card on your person. Use every social and personal opportunity.
One can network in the online realm as well. Participate in e-mail discussion lists and relevant forums and chat rooms.
Attitude
Not to bring you down, but a healthy dose of pessimism can help you make less risky decisions, as it enables you to look at things more realistically. Moreover, how you respond to a situation is even more important than how you see it.
And most importantly: refuse to quit when things get ugly. Even the most successful among us have to deal with situations that aren’t quite happy.
But, that’s just short-term. Always keep in mind what you’ll get from it in the long run.
If you see some of your accomplishments as less than perfect and aren’t happy with that, you should work harder to get better results next time. Don’t confuse tenacity with stubbornness.
A stubborn person refuses to accept the need for change and stands in denial of a problem. A tenacious person refuses to give up on something.
Instead of despairing, they consider possible solutions. A “can do” attitude will help you work through problems.
Thick Skin
You’ll have a hard time accepting new changes and ideas if you take everything personally. You also won’t be able to get the most out of your employees.
Always solicit and consider the opinions of others. If you want to succeed, you need to listen to new ideas. Don’t rebuke opposing opinions. Instead, learn to value them.
Your startup will stay on the cutting edge if you know how to accept constructive criticism. No matter how hard you try, you can’t see every potential problem on your own.
Use the eyes and ears of others. Of course, you don’t have to act on every suggestion. Just hearing out people will make them feel more valued.
It’s also a proven way of inspiring loyalty. Asking for input is a way of building your own, small public relations network.
Conclusion
You don’t have to travel all by yourself on the road to success. Find inspiration in other successful women. Seek out a mentor.
A successful businesswoman will never see you as competition. Instead, they’ll see you as a part of the team. And they always have a word of advice for fledgling entrepreneurs.
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