Know Thyself

In previous blogs, I wrote about some of the key success strategies I found in my research on professional women. Now, I'm going to start elaborating on each strategy to provide a better understanding of how to develop as a leader, not matter what level you are in an organization.

The first strategy of success as a professional woman is to know yourself. When I first started as a professional, and had the opportunity to speak with various managers and mentors, I wasn't yet clear about what I had to offer as a leader or even, what I wanted to do and that came across in my conversations. As a result, because I wasn't clear, neither was anyone else. No one quite knew what to do with me or for me as I didn’t know myself. The clearer I became however about who I was as a professional and what I had to offer, the clearer I was able to communicate this to my market (managers, mentors and sponsors). As a result, the clearer my market became on what to do with me or for me.

What does knowing yourself mean? It means to know your:

• Skill set

• Strengths - what do you do well? What professional talents have others noted? When have others asked you for help on a particular task or project because of your strength or expertise? In what areas are you exceptionally competent? How can you maximize your strengths?

• Growth opportunities (a.k.a. weaknesses) - what areas do you need to develop? What feedback have you received from peers, managers and subordinates about these areas? What tasks, if you can, can you delegate to a more skilled person, allowing you to minimize your weaknesses?

• Personality - how well do you get along with others? How have others described your personality and what feedback have you received? What personalities do you like and not like working with? Are you able to adjust to different personalities?

• Boundaries - when do you know you can push yourself beyond your comfort zone and when is it time to stop? What are you not willing and able to do to achieve your goals?

Although possibilities are endless, once you know your strengths and growth opportunities, the impact your personality has on your market and your boundaries, then you are able to identity and understand the environment around you and set your intentions on the impact you desire make in your professional life. Remember, it's about living today on Purpose!

Until next time!

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