As an advisory board member of the School of Business and Public Management of the University of LaVerne, I participated with the annual Women CEO Forum. I always am inspired listening to the powerful stories of these CEOs, and the hardships they overcame on their journey to success. Do you get away to listen to speakers like these? I am always surprised how energizing it can be. I always gain a nugget or insight to take our performance to another level. As my consulting mentor says, if you improve 1% a day, in 70 days you are twice as good. Now that is imminently achievable and impressive!
The key takeaways from the Women CEO Forum included the following:
- Determination – It is without a doubt the reason for my success. It shouldn’t be surprising that it is true for others. Are you undervaluing how important it is to “keep going” and find ways around, over or through obstacles?
- Fail Forward – A powerful insight from one of the panelists. As I always say in speeches on innovation, you have to fail to be successful in innovation. Do we see our failures as ‘failing forward’? Or do we hide under a rock?
- Pivot – Have you thought about when you should pivot and change direction/ strategy? The most successful people have multiple pivots in their careers. Nothing stays the same….the world, our industries, our colleagues. Do you know when it is time to pivot? Surround yourself with people and advisors who will help you!
- Reinvention – If the pivot is when you should change course, reinvention is how you change course deliberately. The most successful people reinvent as a normal course of action. Have you thought about whether what you are doing is just what you’ve always done or if it is the best approach in today’s business environment?
Take a few minutes to think about your takeaways from your career to date. What is responsible for your success? How does it stack up with these insights? Figure out what works for you, GO for it and don’t let obstacles get in your way!