We are all aware that diversity is good for business, and yet women are still extremely underrepresented in the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies. Although there have been improvements all over the world, biases and systemic barriers are still making the move up the ranks more difficult for women.
Here is some advice from the trailblazing women that have worked through these challenges and made it to the top.
- “I also say to my team: Do 10% of your job badly. It’s okay to do something badly. Perfectionism prevents us from taking double steps in our career. We think that we have to be perfect, but we don’t.”
Reshma Saujani, Girls Who Code
- “Trust in yourself, believe that your voice matters, and know that your words are good enough.”
Amber Gordan, Femsplain
- “Do what moves the needle. In order to beat bigger, more established competition, you need to be as efficient as possible. You can only do that by learning what works and doubling down on that. And even more importantly, learn what doesn’t work and ignore that entirely.”
Karla Steves, GraphicSprings
- “A diversity of thought, perspective and culture is important in any field, not just engineering. Surround yourself with people who support you and get involved in (coding) programs”
Sarah Friar, Square
- “There is no secret to success. Although, there are a few things I notice in mentoring other women who are getting started and I even noticed in myself that will help accelerate success. Firstly, getting over self doubt and lack of confidence. Secondly, going after it and taking a risk to accomplish a goal without getting into your head that you aren’t good enough.”
Daina Trout, Health-Ade Kombucha
- “My advice to women in tech, and women who want to start their own companies, is to be joyful and passionate – maybe some people will call these ‘feminine’ traits – but don’t allow people to convince you that you are on the wrong path… You need to tap into what might be conventionally perceived as a strong masculine drive but hold on to and highlight what might be conventionally perceived as feminine enthusiasm.”
Jean Brownhill Lauer, Sweeten
- “Grit, surrounding yourself with the right people. What ever talents I didn’t have in myself I would find it in other people. Also,taking care of yourself. If you can’t take care of yourself you will burn out and you won’t be able to show up for your business.”
Sophie Chiche, Shape House
- “Love what you do and do what you love. Doing something new and different requires a level of drive and passion that is really hard to fake. When your heart is behind what you are doing, so much is possible.”
Tracy Sun, Poshmark
- “Don’t be afraid to be you and own it. If you think being a leader is about having some agenda, it’s not. Being a leader is actually being completely honest with who you are and speaking from that place, giving feedback, sharing opinions from that place. That’s why people follow you.”
Danae Ringelmann, Indiegogo