What sets apart women entrepreneurs who rise to the top and achieve their ambitious goals? Traits like unwavering vision, strategic pivots, and commanding visibility and respect in their industries play a key role.
Curious about other game-changing habits? We tapped 10 accomplished members of the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC)—proven leaders with real-world experience—for their firsthand insights. Here's what successful women do differently. What would you add?
1. They turn being underrated into a superpower.
Every successful woman I know has stories of being underappreciated. Top performers flip this into a strength and thrive. Own your confidence and your place in the boardroom—you're not there for decoration. Stay laser-focused and get the job done.
—Lisa Song Sutton, Sin City Cupcakes
2. They prioritize progress over perfection.
Socialized to make everything 'pretty and perfect,' many women fall into perfectionism traps that stall momentum. I broke free by framing new ideas as 'experiments.' Test for a few weeks, review results, and act swiftly. Progress beats paralysis.
—Rachel Beider, Modern Massage Press
3. They demand recognition for their wins.
Research highlights a 'confidence gap' holding women back from applying for stretch roles or negotiating raises. Successful women counter this by proactively showcasing achievements and insisting on the credit they deserve.
—Lisa Curtis, Kuli Kuli Foods
4. They take action amid uncertainty.
Rather than waiting for total confidence, high-achievers act first. True learning—and progress—comes from trial, error, and iteration. No one has business or life fully figured out; bold steps despite fear drive breakthroughs.
—Nathalie Lussier, AccessAlly
5. They lift each other up.
There's room for all women to thrive—no need for cutthroat competition. Successful leaders motivate peers, fostering collective success. Ditch jealousy; it only diverts energy from your own path to fulfillment.
—Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms
6. They mentor the next generation.
Mentoring keeps you grounded. As you climb, perspectives shift, but those 10-12 years behind face unique hurdles—often unlike your own early challenges. Sharing wisdom bridges that gap effectively.
—Shilpi Sharma, Kvantum Inc.
7. They master reading body language.
Women's innate empathy hones exceptional intuition for nonverbal cues—honed from nurturing roles like reading infants' subtle signals. This superpower equips business leaders to better understand, manage, and inspire teams.
—Kelly Richardson, Infobrandz
8. They openly share ideas.
The tide has turned: Fear of idea theft is fading as collaboration rises. Women lead by example, freely exchanging successes and strategies to collectively build and learn—elevating everyone.
—Kerry Guard, MKG Marketing
9. They host power networking gatherings.
A hallmark of my successful peers: Curating intimate leadership meetups, from group lunches to retreats. Hosted at homes or as trips, these blend personal stories, business wisdom, and quality connections among top networks.
—Nanxi Liu, Enplug
10. They defy conventional norms.
Girls are often taught to be 'nice, sweet, and pretty,' curbing risk-taking and fueling perfection obsessions. Successful women shatter these molds—embracing scrappiness, fearlessness, and standing out, even as the lone woman in the room.
—Daisy Jing, Ban
