The right mindset, along with a robust support network, can do much to help women in their careers. Dawn Leane explains the four factors that have contributed to the career accomplishments of successful women in business
In my last article, I shared details of a research study carried out by Fiona Dent and Viki Holton for their book, Women in Business: Navigating Career Success, in which successful women revealed the factors that either encouraged or inhibited their careers.
Now, we need to look at the factors the participants in that study identified as crucial to promoting and supporting their achievements.
Personal work attitude
Resilience is essential for women as they navigate hidden challenges and barriers their male counterparts do not face. This includes a strong work ethic and the ability to manage adversity.
In her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, psychologist Carol Dweck contends that, from early childhood, we develop one of two mindsets: a fixed mindset or a growth mindset.
People with a growth mindset believe that, with effort, we can develop our skills, abilities and talents. They also focus on learning from positive and negative experiences and persevere when facing adversity. In contrast, those with a fixed mindset believe success is based on innate ability.
By understanding, challenging and adjusting our mindset, we can change our career trajectory, relationships and happiness.
Supportive family and friends
In her book Couples That Work, Jennifer Petriglieri discusses how dual career couples face challenges that are usually framed as a zero-sum game, where one partner succeeds at the expense of the other.
Couples who thrive develop what Petrigilieri terms a ‘secure base’, meaning both partners are supportive and encourage each other to take risks. The support role is interchangeable. Sometimes, one person is the support, and at other times they are the one being supported.
Many participants in Dent and Holton’s study valued the support of their partner, family and friends in achieving success. Having a ‘secure base’ is one of the ways in which women can gain support needed to thrive.
Organisational support
The support of managers and colleagues is also crucial to women developing their careers.
In response to the question “During your career, please indicate the people who have supported you in achieving your goals?”, 87.6 percent of Dent and Holton’s study participants identified their bosses, and 79.9 percent identified colleagues.
Almost all participants highlighted the importance of their manager offering encouragement, providing challenging opportunities and the psychological safety of being allowed to experiment and fail.
The manager is also crucial to one of the most pivotal points in a woman’s career: maternity leave.
Research carried out by Dublin City University, Re-Engaging Talent Post- Maternity Leave: Enablers and Barriers to Positive Reintegration, identified that: “one of the critical factors in determining how women experienced the transition back into work after maternity leave was the perspective management had on maternity leave and this transition in a woman’s career. We saw many positive examples where line managers and/or the organisation viewed their maternity leave as a brief interlude in the individual’s long-term career. In these organisations, the females often reported a positive transition back after leave”.
Developmental opportunities, such as a willingness to study for more qualifications and continuing personal and professional development, were also identified as essential factors, as were moving regularly and gaining international experience.
Self-awareness
A strong awareness of individual skills, career goals and taking advantage of opportunities were also associated with career success. Being unashamedly intentional and strategic about their ambition can feel uncomfortable for women because of their experience and societal conditioning.
Having a sponsor, coach or mentor at key junctures allows women to access experience, further develop self-confidence and judgement and remain on track when navigating barriers to success.
Dawn Leane is Founder of Leane Leaders and Leane Empower. In October, she will deliver a workshop for aspiring female leaders, Women in Leadership, Navigating the Environment.