10 Powerful Women Executives Share How to Thrive as a Leader

This story originally appeared on Authority Magazine

Leading a large company can be challenging. At the same time, it can be an opportunity for tremendous personal and professional growth.

Authority Magazine recently ran an interview series called “Women of the C-Suite,” where hundreds of women executives shared the leaderships lessons about how one can thrive both personally and professionally in a leadership position.

Here are 10 highlights from the interviews.

These interviews have been edited for length and clarity. 

Related: 10 Women Wellness Entrepreneurs Share Strategies to Optimize Our Mental and Emotional Well-Being

Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz (President of the Charles Schwab Foundation)

1. My advice — is to not always follow advice. Look inside yourself for your answers. I learned this lesson when I was an undergraduate at the University of California Berkeley and was trying to zero in on my major. I liked math, especially statistics, and wanted to pursue it more. I especially liked the way numbers had their own truth, the way they could tell a story. All that ended abruptly on the day that the dean unleashed his dose of professorial advice. I can’t remember his exact words, but the message was loud and clear: “Don’t major in statistics; you don’t have the grades; try something less demanding.” As a young woman, I believed this man — and abandoned all hopes of becoming a mathematician. Was he right or wrong about my abilities? Honestly, I don’t know (although I suspect he was wrong, given that I went on to have a successful career in finance). But I definitely know that he was wrong to discourage me from finding out. Yes, it’s smart to seek guidance from others who are in a position to know more than you do. And yes, it helps to consider different perspectives, ideas and points of view. But remember never to let anyone discourage you from pursuing something (or someone) that you love. Don’t let anyone trample your curiosity. Listen to yourself!
2. I’m a big believer in to-do lists. I learned a long time ago to make a list and put a little box Related: 10 Top Executives at 10 Household-Name Companies Share the Things They Wish They Knew From the Start

   Diana Takach (SVP at David’s Bridal)

   

   1. Never stop asking questions or stop looking to push the envelope. You have to have a voice at the table but ensure that your views are with purpose and results. Additionally, not every impact has to be big. Sometimes the short-term over the long-term ones have the larger impact.
   2. You have to build trust. No trust, no action. I find it most important to take the time to understand how things are done, get to know the individuals as best you can, and understand their motivators as individuals and as a group. I’m currently in the throes of this process being new to David’s Bridal and hope to lead the team in a way that we all feel a sense of community accomplishment, no matter what comes our way.
   3. Listen first and keep listening. There is too much history to be ignored before you make a decision.
   4. Don’t be afraid to fall. Especially in digital, things are changing every second, there will be wins and losses — but the losses are what teach the lessons.
   5. Demonstrate consistency and results in order to build trust.
   6. Have fun! You spend more time with your team/coworkers than your family; make it worth your time!

   Tracy Skeans (Chief Transformation and People Officer at Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Yum! Brands)

   

   1. Stay open to possibilities. If you would have told me coming out of school as a CPA that I would work in human resources, run a global brand and help guide a Fortune 500 company through a massive business transformation, I wouldn’t have thought it was possible.
   2. Don’t be fearful of running too fast. I encourage people to be courageous and take strategic risks. At Yum! we believe that our leaders must be “smart with heart” and have the courage to make the big decisions that will drive our business forward. Our most successful leaders have a growth mindset and they’re always looking down the road versus seeing what’s directly in front of them. I believe that if someone doesn’t stumble a few times to reach their goal, they probably aren’t pushing hard enough for big results.
   3. Lead with grit and grace. Growing up in Pittsburgh and being raised Related: 10 Top Executives at 10 Household-Name Companies Share the Things They Wish They Knew From the Start

      Denise Lauer (CMO at Morton Salt)

      

      1. Be you. Not a version of yourself. By bringing your whole self and embracing what makes you unique as a female leader, you will connect with your team on a more holistic level that can lift everyone up. And don’t forget to have fun! We all spend too much time at work to not enjoy it.
      2. No matter if your team is large or small, focus on a few core principles. Treat everyone with respect. Communicate early and often. Give your team the tools they need to do good work. Empower team members to lead. And get out of the way.
      3. Never settle. This isn’t about the pursuit of perfectionism. It’s about setting a standard that you uphold without compromise. That commitment can take you to extraordinary places.
      4. Be impatient. We’ve all heard that patience is a virtue. But don’t waste time waiting for life to happen to you. Play an active role in the change you desire.
      5. Recognize others. Chances are, you didn’t make it this far in life alone. So celebrate those who have supported you along the way.
      6. Stay curious. In the workplace and life, learning never stops.
      7. Trust your gut. Your instinct is a powerful resource. Don’t ignore it.

      Cara Brennan Allamano (SVP at Udemy)

      

      1. Don’t limit yourself. I started working at both Pinterest and Planet when I was five-months pregnant. Both times, I didn’t believe anyone would want to hire a woman who was about to have a baby — and I was clearly pregnant at all those interviews! Fortunately, I was wrong; both CEOs had total confidence in me. As a result, I had a great time building out the people functions at both companies, knowing they really valued women and families and were showing their commitment in tangible ways.
      2. Know what you’re good at. I had two jobs in my early 20s before I landed in HR. Prior to that career pivot, I was on track to be a bond trader, which involved a lot of analysis and spreadsheets and was very different from what I knew I inherently enjoyed doing. I got advice from lots of people, many of whom said I was crazy to give up a strong career path in finance. I was pretty good at it, but I knew I couldn’t reach my full potential doing it if my heart wasn’t in it. It took a little courage, but I quit that job and headed into HR. It was the best decision of my life. I’m so much more successful on my current career path than I ever would have been had I stayed in finance because it’s a better fit for my strengths. When people seek out my advice about how to manage their career, I always ask first, “What do you like doing? What part of your job are you good at that are also satisfying and motivating to you?” If you’re in a role where you’re not leveraging your strengths, quit. The sooner the better. Otherwise, you will be forced to change paths later anyway, and you’ll wish you moved earlier.
      3. Know what you’re not good at. I see a lot of people who try to fit themselves into a role they “should” succeed at. It rarely works in the long term. I’ve been in HR positions where the requirements of the role weren’t what I could deliver at a level I’m comfortable with. In those situations, I’ve had to get real about it and move on. Being honest with yourself about what you can’t do well is critical. Ask colleagues how they would rate you in your role, and if they don’t think you’re performing at a high level, ask them what they think you’d be better off doing. You have to be prepared to hear some hard truths, and you may be surprised at the answers. Either way, the information could put you on the path toward something that will be your best work.
      4. Know what you need to know. When I started in HR, I realized that the people I respected most in the function knew employment law inside and out. It’s a huge value-add to have an HR leader who has a strong foundation in the “rules” of employment so you can build a great culture on top of that. I bought the encyclopaedic “California Labor Law Digest” and read it cover to cover. This was not exciting content, to say the least, and people thought I was crazy, but I’ve been able to move faster because I don’t need attorneys to review all of the People Team’s plans. I can partner better with them and others because I’m knowledgeable myself.
      5. Get a hobby. The best employees I’ve seen are those who bring a lot of different insights to their roles. Most often this comes from something they’re engaged in outside their professional domain. I’ve had Olympic divers become amazing salespeople, surfers excel as attorneys and HR people who love to garden. They learn skills and habits in their hobbies that are positively reflected in their day jobs. Plus, it’s just a great way to bring more balance and resilience into your life. My personal hobby is world history; I read a ton and watch programs and travel to places of historical note. Learning about real-life stories that are full of success, failure and everything in between helps me develop empathy and a clearer view of the diversity of human experience. I use this everyday in my work.