1. Determination
Most of the Influential Women alumni can tell you there is no such thing as a free ticket to success. Often, there isn’t even a roadmap; many of the Influential Women have chosen to build their own pathways to their goals. For some, this came in the form of a new business concept or the establishment of a new company, while others had to break cultural norms to succeed in their industries. Each story is unique, much like the Influential Women themselves.
2. Creativity
When challenges arise, sometimes solutions are hard to come by. So much so that entire new ways of thinking are required to overcome them. Among the former Influential Women winners, one thing is clear: their ability to develop ideas never previously conceived helped elevate them to where they are today. A little bit of creativity can certainly go a long way.
3. Ingenuity
Whether it’s a company or a community that we’re talking about, problems arise fast and often need to be rectified rapidly. The ability to be resourceful and think on their feet is what distinguishes Influential Women from their peers.
4. Bravery
It’s not easy being a woman in many industries, particularly in historically male-oriented fields. But that’s never stopped our Influential Women alumni. Their courage has enabled them to serve as examples for others, reversing trends and opening new doors to successful and lucrative careers for women.
5. Adaptability / Flexibility
Business and community leaders need to possess the ability to be flexible over the long term and adapt to their industry’s ebbs and flows. Things change all the time. We frequently hear about the rapid pace of technological advancements in industries like healthcare and manufacturing, as well as the need for skilled workers to fill open positions in those fields. In the public policy sector, new developments emerge every year as cultural shifts bring about change and new challenges. A willingness to keep an open mind and remain receptive to these new developments is what sets a successful leader apart from the rest over the duration of their careers.