Number of women in top management is gradually growing in recent years. Much has been written about what companies should do to have greater representation of women on boards. Therefore, let's focus now on what women themselves can do to get into top managerial positions. Server CareerBuilder.com brought several practical tips from successful female leaders.
Find a mentor
"For a woman who wants to move into the director's role is very useful to have an advocate in the organization," says Susan Bulkeley Butler, who became the first female partner at consulting firm Accenture. Equally important as having a professional mentor is looking for role models in personal life and learn how they achieved their goals.
Do not fix to gender
"Even though it may be difficult, try to look at your work environment as gender neutral," says PR director of the global company IMG Artists Elizabeth Sobol. The best way to overcome prejudice and discrimination is to hold your own direction and vision.
Do not try to please everyone
Every director must be able to stand behind her opinions even if it is not pleasant to everyone. "Understand that not everyone will like you," says Vice President of PR at Hearst Magazines Jessica Kleiman.
Advancement to the highest positions is really hard work. It means in fact that you have to perform the job even before you officially get it. It does not mean, however, that you have to sacrifice all your personal life to career. Rich personal life makes us paradoxically better leaders. Finally, you can also use natural female leadership advantages such as empathy, multitasking or ability to solve problems.
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