Recently I did a podcast interview where I was asked about my work coaching high-level Executive women. I pointed out to the host that because of these women’s financial compensation, their social status, and the impact they have inside global Enterprise companies, they are some of the most powerful women in history.
I think I blew the host’s mind! She seemed genuinely astonished, but it’s 100% true.
Yet these women are not accidentally successful. It’s not fate, luck, chance or karma that got them into high-level positions with all that power. They did it with hard work, and dedicated strategies and habits that support that work.
Today I’m going to share five Power Habits that my clients have in common. If you want to join them, you’ll need every single one of these:
They don’t have a side hustle. They are 100% dedicated to their job, and they maintain laser-focused on those actions and tasks. This is what makes them valuable experts who are called on by Senior leaders to make all kinds of decisions. Eventually those same leaders will need a succession plan, and that can mean big promotions for my clients, who are trusted for their high-level expertise and grace under pressure.
They put Power Boundaries around their time and energy. In order for them to find a work/life balance, they are ruthless about these boundaries, which they enforce regularly. This is what enables them to have time for family and friends, and to enjoy the vacations they are able to take. Power Boundaries also help them stay healthy and strong, so they can maintain stamina over long periods of time.
They simplify their appearance. I always know when a client has decided to take her career seriously because she cuts her hair shorter, and wears it in a simple style that is easy to maintain. Simplifying everything, from hair to makeup to wardrobe, is a reclaiming of important mental focus and time. Many of these women will also create a type of “uniform” for themselves, usually a blazer with strong shoulders, a collared shirt, and a power accessory like a designer bag, coat or shoes. They do this so they don’t have to think about what to wear to work every day.
They don’t fear conflict, and they don’t avoid it. They understand that friction is a normal part of high-level discussions, and they know how to respond rather than react when faced with conflicts. They act strategically in everything they do and say, and they learn how to make maximum impact with their communication.
They take charge of their own professional development. Most often this means coaching. Once they realize that the highest-level Senior leaders around them are NOT just born confident and impactful, but are in fact being coached on their executive skills, they decide to do the same.
I’ll offer one last habit, which I coach my clients to work with every single day: think beyond your limitations! Executive coaching can make the difference between dreaming of your ideal career and achieving it. I work with clients from all over the world, including executives at Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Cisco and other companies. I also work with senior staff at government agencies, nonprofits, finance and law firms, and startups. Contact me with questions about my coaching packages and group trainings.