Three Practical Ways For Women To Succeed In Leadership

LaRae Quy is the founder and CEO of the Mental Toughness Center and the producer of Secrets of a Strong Mind, an online training program.

I was assigned to an older training agent on my first day as a new FBI agent. He was friendly, but neither of us had any choice in the situation. He gave me the Bureau’s Bible of laws, rules and guidelines. I chased him down when I needed a procedural question answered, but that was the extent of my training.

It quickly became apparent that no one would hold my hand as I transitioned from being a buyer at a fancy department store to an FBI agent required to carry a gun.

What does someone do when no mentors show them the ropes?

I’ve written before that as a woman in a male-dominated environment, I often found myself being the only woman on the squad and sometimes in the building. I’ve learned that successful women don’t rely solely on mentors because there are other ways to learn the ropes. They never resort to a victim mentality or blame others.

I was raised on a remote cattle ranch in Wyoming, where I learned from an early age that my spunk and grit would help me escape a charging bull, grab a runaway horse and drive a stick-shift truck full of cattle.

My entire life had been a playbook for handling difficult situations. I survived the rough terrain of the cattle ranch, so when I hit a challenge later in life, I realized that I’d already lived through something similar. When no one stepped up to mentor me as a new agent, I didn’t let it get me down. I turned to the playbook of lessons I’d already learned in life.

We’ve all gone through experiences in life that foster emotional and psychological maturity. Embrace the wisdom gained from both positive and adverse events. In doing so, you develop your playbook.

Here are three practical ways for women to succeed in leadership.

1. Make bold moves.

Women have made progress when it comes to employees entering the corporate workforce. But regarding promotions once in the job, a recent study found that only 81 women were promoted to manager roles for every 100 men, for many reasons.

Research from McKinsey indicates that bold moves can lead to higher earnings. Many role changes involve people moving to new organizations. A big move like this makes sense when you find yourself in the wrong occupation or an industry where you are not a good fit.

I was initially drawn to retail and designer clothing. However, as I gained a clearer understanding of my goals and values, I realized that retail and sales were not a good fit for me. I took a bold step and applied to the FBI, which changed my life for the better.

A second bold move involves accepting a position within the same company that demands many new skills. Transitioning to a new role can be beneficial because it significantly stretches our abilities. For example, after years as an investigator, I made a bold move and became the spokesperson for the FBI in northern California. I went from knowing everything about my job to knowing nothing. None of the skills from my previous role were useful in my new one.

How to make it work for you:

• Don’t go after jobs where you already possess the skills to succeed. Reach higher.

• Start networking now for the job you want in the future.

2. Understand that preparedness is key.

Experts claim that women frequently hesitate to ascend the leadership ladder due to a lack of preparation, while men readily seize opportunities when they arise. Women often show a lack of confidence in their ability to contribute and perform in stereotypically male professions. In addition, many employers favor men for jobs in certain fields.

Did I ever doubt myself, surrounded by top-notch investigators with years of experience? Absolutely! That lack of confidence was part of my preparation process. If I didn’t know the answers, I sought them out before the meeting. I needed to do the heavy lifting before I was called on to answer. I walked into every situation prepared to take advantage of the meeting and the opportunity.

This means putting in the sweat equity of understanding the fundamentals and creating a flexible mindset that can help you adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Prepare for the unknown so you can land on your feet; respond rather than react.

How to make it work for you:

• Try something that you’ve never done before. Observe your reaction to the new challenge. How did you prepare for it? Was it enough? How could you prepare better next time?

3. Make your own luck.

Luck isn’t just about chance. It results from a mindset anyone can adopt if they are open to new opportunities. Positive thinkers can better navigate the bumps because they are always looking for opportunities.

I’ve learned our greatest mental toughness weapon is our ability to choose one thought over another. If we’re positive about the events in our lives, we’re more alert to the possibilities surrounding us daily. Science has shown that people in a positive mood take in more visual information, while those in a bad mood often don’t see as much around them.

In other words, positive people look for opportunities. They cultivate conditions that allow luck to find them by being more open to changes in their paths and recognizing possibilities that others might miss.

Growing up, I gained firsthand experience with Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” I was ignored and marginalized by the other kids; I looked different, and I suspect I might have smelled a bit different, too. This education had nothing to do with school; I created my luck by developing the skills to adapt, pivot and take another stand.

How to make it work for you:

• Be awake to the possibilities around you.

• Broaden your social circles.

• Ask, “Why not me?”

Women can succeed in leadership roles by being proactive, prepared and positive—even without traditional mentorship.

Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?