Growing numbers of successful companies are now launched and run by female bosses. But being successful in business doesn’t happen by accident, it’s something you have strive for, drive towards and then nurture.
Having a mantra can help keep you, your ambition and your company on the track to success.
Regardless of your sector or your standing there will be another woman who has walked a similar path to yours.
Whilst there’s no one mantra that will set you on that path to success, if the road gets rocky – and it’s bound to do at some point – you might need a confidence boosting snippet to keep you going.
From self-made billionaires, to global mega stars and a stalwart from Dragon’s Den, we’ve curated some of the best advice soundbites we could find.
As 2018 has been heralded as the year of women, here are some of the world’s most successful women’s business mantras.
From authenticity to self-belief and workplace mindfulness these smart sisters have coined some of the best positive vibes going.
Be authentic
“True leadership stems from individuality that is honestly and sometimes imperfectly expressed... Leaders should strive for authenticity over perfection.”
Sheryl Sandberg, COO, Facebook
Self-belief
“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.”
Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, and the World’s Youngest Female Billionaire.
It’s about survival
“Nobody talks about entrepreneurship as a survival, but that’s exactly what it is and what nurtures creative thinking. Running that first shop taught me business is not financial science; it’s about trading: buying and selling.”
The late Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop
Be mindful of the present
“There is nothing like a concrete life plan to weigh you down. Because if you always have one eye on some future goal, you stop paying attention to the job at hand, miss opportunities that might arise, and stay fixedly on one path, even when a better, newer course might have opened up.”
Indra Nooyi, CEO PepsiCo
Know your marketplace
“Focus and tenacity: understand the market, people, competition and the opportunities.”
Hilary Devey, CBE, businesswoman, from her autobiography, Bold as Brass: My Story
Be present in the present
“You absolutely must have a plan in business and in life. But if you look too far ahead, you might lose the benefits of living in the present - it is where conversation, inspiration, happiness, peace and success lie - it’s the here and now!”
Tracey Woodward, CEO, Aromatherapy Associates
Don’t label yourself
“There are prejudices against all sorts, all around us, all of the time - you give power to prejudice by recognising it. If you ignore it, it’s an amazingly powerful thing.”
I’m in business - full stop. And that’s the strongest message you can send. Do not think of yourself as ‘I’m a woman in business’ - just do your thing. Just be good at it!”
Deborah Meaden, Investor, Dragon’s Den
Don’t split the work ‘you’ from the home ‘you’
“Bring your whole self to work. I don’t believe we have a professional self Monday through Friday and a real self the rest of the time. It is all professional, and it is all personal.”
Sheryl Sandberg, CEO, Facebook
Avoid complacency
“If you’re too comfortable it’s time to move on. Terrified of what’s next? You’re on the right track.”
Susan Fales-Hill, author & broadcaster
Believe in yourself
“Spend less time tearing yourself apart, worrying if you’re good enough. You are good enough.”
Reese Witherspoon, actress & businesswoman