Women, Ladies, Girls…

Are you looking to lead a team? Are you leading a team? Do you wish to become an indomitable leader? 

After working for the fiercest women leading teams in prominent, very competitive companies/firms/industries, I’ve noted core characteristics ubiquitous to them all.

First, I’ve only met four of these women, because I’ve only worked for four top tier organizations, which right off the cuff the rumors circulating boss female leaders got my attention first and foremost. 

They were feared. Full stop. Put a period here. 

To be honest, they scared me to the point that my sole preoccupation while working under their leadership was always, “get the job done and go the hell home.”

I used to think working for men might be easier. While all good leaders are tough and their expectations high, with men there just didn’t seem to be this other energy hanging around. I’m speaking of this air that we, women, had to succeed. We couldn’t make mistakes. Tension was thick. No room to chill and let our guard down.

But here’s the thing, the other side of the coin, being mission driven is not scary if the whole point is going to work to accomplish a common goal.

Diplomatic but direct women are beneficial to efficiently accomplishing tasks.

Humble female leaders lessen friction.

Now, these women won’t likely land at the top of any lists for a sense of humor, at least not while on the J.O.B! 

Of course, indomitable female leaders are smart, the main reason they are so feared. If you mess up, don’t even bother to lie because they will find out.

Bringing me to how valuable female leaders find loyalty. Performing at the highest levels require trust of those around you, and vice versa. 

Great leaders do not micromanage. I can hear them now. “If I have to stand over you all day, telling you to do this, and say that, I might as well do the job myself!” 

For other celebrations, I just finished reading the first book of my reading challenge. Good book (Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington …other thoughts here) except I couldn’t get rehabilitation out of my mind. And not rehabilitation for me per say, given it’s hard to tell since I’m only 20%, or a fifth way into this dare, but Mr. Washington’s autobiography got me to thinking deeply about those indebted to helping (or rehabilitating) descendants of the benighted …through education.

Suggested ‘Boss Lady’ Reading (All Memoirs):

A Mysterious Life and Calling by Charolette S. Riley

Connie by Connie Chung

Don’t Block the Blessings by Patti LaBelle

Every Day I’m Hustling by Vivica Fox

Extraordinary, Ordinary People by Condoleezza Rice

Farewell, My Beijing by Chi Newman

I Tried to Change So You Don’t Have To by Loni Love

Listen to the Squawking Chicken by Elaine Lui

Never in My Wildest Dreams by Belva Davis

Not the Mother I Remember by Amber Lea Starfire

Not Without My Daughter by Betty Mahmoody

Positive by Paige Rawl

Rabbit by Patricia Williams

Shark Tales by Barbara Corcoran

The Beauty in Breaking by Michele Harper

The Book of Joan by Melissa Rivers

The Cost of Hope by Amanda Bennett

The Lobster Chronicles by Linda Grennlaw

This Child Will Be Great by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Troublemaker by Leah Remini

View From Break Pocket Mountain by Karen Hill Anton

When We Were Colored by Eva Rutland

You Have No Idea by Vanessa Williams and Helen Williams

Celebrating the month, today and always.

#WomensHistoryMonth #FemaleBosses #HappyReading #EducationIsKey #JustBlogged