Albana Vrioni, Executive & Leadership coach. Transformation advisor, Change strategist and Facilitator. CEO & Founder of Vrioni Consulting.
Fitting more than just your to-do list in a day can rock but is definitely not a comparative advantage you want to bet on. In business leadership, women CEOs who are increasingly making their mark and breaking barriers are also redefining success. One area that sets them apart is how they leverage their comparative advantage.
I was inspired by a conversation I had with the CEO of Balfin Group, Edlira Muka, whose remarkable growth in an industry dominated by men reveals some common traits of women who break barriers and keep being successful. Women who grow as leaders in developing countries and industries, which tend to be overwhelming in terms of direct involvement and being “always on,” can use these seven ways to stand out by leveraging their comparative advantage:
1. Understanding What Your Zone Of Excellence Is
Figure out what you love doing, actively spend time doing and are great at. This is tricky, as these three elements build on each other. Passion is nothing more than greatness developed through a commitment to continuous learning by doing.
2. Crafting The Ability To Recognize When To Dive Deep, When To Partner And When To Stay Out Of The Way
Developing a self-imposed habit of curiosity and problem-solving helps you craft work discipline and be meticulous and persistent. In return, it can help you build expertise, earn the respect of colleagues and shape your situational leadership.
Awareness of solid expertise makes it a lot easier to recognize when and where it is best for you to dive in versus when and where you need to stay out of the way and let others take charge. It’s a comparative advantage that women can cultivate, allowing them to become reliable go-to persons within their organizations.
3. Earning Unwavering Sponsorship
Perhaps the most crucial factor in women’s rise to the CEO level is earning the trust of their main sponsor. This is as much a character trait as it is a skill that is forged through intentional learning. Firm sponsorship is a fundamental advantage for women aspiring to top leadership positions as well as for those performing in such positions.
Read More at: Forbes Coaches Council
