How Successful Women Sustain Career Momentum: A Guide to Break the Glass Ceiling and Keep Climbing
October 19, 2023
Hello, dear readers of Women Rising Strong. We’re here today to delve into something extraordinary, something that I believe is the linchpin to not just starting well in one’s career but also sustaining that elusive momentum. As many of you know, my work revolves around stories of resilience, empowerment, and triumph over adversity, and today's topic encapsulates all of these.
Recently, an enlightening article by Brenda F. Wensil and Winifred Ernst surfaced, titled "How Successful Women Sustain Career Momentum." As someone who writes extensively on women's empowerment and the journey towards achieving greatness, I found it both insightful and worthy of further discussion. So, let’s break down their findings and explore how they align with what we stand for here at Women Rising Strong.
The Stagnation Problem
Jackie, a chemist who wanted to pivot to the strategy side of business, found herself stonewalled with the frustrating refrain, "You're just a chemist." Like Jackie, many women face this feeling of lost momentum in their careers. It's not just a woman’s issue; it's a societal issue that tends to plague women more significantly, often amplified for women of color.
Three Behaviors to Sustain Career Momentum
According to Wensil and Ernst's research, successful women generally exhibit at least two of the three following behaviors:
1. Focused Drive
Imagine your goals as a towering mountain. Whether it’s a setback or a moment of self-doubt, you're bound to encounter obstacles on your way up. The difference between those who make it to the top and those who don’t is often sheer tenacity. Successful women, like Lydia, who aims to be a CEO, see every experience as a stepping stone towards their ultimate goal.
2. Incessant Desire to Learn
Successful women not only have the capacity to learn but an incessant hunger for it. They constantly seek out opportunities that will challenge them, sharpen their skills, and broaden their knowledge base. Mary, who started as an attorney and is now a CEO, had the audacity to say, "Teach me finance from scratch." She’s a living testament to how far the hunger for learning can take you.
3. Agile Mindset
Being agile means being adaptable to the situations and challenges that life throws at you. Jen, for example, moved from being an excellent chief administrative officer to becoming the CFO and president of a global corporation. Adaptability is the hallmark of an agile mindset, and successful women know when to pivot to seize new opportunities.
Resetting Your Career Momentum
Switching lanes in your career, known as a 'pivot,' is often necessary to regain or sustain momentum. Here are some key takeaways for when you're considering such a move:
- Let Your Career Goals Guide You: Before making a pivot, it should align with your broader career goals.
- Have Epic Clarity on Your Personal Brand: Know your worth and how others perceive you. It’s crucial for regaining momentum.
- Look for Every Opportunity to Learn: Whether it's a new project or a new role, take it as a learning experience.
The women in Wensil and Ernst's study were unafraid to pivot, switch industries, or even go back to square one in a new field, just like Jackie, who eventually broke through to a C-level role.
In closing, sustaining career momentum is like rowing against the current. It takes strength, skill, and above all, an unyielding will. The successful women of our times are showing us how it's done. Let’s learn from them.
Before you go, reflect on these questions and share your thoughts in the comments below:
1. How do you sustain momentum in your career?
2. Have you ever felt stuck in your professional journey? If so, what strategies did you use to regain your career momentum?
Thank you for being part of Women Rising Strong, where we celebrate and elevate women in all their glorious strength and resilience. Until next time, keep rising, keep shining!
Warm regards,
S.A. Sterling
Your insights and stories are invaluable, so please do share them with our community. We rise by lifting others. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
Read the original article by Brenda F. Wensil and Winifred Ernst here.
Remember, empowered women empower women.