The 6 Cs: Clarity, Competence, Confidence, Compartmentalize, Collaboration and Communication
1. Clarity. We teach people how to treat us based on what we will and will not accept. Clearly define what success means to you so you can focus all of your energy in moving closer to your definition without ever getting distracted by what does not take you there. By doing so, what’s important will never fall through the cracks and what’s not important will not consume your valuable time. Sometimes it’s hard to say “no,” although it is essential that we set boundaries. Learn to redefine failure as just a temporary setback. What I thought of as a setback often was success disguised because of the growth that was experienced.
2. Competence. Men apply for a job when they are 20% qualified; women apply for a job when they are 80% qualified (Kay & Shipman 2014). Don’t become part of this statistic.Excel at every job you have and build new relevant competence. The competence acquired at your current job will not get you your next job. Embrace uncertainty, and take on challenging jobs which force you outside of your comfort zone.
3.Confidence. Take time to reflect upon and celebrate your growth. This builds self confidence. The more confident you are, the more open you will be to stretch assignments, thus creating an upward spiral.
4. Compartmentalize. When at work, be completely present and focused on the task at hand. Most of us have many roles and thinking about all the “other things” can dilute your focus, impacting your work results. Leave your other tasks until you get to them and then be totally present with those tasks. This ability to be present creates a sense of control. Being “out of control,” or extremely busy, can limit your ability to get that next promotion.
5. Collaboration. For most of my career, I was engaged in highly complex organizations with multiple decision makers and influencers, both within IBM and also with our clients and business partners. My ability to work collaboratively with all the stakeholders enabled me to create much more value then each of us individually, leading to success.
6. Communication. Effective communication with stakeholders is key. The style of communication is just as important as the content of the message. How we say what we say can be a bigger factor than what we say. Even when delivering tough messages, do it with respect. Terminating people was the toughest thing I had to do during my 20+ years as a leader in technology, but it can be done in a respectful manner.
Self Awareness
Self awareness is key to effective leadership. Knowing yourself deeply allows you to show up at your very best. Know your strengths, your weaknesses, your emotions, and your triggers. If you are feeling out of sorts in a meeting, it is better to take a deep breath and regain composure, rather than say something you will regret later. Lead with and create value with your strengths at every opportunity – they become your brand (reputation). Guard your reputation as your most cherished asset. Never do anything that will compromise your values and what you stand for. A leader's major role is the ability to recognize potential and put the right person in the right position to achieve a desired outcome. The more you know yourself, the better your ability to know others.
People skills
People skills are critical. Earning the trust and confidence of others is the foundation of success. How you motivate and nurture your team will affect team performance and retention. As a leader, you might not be liked by everyone; however, you must strive to be respected by everyone, and this respect is earned by how you present yourself. Become known for being a team player and strive to value and listen to others. Make sure others receive recognition for their hard work and share credit, which is crucial for boosting morale.
Mentorship and Sponsorship
At every stage in a career, mentors are very important to guide/advise/provide perspective. As you rise up the corporate ladder, you also need sponsors who advocate for you, serve as a reference for you, and open doors to opportunities for you. Ask someone higher up (more than 2 levels) to be your sponsor after they have witnessed your performance, especially in a tough situation. That’s another reason to take on challenging tasks or jobs – you gain exposure to senior executives who might someday be advocates, references, or door openers.
Work/Life balance
I found that I was a lot more productive when I had a good work/life balance. When I unexpectedly became a single mother of my children when they were two and four, I was a first-line sales manager managing 10 people. The key was learning to take care of myself first and manage my time. What I found most helpful was focusing on urgent and important tasks first, becoming a master at saying “no” confidently and politely, and never feeling guilty about the many conscious and tough decisions I made.
Self Belief
Many women shortchange their ascent into senior leadership roles by letting “headwinds” slow them down. Headwinds include negative mental chatter and conditioning, fear of failure, and lack of confidence to take challenging assignments. We are somehow naturally wired to think small, although it is possible for us to change that. The world takes you at your own estimate. If you don’t believe in yourself, you cannot expect anyone else to believe in you.
A challenge will remain a challenge if you think of it as a challenge. The moment you shift your thoughts and think of it as an opportunity for growth, everything changes!
Shelmina Babai Abji is a global empowerment speaker, a former IBM Vice President, board member, an angel investor, and an advisor to C-suite executives. Shelmina’s passion is gender equality in leadership. She is currently working on a book on growth and leadership, titled, Power Quotient.
