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7 Tips For Rising Above The Glass Ceiling

Many companies are struggling to hold onto their talented leaders in the midst of anaging workforce, a growing global market, and an increase in competition. How,then, can we make sure that women leaders and women rising in the ranks make itto the top?

For any organization the best and easiest way to continue to grow and thrive is toexpand the use of talent that already exists within the organization, and maximizethat talent to its fullest extent – and that means including talented women. In myexperience designing a program called “The Leadership Circles” at MetLife I focusedon development tools that would work to attract, develop, and retain the company’stalented women.

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Numerous studies have shown that having women in leadership is beneficial tobusiness outcomes, yet women are under-represented at the top, particularly amongfinancial advisors. I believe that the way for women to lead well is to live well, so thefollowing tips, derived from The Leadership Circles Program at MetLife, are designedto help women lead from within to break through the glass ceiling:

1. Get Clarity. Ask yourself: What do you want? Your vision should incorporate bothpersonal and professional goals, including specific goals aligned to the success of thecompany you represent. Your vision should be unique to you, and build on your ownstrengths and passions.

2. Find Focus. Ask yourself: Where will you put your attention? Focus on toppriorities related to your vision, break those down and create a focused approach tofollow. Focus is a vital skill for leaders who often report feeling “fractured” and“scattered” in today’s busy world.

3. Take action. Ask yourself: What do you need to do? Turn the priorities from theprevious item into action items, so that you are always driving toward making the

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biggest impact with your efforts.

4. Tap into your brilliance. Ask yourself: What’s unique about you? Strength-basedleadership is taught as a method to leverage your natural strengths.

5. Feel fulfillment. Ask yourself: What motivates you and makes you happy? The roleof values and fulfillment will help you to experience a sense of personal andprofessional well-being.

6. Maximize your time. Ask yourself: How can you achieve more with less? Learningto make the most of the time you have is key, and this practice will help to reducestress and increase not only productivity but a sense of peace.

7. Build your team. Ask yourself: Who can support you? The mentors, coaches,sponsors, and partners you surround yourself with will help to support you andexpand your potential along the way.

Overall, the goal is to provide a structure that supports success over time, and isrooted in a content area of particular interest to you. These tips, when developed intoa practice, can be adapted to almost any content or curriculum.

In many organizations I have worked with, including MetLife, one of the mostcommon comments women in leadership make is, “I feel so alone.” They worry aboutreinventing the wheel and are plagued by questions about whether they’re doingthings right. Becoming part of a large group of other women in similar roles givesthem a solid sense of community.

Personal leadership practices such as these can help to develop a long future forwomen in leadership: an organic, self-sustaining model of women helping women tosucceed. Putting these tips into practice will also help high-performing womenadvisors into move into stronger roles of leadership companywide.

Posted on 6/26/14

Dr. Joelle K. Jay is a principal with the global leadership development firm,Leadership Research Institute (LRI) and the author of The Inner Edge: The 10Practices of Personal Leadership. As an executive coach, author and speaker, Dr. Jayhelps leaders leverage their talents to achieve top performance and business results.

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Her clients include global businesses in investment services, finance, hospitality,healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education,communication and technology. Dr. Jayearned her Ph.D., with an emphasis on learning and leadership, from the Universityof Washington. She also has a master’s degree from Boston University, a bachelor’sdegree from the University of Nevada, and the highest level of certification awardedby the International Coach Federation.

For more, you can visit her website.

by

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1. 5 Mantras For Female Entrepreneurs To Follow2. LinkedIn Etiquette And Tips3. Tech Etiquette: Is it OK to Wear Google Glass on a Date?4. Stuck In Front Of A Computer? Tips For Healthy Working

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