- Build your self-esteem. You didn’t get in a position of power because of your weaknesses or shortcomings. Deconstruct your success and figure out exactly what others value about you.
- Set priorities in your life, and allocate your time to address them. If an activity doesn’t directly address a priority, don’t do it. There’s no such thing and a work life and a personal life. You only have one life.
- Don’t overuse your independence to the point that it becomes a liability. Leaders advance more rapidly than others in the organization because of their drive and self-reliance. But it continues to be lonely at the top for men and women. Ask for and accept help when you need it.
- Build intimacy in your life outside of work. Commit time to your family and friends. They are the ones who will help you gain balance in your life.
- Develop a firm but fair leadership style. Often women fear rejection when a situation demands they be assertive or forceful. Most leadership positions demand respect, not necessarily affection, from their direct reports.
- When others don’t behave as they should, don’t take it personally. You didn’t cause it; you can’t fix it; and it’s not your fault.
- Don’t even try on the Superwoman costume. It doesn’t look good on anyone.
- Get rid of guilt. Make decisions based on the available information. Then move on. You can’t undo the past.
- Don’t worry about the future. Your track record indicates you’ll figure things out when you need to.
- Exercise; it’s nature’s anti-depressant.