20 Traits of the Resilient Female Leader

Leadership skills, transitioning, positive confrontation, strategic volunteering for career success

and tactics for better compensation; These issues came up during a recent luncheon hosted by

Philadelphia’s Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown where a panel of experts facilitated and

engaged the participants on soft-skills in the workplace. I respected a presenter who was very

insistent on the positive impact resiliency has on female leaders. Like this lady I believe we must

find the lesson in today’s problem to help make life easier tomorrow.

The participants made it clear far gone is the notion of women crumbling at the onset of crises

and challenges, especially in decision-making positions. Sure the loud voice of the inner skeptic

shouts a plethora of reasons why she will not make it out of this. But in actuality she can find

peace in the moment being in harmony with her intelligence, resourcefulness, courage and

resiliency--whether or not she knows it.

With an ongoing call that women must hold her place at the negotiating table and such overt

controversy surrounding it, http://niemanreports.org/articles/a-seat-at-the-table/ she can rest

on resilience as her ally. There undoubtedly will be bumps and bruises in her journey. To master

this fate with control and calm, here are twenty traits of resiliency she must consider for finding

the hidden lessons and inspiring a courageous leadership culture:

1. She not only presses forward through troubles, but celebrates even the small wins.

With style and finesse she takes on actions that respond to fresh and ever-changing

realities.

2. She quickly adapts to circumstances and corrections. Leading with her eyes focused

forward she recognizes opportunities and is aware of the trouble indicators.

3. She understands resilience is an inside job and strives to maintain control when

presented with unforeseen situations.

4. She pulls on her best experiences to find peace in the midst of chaos and never makes

poor decisions based on boredom.

5. She is not in tune with organizational politics but is commitment to pursuing the path

that is right though challenging.

6. She appreciates her vocational purpose and seamlessly connects this drive with her

actions. She is part of something bigger than herself.

7. She rallies the strength and expertise of a good mentor and takes advantage of coaching

so she can add the most value to the people she leads.

8. Through trials and difficulties she develops the greatest gifts she has to offer for making

an impact on the lives of others.

9. She revitalizes herself physically, intellectually, spiritually and emotionally making it

easier to turn her restlessness into a strategy.

10. No matter the challenge, she fuels her untapped genius within for making a significant

impact giving life meaning and satisfaction.

11. She learns from her past but never revisits or reinforces the negative to define her

future.

12. She channels her energy wisely to explore possibilities, inspires others, and creates a

constructive emotional climate for growth.

13. She is well-rounded and doesn’t compromise family and fun times by sacrificing her

personal life for her work.

14. She embraces her intrinsic value and can sever who she is from what she can

accomplish.

15. Her behavior is not defensive. She quickly diminishes the impact of a problem by finding

a way to resolve an issue rather than casting the blame on someone else.

16. She takes a resilient approach to ensuing setbacks by harnessing a support system

before any challenges hit.

17. She is intuitive, but not full of herself, so she can make well-informed decisions based on

quantitative research and integrating the perspectives of others.

18. She embraces the opportunity of change and is not opposed to refining and reinventing

a new perception of who she is.

19. She honors other women for who they are and not for what they do; celebrates their

achievements and picks her up when she stumbles.

20. She is a perceptive, strategic thinker who is addicted to learning and growing—exploring

the hot issues that are emerging in her industry. She makes herself indispensable.

Perhaps you aren’t good at all of these. But you can begin cultivating those you may wrestle

with by deciding to be responsive rather than reactive.

Today’s female leader has resilience under her control. Challenges can be easiest handled by

taking the time to observe the experience. By learning how to listen to your thoughts and

discerning your resilient voice above dire expressions, you can lead effectively through the

havoc life sometimes brings.

About the Author:

15 year Personal Coach, Dr. Deana Murphy supports busy female professions in being more

efficient, effective and creative and guides them in releasing their greatest potential in both

their personal and professional lives. Website: www.CallDr.Deana.com