Thrive as an Audacious Leader

Is Your Attitude Asset-based? 

Have you noticed that women in business are prone to use more self-defeating language than men? That's because when it comes to their abilities, women tend to err on the side of modesty rather than express themselves with an asset-based attitude.

Years of coaching female executives and entrepreneurs have taught me that often successful women do not appreciate how good they are at what they do. Instead, they undervalue their accomplishments and discount the value of their leadership.

Elevating your attitude to asset-based infuses you with energy and confidence. You learn to leverage what works well for you and savor the satisfaction you get from your remarkable achievements.

Which attitude describes your professional and personal attitudes about yourself and your leadership?

1. You're good at what you do, and you know it.
2. You're good at what you do, but you don't know it - or don't believe it.
3. You're not very good at what you do, and you know it.
4. You're not very good at what you do, but you think you are - or at least present yourself as though you are.

If your answer is # 2, you probably are a super achiever striving endlessly for Perfection. I invite you to shift to an   asset-based attitude. It gives you a more satisfying sense of your reality. Let 7 audacious leader strategies take you there. 

7 Audacious Leader Strategies

1. Take risks that are calculated, not crazy. Ask yourself: How can I optimize my chances of success  while minimizing the potential downside?  
2. Trust your instincts. If you don't, who will? The worst-case scenario is rarely as bad as you think. If what you try doesn't work out, focus on what you learned and how you can use that hard-won knowledge to your current or future advantage.
3. Don't personalize things that are not personal. Treat what is said or done at work as professional rather than personal.
4. Make your life a grudge-free zone. Deal with people in the way you want to be dealt with yourself.
5. Be generous with praise and careful with criticism. The ultimate goal is to improve the performance of people you influence. As a leader, you want people to feel inspired, informed and energized.
6. Know the rules so you know which ones to break. "Every great breakthrough is a break with." (Steven Covey)
7. Give yourself permission to be your smart and audacious self. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to get permission from someone else.

Use these strategies to leverage your leadership with more ease.