5 Strategies Every Woman in Business Needs to Grow, Lead and Thrive.

By Craig Lourens: Business Coach

Women should not have to choose between being successful in business and living a fulfilling life. They can create both. 

From the women I have coached, I see women transforming businesses, leading high-performing teams and making an extraordinary impact across every industry. However we have to be honest and acknowledge, their success has rarely come without additional challenges.

They navigate environments that were never designed with women leaders in mind, balancing the demands of growing a business with family responsibilities, overcoming unconscious bias, building a career, nurturing relationships and still they find time to invest in themselves.

These women who succeed aren’t necessarily the ones who do the most work; they’re the ones who create businesses that enable the life they want to live, rather than lives that are based around their businesses.

Here are five ideas I have gathered from working them.

Perhaps they can help you grow your business, to do better at leading and create a life that is more fulfilling for you.

1. Stop Wearing Every Hat. 

Many women are very good multitaskers. Unfortunately, as so often is the case, a strength can highlight a blind spot! They are the CEO, the salesperson, the marketer, the bookkeeper, the HR manager, the customer service department, and Mom, and somewhere along the way, they find they lose themself. Then they realise that being busy isn’t the same as building a business. And somehow the business is now running them and they are no longer running the business!  

The goal isn’t to be doing everything, it’s to gradually replace yourself in each role and build systems and empower your team. 

As a woman in business, ask yourself: 

• “Am I building a business that depends on me or one that supports me?”  and
• “What must I stop doing – what are those things I do which do not require me?”

2. Back Yourself, Know Your Worth

One of the biggest barriers to growth isn’t a lack of ability, it’s undervaluing the value you bring.

Many women are great at self-sabotage and so often put others before themselves.  I find they so often hesitate to increase their prices, negotiate confidently or promote their achievements because they don’t want to appear pushy or self-promoting. Yet, what we all don’t realise is that every time you undercharge, you send a message about the value of your expertise.

While we often think we are selling time, we have to realise our clients aren’t buying time, they’re investing in the results you help them achieve.

As a woman in business, ask yourself: 

• “Am I using my unique ability to develop a compelling Unique Value Proposition that shifts the conversation away from price and onto value for my business?”
• “Am I recognising my growth in confidence as my customers, teams, suppliers and family recognise and understand the difference I make?” 

Know your worth. Communicate it confidently. Charge accordingly.

3. Progress Over Perfection

How many brilliant ideas never see the light of day because someone is waiting until everything is “just right”?

I’ve coached many women who set exceptionally high standards for themselves. They want the proposal to be perfect, the presentation flawless and the timing ideal before taking the next step.  

The truth is, often perfection delays progress. The businesses that grow are built by leaders who are willing to learn, adapt and improve as they go. Progress creates confidence. Action creates momentum. Waiting creates regret.

As a woman in business, ask yourself: 

• “What is the worst that will happen if I take the next step before I feel completely ready?” (If it’s minor, go ahead and do it!).

While it may make you feel like you acting in haste, you will quickly discover the progress a small step forward brings, builds momentum for the giant leap.  

4. Lead with Heart and Structure. 

From what I see, women possess remarkable emotional intelligence. They build relationships naturally. They care deeply. They build loyal teams. These are strong leadership skills. 

Match this with clear expectations, accountability, regular communication,  measurement of performance and you will find your teams responding in the most positive way. Kindness and accountability are not opposites. The best leaders marry empathy with consistency. Your team doesn’t simply need encouragement. They also need direction and structure.

Put in place a management rhythm of well structured touch-points on a weekly basis with your team members, show them what success looks and you will find productivity increases measurably. 

As a woman in business, ask yourself: 

• “Have I implemented a methodology where rhythm of daily, weekly and 90-day activities are measure and reported?”
• “Am I sticking to my “diary blocking” with “pig-headed” discipline?”

5. Design a Business That Gives You Freedom. 

Why did you start your business? Was it to work longer hours than ever before? Most women dream of flexibility, financial security, making an impact, and a life that is purposeful. And yet many are trapped in businesses that cannot function without them. 

Freedom is about:

• Time with your family without guilt. 
• Holidays without checking emails every hour.
• The ability to choose rather than react. 

Your business should create the life you want, not consume it. Measure yourself on a weekly basis to ensure you are on track.  Don’t wait for a month, or more, to go by before you assess how you are doing.  Assess weekly.  This way you can make the course corrections before they become overwhelming and seem like impossible mountains to climb. 

As a woman in business, ask yourself: 

• “Do I, on a daily basis empower myself with positive affirmations?”
• “Am I, on a weekly basis, assessing what I can do to be just 1% better next week?’

What You Do Should Empower Your Life. 

At ActionCOACH, we understand business success is about much more than revenue. And it’s about developing a business that is supportive of the person behind it. A business that gives you confidence. A business that creates opportunities. A business that allows you to live intentionally. 

And for women we understand it is even more important, as a result of unique challenges you face in business, to apply these principles and create a business life that makes it possible for you to be Unstoppably YOU. 

For any further information, why not contact us? 

Craig Lourens
Business Coach | ActionCOACH Southern Africa

“Helping women in business build businesses that work for them, not because of them.”