The traditional belief that men are the stronger gender has gone down the drain years ago, as women around the world are proving themselves capable of leading large companies and even whole countries successfully.

By Tracey Clayton

These powerful women are paving the road for the rest of us, showing us that we can do whatever we set our minds to, but not without being smart and putting enough effort into it. So, what is it that they do which makes them so outstanding in business? Here are some tips for the ones who want to be at the top of the business ladder.

Have thick skin

Being able to deal with criticism is important, since most of the time you can actually learn something from it. Although there will be people who will try to undermine your work and be critical out of spite or for some personal agenda, you’ll still get a fair amount of good advice through people’s comments and opinions. The key is to stay as objective as possible and accept that there’s always room for improvement, instead of taking disapproval of your working method as something personal. So, whether you receive appraisal or disapproval, always think about what you can take out of it and use it to advance in business.

Develop a good brand

If you want your business to thrive, you need to create a strong brand for it, one that will let you stand out from the sea of other businesses. You should start by choosing a name that will be memorable and unique, but make sure it also conveys the message you’d like to send to your clients, so that you can create an attractive logo and advertise well. Once you have an awesome enough name, you need to find a good corporal space, offices that will reflect your business attitudes and goals. Whether you’re trying to open a bakery or wondering how to start your own cleaning business, both your logo and offices should be appealing. If this is something you need help or don’t feel comfortable with, there are still some great options for you. For example, you can franchise a brand that’s already been developed, or you can hire professionals to develop the brand for you. There are companies where you can get help with anything from interior design to creating a prominent digital identity for your business, which is why you shouldn’t hesitate asking for assistance or advice from the right people.

Nurture good personality traits

Staying kind, friendly and compassionate is as important in business as it is in your personal life. No matter what industry you’re in, having a good relationship with your coworkers and clients is extremely important if you want your business to advance and have a good reputation. Assuming that the person you’re talking to is as human, as interesting and as capable as you are will allow you to treat them as equal, and even create a basic personal connection between you. This way, your communication can be open and you can exchange creative ideas freely, without uneasiness and hesitation that would make you hold back and be too timid to share your thoughts with the people around you. Plus, one thing that can make you successful is being respected, which is most easily achieved through showing others respect you’d like to get from them.

Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses

Being self-confident is something we all want and something that can help you establish a good business, but other than being aware of your strengths and knowing exactly how to use them to get ahead of the competition, you should also know what your weaknesses are. When you know what you aren’t good at, you can get help with that aspect of your business, or find some way to work around those weaknesses. If it means that you step out of your comfort zone and face any difficulties head-on, so be it. Furthermore, you should never stop educating yourself so that you become better at what you do and acquire new skills. Upgrading your knowledge and getting advice from people with more experience will also get you where you want to go businesswise, and may even allow you to turn some of your weaknesses into strengths in the process.

Staying afloat in the business world and maintaining your relevance among the competition can sometimes be hard, but don’t let it slow you down or discourage you. Women have always been good at organizing things and taking care of others, so use those skills that are often taken for granted to become and stay successful in business.