On the anniversary of International Women’s Day, I have reflected on some of the issues I’ve faced managing a team of mostly women over the course of the past six months as I develop them for future leadership roles. I think they are perennial issues, and the more we can share the more we learn we’re not alone in our struggles with some of these heady topics.

1. Developing confidence

Personally and professionally, confidence is one of society’s most desirable attributes. My road has been a long one, full of trial and error. Of finding my voice, testing that voice. This, in conjunction with intuition (which I will talk about next), has driven my boldest decisions. Confidence has allowed me to set boundaries that align with my values. It also allows me to lead unapologetically and pave the way for other women to lead in a similar way.

2. Trusting intuition

Intuition has been so important to me; it’s a voice – sometimes quiet, sometimes very loud – to which I am very much tuned in. The ability to read the room, sensing shifting dynamics, and trusting my gut has saved many sales calls and helped me hire some of the best people in the business. Not necessarily a traditional attribute, intuition combined with knowledge and experience has allowed me to thrive in industries and with challenges that might otherwise have been beyond my grasp. Mix courage and intuition and you find yourself with an unwavering sense of purpose and drive.

3. Building courage

It’s not just the ability to be the big voice at the table or the tendency to take big risks. Courage is about standing firm in your decisions, speaking up when it matters and leading with authenticity even when it’s uncomfortable. It’s about owning your mistakes. It’s about being able to question things you held as certainties moments ago to come to a better understanding. It’s the strength to challenge the status quo, to stand up for yourself and others, and do all of it with respect and professionalism. 

I strongly encourage the women on my team to think about what leading means to them. What qualities and attributes have appealed to them in leaders they have worked for past and present and which traits have made them recoil? I want to encourage them to find the pieces of character that resonate with them, not so that they copy someone else, but so that they develop their original and genuine way to lead. 

I’ve written before about the importance of authenticity, and it is no more critical than in the realm of leadership. Women tuning in to the things that make us unique – empathy and collaboration, intuition and compassion – inspires greater trust in your team, builds stronger alliances and fosters meaningful change. So be brave. Break the mould. Be you. I’ll always be here to celebrate that.