Decisive Woman is Not an Oxymoron

October 5, 2010 – 8:00 am

At some point in the distant past women were mislabeled as indecisive.  Many ancient cultures (and even some in the present) didn’t give women the license to choose.  Decisions were made by men, and that was that.

Bear witness to any present-day woman juggling work, family, home, carpool, food acquisition, etc. and you realize that if women were truly incapable of being decisive life would cease to function.  Women are called upon to make a myriad of decisions each day that directly impact all areas of their lives and those around them.  This inherent strength is a vital asset to running a successful business and being an effective leader.

But there are times when women (and men) get overwhelmed by options and uncertainty about the future and begin to waver when it’s time to act.  It’s easy to let fear or the noise from the world prevent you from moving forward, especially when you feel like your business is on the line. So what do you do to maintain a decisive mindset? Here are 4 tips to help keep you on track:

  1. Trust yourself – Just like animals rely on their instincts, you need to rely on your gut.  Your thoughts dictate your actions, so believe you are decisive and you will be when it counts.
  2. Tackle one decision at a time – Nothing is more distracting than having too many things vying for your attention when trying to make a decision.  Make a list in order of importance and tackle one item at a time, giving each your full attention.
  3. Avoid perfectionistic analysis paralysis – If you are constantly worried about making the wrong decision, you will never make any.  If an outcome isn’t all you hoped for then cherish the value that comes in the lesson learned.
  4. Be courageous – Life is full of challenges and leaps of faith that require you to step outside your comfort zone.  But it’s in those moments that you will experience the most growth, so don’t be afraid to go for it.

I love this quote from T. Boone Pickens that sums up the necessity of being decisive, especially in business…

“Be willing to make decisions. That’s the most important quality in a good leader. Don’t fall victim to the ‘ready-aim-aim-aim syndrome. You must be willing to fire.”

What are some tips you use to be more decisive?

© 2010 Reece International LLC/Dr. Shannon Reece. All rights reserved.

**************************

If you wish to use this article on your website or online newsletter, no problem, BUT here is what you MUST include:

Dr. Shannon Reece – The One Trusted Woman in a Man’s Business World

Starting your own business can be tough, but having the right tools makes all the difference.  Dr. Reece provides the strategies and tactics women need to get their businesses from zero to launch and achieve real results.  For more information visit www.DrShannonReece.com.

By Dr. Shannon Reece | Posted in Alphabet of Entrepreneurs, Aspiring Entrepreneurs | Tagged , , , , | Comments (2)

Thanks for Joining My Newsletter!

October 1, 2010 – 12:00 pm



I am thrilled that you’ve decided to join my newsletter list so that I can provide you with the best strategies and tactics you need to gain that competitive edge in your business.

I’ve recorded a quick message for you, so please take a moment to hear about how you can get your instant download.  Click on the arrow to play the recording.


Top 10 Strategies Super-Women Use to Stay Super-Fueled

“It’s easy to feel overloaded when you are trying to do it all. Super-Women approach life with an attitude and plan that enables them to achieve balance around the things they value most, while still taking care of themselves.”

 

“Excellent e-Book!  I wished I would have read this sooner.  My schedule is so hectic that I did not have time to read it when I first downloaded, but if I would have made that 15 minutes I would have had a different perspective on asking for help. LOL

I am one of those people who believes in “if you want it done right, do it yourself”.  When I ask people for help, I want to be able to put my trust in them and know that it will get done correctly.  When I do this, something always goes wrong.  So you can see my dilemma as an event planner….talk about micro-managing.  I love the fact that you have worksheets or action plans in each chapter.  I did take my “mental break” today, but instead of closing my eyes and going to my happy place, I read your book and what a well-deserved break to read something that will help me tackle the world with a different perspective.

Thank you for the resource — I loved it!” – M.S.

 

You don’t have to feel like you are constantly running on empty.

This 38 page ebook will help you –

  • Work Smarter
  • Live Healthier
  • Find Freedom
  • Achieve Greater Business Success

What more could you want?!

BUT…before you grab your download to start reading,

PLEASE take a moment, and

LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW, just to say “HI” and tell me where you’re from, and

CLICK ON Post Comment. 🙂

I’d love to hear from you!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NOW

By Dr. Shannon Reece | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (74)

Communication Styles: Rapport versus Report

September 30, 2010 – 8:38 am

It’s truly amazing how socialized the communication styles of men and women are in Western culture.  From childhood, girls are praised for working together, talking about their feelings and listening.  Boys are encouraged to be direct, speak their opinion and be independent.  In adult life this translates to different approaches to communication in business.  Men report, and women develop rapport.

Communication style differences are cross-cultural too, according to Joan C. Howden, which can be a detriment when Western and Japanese male executives interact.  In Japan, according to Howden, “One of the most valued traits of an executive is his ability to develop rapport with employees and customers.”  Japanese executives focus on collective investment and responsibility in their roles as leaders.  This contradicts the Western male drive for autonomy and top dog status, leading to uncertainty on how to work with Japanese executives who “appear feminine.”

Western women and Japanese men are much more alike in their approach to business, where “relationships are more important than rules.”  Female entrepreneurs are far more flexible than their male counterparts, and can comfortably adapt to the ever-changing challenges in their businesses.  Needless to say, the similarities between Western women and Japanese business culture is fascinating.  Behaviors traditionally defined as “feminine” in Western society are highly valued in the executive male workforce in Japan.  There the collectivistic approach is superior to the individualistic.

So if traditionally feminine communicative styles can be so successful and highly valued in Japanese business relationships, why are Western businesswomen still marginalized for employing a similar approach?

© 2010 Reece International LLC/Dr. Shannon Reece. All rights reserved.

**************************

If you wish to use this article on your website or online newsletter, no problem, BUT here is what you MUST include:

Dr. Shannon Reece – The One Trusted Woman in a Man’s Business World

Starting your own business can be tough, but having the right tools makes all the difference.  Dr. Reece provides the strategies and tactics women need to get their businesses from zero to launch and achieve real results.  For more information visit www.DrShannonReece.com.

By Dr. Shannon Reece | Posted in Alphabet of Entrepreneurs, Aspiring Entrepreneurs | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Brave Women in a World of Male Bravado

September 28, 2010 – 7:33 am

Where do little girls learn to how to be brave? Certainly not by bearing witness to the ego-driven bravado of little boys.  And yet, one of the greatest qualities of a female entrepreneur is her ability to demonstrate bravery every time she stands toe to toe with her fear.

Starting and running a business can be a daunting task, wrought with challenges that can leave any woman trembling in her heels.  But smart women never let fear see them sweat, because deep down they know that much of their fear is created within.

Call it female intuition or simply an honest look at self, but women know if it is self-created, it can be self-controlled.  I am not trying to suggest that men aren’t brave.  But women are just more honest with themselves and others when it comes to being scared, whereas men tend to bluster and deny in order to save face when ruffled.

Women aren’t afraid to admit they’re afraid. Rather than wasting time trying to cover it up or pretend it’s not real they take action to understand it and diffuse it’s impact.  It’s not a matter of working around it, women do what it takes to work through their challenges.  And often they reach out to those they trust when they need help.

Modeling “the toughest kid on the block” persona In business will only hold you back.  The shortest path to freedom and growth is the straight one, which often means working through your toughest moments with grace.  So ladies, the next time fear raises it’s ugly head in yours, what will you do to conquer it head-on?

© 2010 Reece International LLC/Dr. Shannon Reece. All rights reserved.

**************************

If you wish to use this article on your website or online newsletter, no problem, BUT here is what you MUST include:

Dr. Shannon Reece – The One Trusted Woman in a Man’s Business World

Starting your own business can be tough, but having the right tools makes all the difference.  Dr. Reece provides the strategies and tactics women need to get their businesses from zero to launch and achieve real results.  For more information visit www.DrShannonReece.com.

By Dr. Shannon Reece | Posted in Alphabet of Entrepreneurs, Aspiring Entrepreneurs | Tagged , , , | Comments (3)

Why Assertive Businesswomen Get a Bad Rap

September 23, 2010 – 9:32 am

Whether you’re in Corporate America or are a small business owner, being a woman in business can be tough when you need to be.  Gender disparity is alive and well in business where men are rewarded for being assertive and women are labeled as barracudas or worse.

When men “get in touch with their feminine side” they are called sensitive. Unfortunately, this cross-over doesn’t work in the reverse.

Being a woman in a man’s business world does not require you to be more like a man.  But women, naturally displaying traditional male characteristics, are often criticized.

So why the difference in our ever evolving society?  After all, we bear witness to the boldly competitive female elite athlete, like Serena Williams, who is portrayed by the media as powerful and sexy.  Yet, in the business arena women are still running into glass ceilings and are disparaged for being competitive.

Despite what you’ve learned from the persistent social stereotypes being perpetuated, women are not being held back from business success because of their femininity.  Being a strong woman is not a contradiction, nor should it be viewed as a liability.  More and more businesswomen each year are breaking free from the constraints of the corporate world and are starting their own businesses, proving that gender has nothing to do with business success.  Are you ready to take that leap?

Don’t fall into the trap of making excuses for being just who you are.  Being an assertive woman is simply not the same thing as being aggressive, so don’t be afraid to stake your claim to success!

© 2010 Reece International LLC/Dr. Shannon Reece. All rights reserved.

**************************

If you wish to use this article on your website or online newsletter, no problem, BUT here is what you MUST include:

Dr. Shannon Reece – The One Trusted Woman in a Man’s Business World

Starting your own business can be tough, but having the right tools makes all the difference.  Dr. Reece provides the strategies and tactics women need to get their businesses from zero to launch and achieve real results.  For more information visit www.DrShannonReece.com.

By Dr. Shannon Reece | Posted in Alphabet of Entrepreneurs, Aspiring Entrepreneurs | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

The Alphabet for Women Entrepreneurs

September 21, 2010 – 7:00 am

For the all the women who have yet to take the leap of faith and start your own business you may be grappling with the question, “Do I have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur?” I answer your question with two more…

  • Can anyone become an entrepreneur? —  Yes.
  • Will everyone succeed? —  Probably not.

Entrepreneurs come in all shapes and sizes, but within each one there exists a set of fundamental qualities and characteristics that set them apart from the masses — what I like to refer to as the Alphabet for Women Entrepreneurs.  This is not something that’s unique to men, but you will find that it’s a bit different for women.

Over the next 14 weeks we will cover each letter of the alphabet and I will present my top picks.  Feel free to share yours as we go along.  My hope is that aspiring female entrepreneurs will gain a new perspective on what they have to offer the world.  Just because it’s still a man’s business world in many ways, does not mean you can’t get out there and compete with the best of them.

Let’s see how well versed you are in your A, B, C’s.

© 2010 Reece International LLC/Dr. Shannon Reece. All rights reserved.

**************************

If you wish to use this article on your website or online newsletter, no problem, BUT here is what you MUST include:

Dr. Shannon Reece – The One Trusted Woman in a Man’s Business World

Starting your own business can be tough, but having the right tools makes all the difference.  Dr. Reece provides the strategies and tactics women need to get their businesses from zero to launch and achieve real results.  For more information visit www.DrShannonReece.com.

By Dr. Shannon Reece | Posted in Aspiring Entrepreneurs | Tagged , , , | Comments (4)

Stepping down from the ledge of overwhelm.

August 3, 2010 – 1:10 am

I recently posed a question on Twitter and Facebook to all the entrepreneurial “wanna be’s” and asked, “What is the biggest obstacle holding you back.” A big Thank you!! to all those who responded.  The comments confirmed that we each face many different challenges in our lives.  But women are great at sharing lessons learned from failures, as well as successes, in an effort to teach others.  There is tremendous power when like-minded women exchange ideas and wisdom.

From the list of responses to my query, today’s post is about dealing with the fear that can stem from a woman’s desire to achieve success.  When you think of fear, you often think about fearing failure, rather than success.  But fear of success is quite real and something that I address in my e-book, Conquering Your Fear with a Knockout Punch.

Fear of success is related to achievement and is often increased by the growing pains associated with finding success, whether you are just starting out or growing your business to the next level — things like longer work hours, greater responsibility, adding staff, launching a new product, etc.  Conflict arises when you become anxious about juggling the myriad of responsibilities in your life with your desires to run a successful enterprise.  Your doubt and insecurity begin to feed your mind with thoughts of, “How can I possibly do it all?”, “Will my family suffer?”, or  “I’m just not ready for this yet.” Continue reading →

By Dr. Shannon Reece | Posted in Fear | Tagged , , , , | Comments (4)