I would have stumbled without these 4 qualities: How women can defy gravity in their careers
As a woman in business, I’ve learned that overcoming the “gravity” that holds back many women requires tremendous perseverance. It’s a lot like launching a rocket: You don’t just rise by chance, you rise through focused, sustained effort.
Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed firsthand how pressures to conform, expectations to balance work and life perfectly, and the fear of taking risks can prevent women from reaching their full potential. On top of that, women face a variety of unique barriers—from unequal caregiving responsibilities to institutional barriers and societal biases (sometimes unconscious, sometimes not) that suggest women don’t belong in leadership.
These barriers are deep-seated and will take time to address, but change is possible.
While certainly not a cure-all for the problems women face, cultivating four qualities has allowed me to keep moving forward, even when the path was difficult or unclear: grit, gumption, grace, and gratitude. These qualities have helped me not only face gravity but push against it.
Grit: The courage to persevere
Grit is essential because leadership demands both resilience and the ability to learn from failure. It’s not about avoiding mistakes; it’s about how you face them and keep moving forward. The most successful leaders are the ones who can withstand the toughest times and keep going.
For example, after a difficult meeting or a project setback, I remind myself: I can choose to see this as a learning moment or a failure. Even on the hardest days, I take a step back, regroup, and focus on what’s in my control to improve. This mental shift has been crucial, whether navigating a complex boardroom decision or leading through organizational change.
The key is to own each day—and each mistake.
One of the greatest lessons I learned from my mother was that it matters just as much how you handle yourself when you win as when you lose. Great leaders show up and face into whatever comes their way with determination and never ask someone to do something they wouldn’t do themselves. For leaders, grit is about rolling up your sleeves, getting into the details, and making the tough choices when others won’t.
Gumption: The confidence to bet on yourself
Gumption is about having the confidence to be your authentic self and bet on yourself—even when others might not.
Early in my career, I had my first experience of gender bias in the workplace. I was told by a senior leader that I wasn’t management material. Why? Because I laughed too much. I smiled too much. I didn’t fit the mold of what people thought a leader should look or act like. Luckily, I didn’t listen to that leader. I was hurt, that’s for certain, but I dug deep and believed in myself.
To get ahead, you have to bet on yourself and take the leap. Show up where decisions are made and don’t be a passive observer. Be prepared, have a point of view, and, when necessary, challenge the assumptions in the room. And, most importantly, be ready to amplify the voices of others, especially those who are underrepresented or haven’t found their voice to speak up.
Grace: The power of forgiveness and understanding
Grace is about giving yourself—and others—a break, especially when things don’t go as planned. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by expectations, both personal and professional, but remember that no one has a perfect career or life. We all stumble. What defines you is how you handle those missteps.
Forgive yourself when you fall short. And when others do, offer them the same understanding. Mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow, not reasons to criticize. When you make a mistake, don’t be too hard on yourself. Instead, use it as an opportunity to seek out what’s not going well and address it before it becomes a bigger issue.
The truth is, at some point, you’ll need grace from others. Leaders who give grace to others foster trust and loyalty. In the long run, those who extend grace often find they receive it in return.
Gratitude: The leadership superpower
Gratitude is often overlooked in leadership, but it’s one of the most powerful tools we have. I keep a box in my desk with every note, sticky note, and letter of thanks I’ve received over the years. These small gestures remind me why I keep pushing forward—and are far more valuable to me than any award or recognition.
Saying “thank you” is one of the simplest yet most impactful ways to build trust and motivate those around you. Leaders who express gratitude not only foster better team dynamics—they also inspire loyalty and attract top talent. Gratitude fosters respect, strengthens relationships, and creates a culture where people feel valued.
When you acknowledge others’ contributions and take the time to appreciate their efforts, you make them feel seen. And in turn, this strengthens the entire team’s commitment to the organization’s goals.
A path forward
To be sure, we have a long road ahead. Today, women still make up only about 10% of CEOs in the Fortune 500 and just 29% of the global STEM workforce. But by embracing grit, gumption, grace, and gratitude, we not only accelerate our own careers, we help lift those around us. In doing so, we can break through the gravitational forces that limit us and create the space for more women to lead, thrive, and transform industries.
Read more:
- I became the semiconductor industry’s first female CEO after being a broke, single mom in a trailer park. Here’s how I did it
- Childcare crisis: How men and employers can combat ‘time poverty’ for working mothers
- I’m a woman working in ‘deep tech.’ Here’s why you don’t see more women in AI (hint: it isn’t a pipeline problem)
- Meet America’s first female retail executive: By 25 years old she was Macy’s second in command and she created the iconic red star logo
The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.
