Women are still behind men for top leadership positions but have strengths that our male counterparts do not have.  However, women tend to be more reactive than proactive so here are some “to dos” that will help.

• Build relationships: build authentic relationships with your manager and with their manager’s manager.  In fact, build relationships with everyone around you including sideways and downward in your organization.
• Show off your talents: On a whole, women less likely than men to boast of their talents, but success may mean getting over being quiet and restrained. Show off those special skills you’ve been sitting on and afraid to use. Show how you can add to the bottom line.  This does not mean being egotistical, but rather being genuine and unafraid to share your talents with your organization.
• Develop others: Women are more likely to be nurturing and caring. These are important skills in the workplace. Today, it’s not about trying to take on a hard edge and being one of the boys. Now is the time to use those feminine attributes to develop your team.
• Be Persuasive: Women are naturally more persuasive than men.  Don’t back down.  Give your opinions and if you feel strongly about it use your power of persuasion to convince others.

Women in business were once told these types of soft skills didn’t matter and in fact, they are critically important.  Yes, you still have to have the analytical, technical  and performance skills to move forward but when you add the soft skills, you have a very powerful package.