Bolder Sisters, I have to admit this was an exciting week for me. As you know, we continue to step outside of our comfort zones and tiptoe into brand new territories, and at times it can seem a little frightening. I am learning, when we aren’t willing to do anything different, we miss opportunities and the possibility of making meaningful connections.  With that being said, this past Tuesday evening, I did just what I always encourage each of you to do. I was bold and confident as I networked and moderated the Chicago Multicultural Connections “Women at the Top” event.  It was definitely an honor to be asked to lead the conversation (by Paula Otero, President/Chief Strategist of La Kart) with a panel of powerful women at the top of their industries.

The panel consisted of McGhee Williams Osse, Co-CEO of Burrell Communications Group, Carla M. Casas, Founder of Casas Immigration and Anita Mehta, CEO of Chicago Discovery Solutions LLC.

Each of the women on the panel shared the obstacles as well as successes of being a leader in business. I was inspired and reminded that women hold a great deal of power and have the potential to achieve any and everything we set our sights on.

I wanted to share with you a few of the key takeaways for women in business:

• Find a mentor – selecting someone in the business or industry you are interested in, is crucial to your success. Don’t be afraid to reach out and connect with someone who can offer guidance and assist you in finding the necessary resources to propel you further into your career.
• Treat everyone you encounter with respect – your supervisor, co workers and subordinates should all be treated with respect if you want healthy workplace/business relationships and an increase in productivity.
• Find self-help resources and attend seminars – in order to further your personal and professional success you have to be willing to invest in yourself. It is imperative to incorporate tips and tools from experts in your field and personal development professionals.
• Trust your gut – when you are making decisions in your business don’t be afraid to say “no” if your instinct is telling you so.

Bolder Sisters, as always, I hope these takeaways and every idea featured on this blog continues to inspire you.