The Power of Resolve: The Trait You Can’t Lead Without

Nikolette Sirawsky

As you navigate your leadership journey, you will likely be met with unique challenges along the way. From subtle biases to outright discrimination, women leaders often face obstacles their male counterparts do not. Cultivating an unshakable resolve will help you to push past these hurdles to achieve your full potential.

What is resolve?

It is the steadfast commitment to see something through despite difficulties. Leaders with strong resolve do not ignore setbacks. Instead, they recognize obstacles and demonstrate the grit and resilience required to bounce back. For women especially, this determination is key to advancing and claiming leadership positions.

First, your resolve helps you acknowledge and address biases without being held down. Women still struggle with conscious and unconscious bias from leadership and colleagues, which can be incredibly discouraging. Strong resolve gives you the courage to speak up and spark change. It will also empower you to share ideas and make tough calls even when others try to talk over them or minimize your contributions.

As you may have guessed, resolve and resilience go hand-in-hand. When things do not work out as planned, developing both of these traits will allow you to analyze what went wrong, make adjustments, and keep going. Rather than crumbling under pressure or emotion, you can acknowledge the setback, learn from mistakes, and chart a new path forward with confidence.

This is a trait you must develop to succeed, so try taking these steps immediately:

  • Define your leadership vision. Understanding your goals and purpose will help strengthen your commitment.
  • Work on building a robust support network. Surround yourself with others who believe in you and your abilities to overcome challenges.
  • Reflect on how you overcame past obstacles. Remembering past successes can help strengthen your resolve. Writing these successes down on paper can help them to feel more tangible and give you a document to turn back to when you can’t find your confidence.
  • Develop self-compassion. Acknowledge your challenges, but be kind to yourself on the journey. Resolve isn’t equivalent to toughness. Giving yourself grace is the first step to moving forward when the going gets tough.
  • Take a calculated risk or take on a new project. Moving beyond your comfort zone shows you what you are capable of overcoming. Do this step whenever you’re starting to feel too bored or comfortable.

With steadfast resolve women leaders can fulfill their incredible potential and ultimately transform their organizations and fields. The path may not be easy, but with focus, grit, and determination, you can truly accomplish anything.