Response Magic 
How does a seemingly
ordinary woman become a super-successful business leader?
What qualities do you need
to reach and then effectively fill a top leadership position?
And what qualities or actions are likely to hold you back?
To find out, Kathy Hurley
and Priscilla Shumway, who are themselves business leaders, interviewed 24
women holding leadership positions in a variety of industries to find out how
they accounted for their own successes.
The result is their new
book Real Women, Real Leaders: Surviving and Succeeding in
the Business World.
It's a close
look at the building blocks of success for today's executives and entrepreneurs
-- both male and female.
Hurley, who has spent 40
years as a senior executive in education at Pearson, IBM, and the Learning
Company shared some of the most important advice she and Shumway gleaned from
their interviews:
1. Never trash anybody.
"Never, ever say that
you will not work for someone, because he or she may be your next boss,"
Hurley warns. Leadership begins with knowing how to work for someone you
wouldn't normally choose, she adds. "Working for someone who is
challenging or impolite takes its own set of leadership skills and qualities.
If you can do so with success (and a little grace), your superiors will take
note and likely reward you with opportunity."
Being able to deal with
any kind of person will stand you in even better stead if you become an
entrepreneur. Customers come in all shapes, sizes, and temperaments, and some
of them will make the worst boss you ever had seem like Mother Teresa.
2. Always network, even
when you don't think you need to.
"We have discovered
more opportunities at non-networking events than you can imagine," Hurley
says. "Talk to people.
When you are sitting on a plane, in line at the DMV, or at that conference that
you really didn't want to attend... all these places provide an opportunity to
meet someone new who just may be your next connection into a new
job or the business partnership for which you've been searching."
3. Always give credit to
others.
"Recognizing
achievement in others is one of the best qualities of a leader," Hurley
says. "Not only does it build confidence in the person you've recognized,
but it demonstrates that you place value on supporting the success of those who work with you and for
you."
Over time, this is going
to become an even more important thing to do, as the labor market for those
with top skills becomes tighter. In-demand employees who can work where they choose are likelier to choose a boss who
makes them feel valued and is quick to share the spotlight when things go well.
Be that boss.
4. When things go wrong,
err on the side of generosity.
"You will make
mistakes, your colleagues will make mistakes, and life will just deal you a bad
hand sometimes," Hurley says. When bad things happen, don't blame, don't
rant, and don't panic. Instead, approach the problem with a sympathetic ear and
an empathetic soul, she advises. "Those who work for you will appreciate
your soft touch and those who may be observing you will appreciate your ability
to limit drama in the workplace."
5. Develop relationships
that go beyond a specific job or company.
"Jobs may change but
people stay the same," Hurley says. Thus, she says, "Being a leader
within your company is valuable, but being a leader within your industry is
priceless."
With that in mind, she
recommends building long-lasting
relationships with
people throughout your industry. "They may one day be your boss or
co-worker, or they may even be your next reference," she notes.
6. Surround yourself with
smart people.
It's easy to be
intimidated, but the best leaders hire and promote people who are as smart as they
are themselves, or smarter. "If you can manage to throw in a few who also
possess humor and humility, you will be limitless in what you can
achieve," Hurley says.
7. Spend a lot of time
listening.
"It is a powerful
activity," Hurley says. "You do not have to be the idea person or the
loudest person in the room." Instead, she says, reflect on what you are
hearing. "When you are able to listen and reflect on the ideas in the room,
you are usually in a better position to contribute to your team." You'll
be a better leader as
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