Ava Sinclair
A go-getter woman is confident, proactive, and a master at multitasking.
But are these traits enough to make her successful in her career?
According to psychology, certain traits and habits can predict career success.
As a woman navigating the professional world, I know just how important it is to know these signs.
So, if you’re like me, read on to learn the signs that you will be highly successful in your career—according to psychology.
Signs of a highly successful woman
Some women seem destined for greatness in their careers. They’re not only ambitious but also have an uncanny ability to balance their personal and professional lives.
Psychology points out certain characteristics and behaviors that are commonly found in highly successful women.
While there are numerous traits, here are the nine crucial signs that indicate a woman’s potential to achieve significant success in her career:
- Confident: She believes in her abilities and doesn’t let failures deter her.
- Visionary: She has a clear vision of her career goals and the steps needed to achieve them.
- Proactive: She takes initiative and doesn’t wait for opportunities to come to her.
- Resilient: She is not easily discouraged by setbacks or failures.
- Emotionally intelligent: She is aware of and can manage her emotions, and she understands the emotions of others.
- Adaptable: She can quickly adapt to changes and is open to new ideas and perspectives.
- Articulate: She can clearly express ideas and effectively influence others.
- Open to learning: She is always eager to learn new things, improve skills, and gain knowledge.
- Balanced: She knows how to balance her personal life and professional commitments.
While these traits don’t guarantee success, they are indicators that a woman has the potential to achieve great things in her career.
Still, understanding these signs can provide valuable insights into a woman’s career trajectory.
Let’s discuss these signs in detail so you know how you could nurture them in your own career path:
1) Self-confidence
A common sign of a woman who will be highly successful in her career is an innate sense of self-confidence. She firmly believes in her skills, abilities, and worth.
This doesn’t mean she’s arrogant—she simply believes in her own capabilities.
She knows that she can accomplish her goals and doesn’t let fear of failure or others’ opinions hold her back.
This unwavering confidence often propels her to take on challenges head-on and carve out her path to success.
2) Emotional intelligence
According to psychology, a highly successful woman in her career often possesses a high degree of Emotional Intelligence (EI).
EI, a concept developed by psychologists Peter Salovey and John Mayer, and popularized by Daniel Goleman, refers to the ability to identify, use, understand, and manage emotions in positive ways.
A woman with high EI can navigate complex social networks, manage team dynamics, and lead effectively.
She is able to understand her own emotions and those of others and use this emotional information to guide her thinking and behavior.
This skill not only helps her maintain strong personal relationships but also significantly contributes to her professional success.
3) Resilience
Another significant sign of a highly successful woman is resilience. She has the ability to bounce back from setbacks and failures without losing her drive to succeed.
No matter the challenges she faces, she remains determined and focused on her goals.
This trait contributes greatly to her long-term success in any career path she chooses.
4) Empathy
While it might seem unrelated to career success, empathy is a crucial trait of highly successful women.
Why?
Because empathy—the ability to understand and share the feelings of others—allows her to build strong relationships, foster team cohesion, and lead with compassion.
This creates a positive work environment that encourages collaboration and innovation, key factors in achieving career success.
5) Acceptance of failure
Let’s be real: failure is an inevitable part of any career journey.
Highly successful women don’t shy away from this fact. Instead, they embrace failure as a learning opportunity. They understand that it’s not about never failing, but about getting back up each time they fall.
This ability to learn from mistakes and move forward is a powerful predictor of career success.
6) Kindness and compassion
In a professional world that often prioritizes competitiveness, a highly successful woman knows the value of kindness and compassion.
She treats her colleagues with respect, appreciates their contributions, and fosters a supportive work environment.
This empathy not only uplifts those around her but also contributes to her own career success by building strong, positive relationships.
7) Balance
It’s a reality we all face: juggling professional responsibilities with personal life.
A highly successful woman understands the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. She knows when to switch off from work mode and give time to her personal life and self-care.
This balance enhances her productivity, prevents burnout, and contributes substantially to her overall success in her career.
8) Sense of humor
Who said successful women don’t know how to have fun?
A great sense of humor can actually be a sign of career success.
Being able to laugh, even in stressful situations, can alleviate tension and foster a positive work environment. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with colleagues and clients and be on their level!
9) Persistence
Let’s get straight to the point here: success doesn’t come easy. A highly successful woman knows this and is prepared to persist, even when things get tough.
She doesn’t give up at the first sign of difficulty. Instead, she digs deep, stays focused, and keeps pushing toward her goals.
This stubborn determination to succeed, despite obstacles, is what sets her apart and propels her towards achieving great things in her career.
10) Self-belief
The most important trait of a highly successful woman is her unshakeable belief in herself.
She trusts in her abilities, values her worth, and knows that she is capable of achieving her career goals.
Regardless of the challenges she faces, she never doubts her capacity to overcome them and succeed.
This self-belief is the foundation upon which all other traits are built, and it’s the one thing you should always remember and cultivate in your journey to success.
Reflecting on career success
So, you’ve identified these traits in yourself or someone you know—now what?
Recognizing these signs of a potentially successful woman is just the first step. If you see these traits in yourself, it’s time to harness them and take control of your career journey.
If these signs resonate with someone you know, it’s an opportunity to support and learn from them.
As renowned psychologist Dr. Carol S. Dweck says, “In a growth mindset, challenges are exciting rather than threatening. So rather than thinking, ‘Oh, I’m going to reveal my weaknesses,’ you say, ‘Wow, here’s a chance to grow.'”
Remember, having these traits doesn’t guarantee success, but they can certainly increase your chances of achieving it. What is most important is to remain true to yourself and your values while navigating your career.
After all, success isn’t about becoming someone else, but about fully realizing your own potential.
