How do we help women to shine within the workplace?

Today’s guest, Ria Story, overcame a tragic childhood to become a successful and confident leader, and motivates other female professionals to help them reach their full potential. She joins us to discuss gender bias in the workplace, the correlation between success and positive attitude, and confidence and authenticity.

Ria has published nine books, with her most recent one being Leadership Gems for Women: 30 Characteristics of Very Successful Women, and she works as a motivational speaker where she proves that “it’s not what happens to you, it’s who you become because of it.”

On today’s podcast:

The definition of leadership

Ria’s book – Leadership Gems for Women: 30 Characteristics of Very Successful Women

How important is authenticity in the workplace?

Success and positive attitude

Confidence tips for female professionals

Gender bias in the workplace

Links:

Ria’s book in print or eBook on Amazon

Ria’s website

The definition of leadership

Ria used to have the impression that she wasn’t a natural or gifted leader, until she realised that leadership is defined by influence.

We influence everyone around us, so the key to becoming a great leader is figuring out how we can influence people positively. When you approach leadership in this way, you realise that leadership is indeed a verb, not a noun, and that in actioning it you can influence someone every day.

These principles apply in the workplace at all levels, as you can influence your peers, your team, and your manager, but also at home where you can influence your spouse and your children positively.

Ria’s book – Leadership Gems for Women: 30 Characteristics of Very Successful Women

The motivation behind this publication came from Ria wanting to write a book that contained concepts and principles of leadership which she wished she’d known when she started in her career.

As there are more than 30 characteristics of very successful women, she thought it important to pick the most impactful principles which would have helped as she transitioned and progressed in her career as it’s important to share wisdom, knowledge and experiences to others facing the same obstacles.

Ria says that her biggest challenge in the workplace which she needed to overcome to be able to improve herself and progress in her career, was herself and her own limitations. She wasn’t a natural communicator as she had grown up in an isolated and abusive environment, and wasn’t a natural in conversation. As she grew in her career, she worked to improve her communication skills as she recognised how important this is to be able to become a successful influencer.

Ria didn’t have the natural gift of communication and leadership but taught herself the key principles to make it happen. She claims “if I can do it, anyone can.”

Leadership is something in which we can all improve on and get better at, and the tried and true principles which have been around for a long time are all noted in Leadership Gems for Women: 30 Characteristics of Very Successful Women. The principles work in every situation, and it is a natural progression for influence to increase if we take the principles and do them well.

How important is authenticity in the workplace?

It is critical to be authentic in the workplace, and to represent yourself in a true and honest way. Authenticity is sometimes incorrectly perceived as a weakness as it does require us to be vulnerable, however if we are able to admit to not knowing an answer to something or to admit to making a mistake, it builds trust with people around us.

No one is perfect, and people want to know that leaders know they’re not perfect and are comfortable...