Success Advice
15 Leadership Lessons From the World’s Top Female Founders

The Covid-19 pandemic has tested the leadership skills of global leaders both in government and in the private sector, but have male or female bosses handled these rolling crises better? According to a Harvard Business Review study, it’s the women who have proved to be stronger leaders, but what is their secret?
There is no one secret behind great leadership, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can learn from the women who have made a success out of leading others. OnDeck has gathered 15 essential lessons from some of the top female founders and CEOs, offering inspiration and advice for anyone at any stage of their own leadership journeys.
The first of these comes from Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd, who said: “When you accept that failure is a good thing, it can actually be a huge propeller toward success.” Of course, that’s easier said than done, so how can you look on the bright side of failure?
The guide offers tips like not worrying what other people think, because most of us are too busy worrying about ourselves to notice what’s happening to someone else. It’s also important to see it as a learning experience on your journey rather than an end point.
Another important lesson comes from Flickr co-founder Caterina Fake: “So often people are working hard at the wrong thing. Working on the right thing is probably more important than working hard.” As founders it’s often difficult to prioritise, but doing so reduces your stress, improves your productivity and gives you focus.
Lessons like these can transform your leadership style for the better, so why not read the rest of what these female founders have to say and see what a difference it can make to your business?
Change Your Mindset
You Become What You Absorb: How Input Shapes Your Life
We let the world dictate who we spend time with and what input we allow in, rarely stopping to consider the effects it’s having on us

“Input” is anything from the outside world that influences your mood, mindset, and emotional state. It includes the media you consume, the books you read, the podcasts and music you listen to, and the movies and shows you watch. But it also encompasses much more: the environment you live and work in, the conversations you have, the people you surround yourself with, and the events, personal or global, that unfold around you. (more…)
Success Advice
This Overlooked Skill Drives Real Business Growth
It strengthens relationships, enhances decision-making, and fosters trust.

In every successful leader’s toolkit, one skill stands out above the rest: the ability to listen. While good leaders are known for making confident decisions, great leaders understand that those decisions are only as strong as the information they’re based on. And that information? It comes from truly listening to their teams, peers, and even critics. (more…)
Personal Development
The Real Reason Successful People Are Never Late
More than just good manners, punctuality is a vital professional and personal trait.

How do you feel when your flight is delayed, throwing your entire schedule into chaos? Or when a patient dies due to a doctor’s tardiness? What about missing a job opportunity because your driver showed up late? And how do you react when someone walks in late without the basic courtesy of apologizing? (more…)
Personal Development
Why Humility Is the Real Superpower in Leadership
Humble leadership doesn’t mean being passive or unsure of yourself.

In today’s fast-paced, high-stakes business world, especially in industries like construction and finance, leadership is often mistaken for control, authority, or having all the answers. But the leaders who last and leave the deepest impact tend to operate from a very different place: humility. (more…)
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