We’re back with the second part of our four-part series “How Has the Definition of Success for Women in Leadership Evolved?” Let’s see what the experts have to say. Oddly enough, none of them mentioned shoulder pads.

Purpose and Joy in Leadership

As a woman in leadership, my definition of success has evolved over the years. Early in my career as a marketing manager, I was laser-focused on the tangible markers of success-revenue, press, and growth metrics. While these KPIs are important, I had to unlearn that success was only about numbers, because I experienced cognitive dissonance between personal success and professional success.

Through receiving a certification from Cornell University in Women’s Entrepreneurship, founding my own brand, building a woman-led culture, and leading other young women, I was able to create an environment built around a new definition of success-focusing on personal goals that create profitable team members.

For me, success now looks like having a sense of purpose, confidence, and joy in my role. As a woman in leadership, my goal is to foster a space where my team feels inspired, supported, and able to take creative risks. It’s my duty as a leader to build a brand and a culture that values people, because fulfilled people will yield metric-based success.

Lola Dominguez, Founder, Domivis

Redefining Success Beyond Titles and Wealth

Me then: “‘Success’ means I’ve hit a certain job level, income level, and have the big house and fancy car that I’ve always wanted!”

Me now: “‘Success’ means I am happy & energized as I wake up each day into a life I’ve intentionally built, doing work that is meaningful to me and positively impactful to the world around me.”

Back then, I thought climbing the corporate ladder would lead me to finally finding happiness and feeling like I was good enough in every way. However, what I found instead was something unexpected.

Back then, my definition of success was external. So what I found once I’d hit all my big goals in my corporate career was…emptiness.

My achievements were unfulfilling. I wasn’t magically, suddenly happy as I had fully expected to become at that level in my career. I was more unhappy and unhealthy than ever before. Worse yet, I felt lost. So my definition of success had to change.

Now, my definition of success is internal. It wasn’t an overnight transformation, but eventually I came to redefine success under my own terms. I’m thankful for the misguided career and life experiences that helped me learn the important distinction between someone else’s definition of success, and what ‘success’ actually means to me.

Now, I get to use all those years of misguided career and life experiences to help other women who are where I once was: excelling in a career that is rapidly draining you and confused why that’s happening.

If that strikes a chord within you, then it’s high time to redefine ‘success’ for you!

Lindsey Kee, Women’s Self Trust Coach, Lindsey Kee Coaching LLC

Balancing Life and Leadership

I used to define success as climbing the ladder and achieving the highest-ranked position and salary possible. After I, indeed, reached one of the highest levels possible at my prior firm and earned a very high salary, I realized that this narrative of success was a mirage and empty because I felt so run down that I was miserable. I had no time to enjoy the money that I earned. I wasn’t present for my relationships.

Now, I define success as gaining two things: (1) time to enjoy life and (2) money to invest in issues and companies I believe in.

You can’t get back more time, so having the ability to slow down and enjoy the moment is truly precious. Enjoying life means taking time for self-care, spending meaningful moments with friends and family, and–for travel bugs–traveling.

Earning enough money to invest in issues includes charities that hit my heart as well as being able to invest in startups that are struggling to make the world a better place. Being a founder is a grind. Founders put in all of the blood, sweat, and tears. They are the ones that are taking on the overwhelming majority of the risk. They need investments to keep going and to achieve a goal that will improve or create a process that the world needs.

Jessie Zaylia, Founder & CEO, twrk, inc.

Self-Care and Excitement in Leadership

I am currently an entrepreneur and run a multi-million dollar business.

My first career was as an executive headhunter on Wall Street. I also went on to found 2 tech companies, with an exit and investor raises. Success to me used to mean hitting “goals” and breaking glass ceilings. Now my definition of success is an inquiry… am I taking care of myself? am I working on things that excite me? do I have time and attention for my daughter and husband? are we able to live well with a lot of space and fluidity? am I sleeping? if I were gone tomorrow would I feel good about how I spent my time?

Success is no longer about metrics of achievement but more an internal connection with HOW I am living?

Perri Chase, Founder & CEO, Perri Chase

Still trying to figure out what success looks like for you? Let’s figure it out together in Sedona.