We’re back with the third 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.

Authentic Leadership and Emotional Safety

Oh, my goodness, yes. My definition of success has evolved greatly over the years. I spent my first twenty years in corporate, drawing upon all of my masculine traits. Because of that (and my work ethic), I found myself over time in the c-suite surrounded by all male colleagues. I never discussed my motherhood, ignored the fact that I breastfed for two years, and pushed my lumpectomy under the rug. Anything that made me appear female (or anything that made me unrelatable to my male colleagues or reminded me of their stay-at-homes wives) I swept under the rug. Success for me in my current season of life (now a business owner myself) is untangling my past, working with a coach and a therapist on ‘who I want to be’ in this season of life, and embracing my femininity AND my leadership. There’s a lot to unpack, but this process has me more magnetic and successful than I’ve ever been. It feels RIGHT for the first time in my professional life.

Kerri Roberts, Founder & CEO, Salt & Light Advisors

Balanced Pursuit of Goals and Integrity

When I was young and climbing the corporate ladder in a male-dominated industry, I tried extremely hard to be like “men” in leadership roles. I hid my feminine qualities and strived for titles, promotions, pay increases, and prestige, just like them. About 15 years ago, I was looking at my own website and realized something was missing: me! I erased the very traits that made me unique. I revamped everything and stopped trying to cover up who I am. Now, my measure of success is authenticity – being true to myself, my passions, and my talents. My aim is to help others find themselves and create a healthy balance between home and work. We all deserve to go home feeling like we made a difference in the world!

Lorraine Bossé-Smith, Chief Solutions Officer, Concept One LLC

Empowering Teams and Achieving Goals

As a woman in leadership, my definition of success has evolved significantly over the years. Early in my career, I saw success as reaching milestones, achieving goals, and making a measurable impact. It was about climbing the ladder, proving myself, and constantly moving forward.

Today, success has taken on a broader, more meaningful definition. It’s about leading with purpose, fostering growth in others, and creating an environment where people feel seen, valued, and empowered. Success now includes balance-between my professional goals and my personal well-being. I’ve learned that true success is sustainable, compassionate, and adaptable.

Ultimately, success isn’t just about what I achieve, but the positive impact I leave behind, the resilience I build, and the connections I create. It’s about being able to look back and know that I led with integrity, empathy, and purpose.

Jadranka Bozja, CEO, Paragon Corporate Wellness

Balancing Family and Entrepreneurship

My definition of success is being able to balance family & being an entrepreneur. Having children and being a working parent is a lot to balance on its own, but adding in running a business with the mental space that occupies can be impossible to handle.

Success for me is being able to build a business that provides not only a great service to other businesses and employees people in positions they find meaningful, but being able to put it all aside and be there to raise my kids when the school day is done.

This may seem counter to our culture of work non-stop, startup life being 24/7, busyness as a flex syndrome, but feeling able to be a whole human and not just a business owner has been something I’m really proud to have accomplished.

Chelsea Clark, Founder & CEO, momfluence

Work-Life Balance and Passionate Work

It used to be financial only, but now it’s a combination of work-life balance, flexibility, doing work I love, and yes-being compensated well for it. As a coach, author, and podcast host, I’m grateful I get to do work I’m passionate about during hours that work for my family’s schedule so I can also show up as a mother and wife, as well as, a business owner. Not everyday is perfect (far from it), but overall, this feels like success to me.

Marisa Lonic, Founder & CEO, Mama Work It  and  Marisa Lonic Coaching & Consulting

Redefining Success Beyond Metrics

My definition of success has changed a lot, instead of looking at finish lines — numbers, job titles, houses or cars, or a level of public profile – I factor in things like whether I get to do work that at least sometimes lets me feel like I made a genuine difference in the lives of other people.  Success to me is about  working with people I respect and admire for people I want to help succeed. To me, growth for growth’s sake is meaningless, but profitable growth with interesting clients solving important problems is what keeps me engaged and excited. It’s about the ability to spend time with people I love and care about.  Creating an environment where your team and clients feel valued and appreciated makes me feel proud that I have built a successful business.  Success is very personal so your definition will be–and should be–different than mine.  Being helpful to my husband/friends/clients/nieces/nephews/godkids/mentees makes me happy. It is great knowing my experience and hard fought lessons learned can be put to good use as a wife/ advisor/coach/consultant/friend/ volunteer/aunt/godmother /Board member.

Paige Arnof-Fenn, Founder & CEO, Mavens & Moguls

Inclusive and Uplifting Leadership

My definition of success used to be centered almost entirely on my title and the perceived value others attributed to that. As a leader in the predominantly gendered field of HR, my work was often undervalued and even the people I looked up to in my area of expertise were excluded from strategic conversations. My view of success has shifted from those who have the power to exclude others, to those who go out of their way to include, share, and uplift. I’ll know I’m successful not by my title or proximity to the CEO, but by how many people I’ve helped, had hard conversations with, or shown empathy to when they needed it most.

Carly Henderson, Founder & Principal, Hence Talent

Creating Lasting Impact in Leadership

As a woman in leadership, my definition of success has evolved significantly over the years. Initially, I may have focused more on personal achievements and career milestones. However, as I’ve progressed in my journey, I’ve come to realize that true success encompasses a broader perspective, especially considering the challenges women face in the workplace.

Today, I define success as doing all that I can with the gifts and opportunities I’ve been given, recognizing that there is much at stake for the future. I believe that every woman has a crucial role to play, particularly in addressing the challenges of diversity, equality, and inclusion.

Success, to me, means standing up and making our voices heard – at home, in the office, on projects, in the boardroom, and throughout the workplace. It’s about leveraging our strengths and inspiring organizational dedication while paving the way for other women to rise. Ultimately, success is not just about personal accomplishments, but about creating a lasting impact that benefits all women and contributes to a more equitable and inclusive society.

Yemisi Iyilade, Principal, Eminent Coaching Academy

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