As a female CEO, you need to handle the big and small stuff with equal amounts of grace. But what exactly are the skills that you need to succeed? Here are the power skills every female CEO needs. These range from handling difficult conversations, to networking like a pro, to always staying one step ahead. Add these tools to your arsenal and watch your career take off!

The top skills you need to thrive in the C-suite

There’s no question that women have come a long way in the business world. Women are now starting and running their own businesses at an unprecedented rate.

However, despite all of this progress, there is still a significant gender gap when it comes to top leadership positions. For example, women make up just 5% of Fortune 500 CEOs and less than 20% of board members at S&P 500 companies.

So, what does it take to be a successful female CEO? Here are four essential power skills that every female CEO needs:

1. Strategic Thinking

One of the most important power skills for any CEO is strategic thinking. This involves seeing the big picture and developing long-term plans to help achieve business goals.

2. Financial Management

Another essential power skill for female CEOs is financial management. This involves effectively managing a company’s finances and making sound decisions about where to invest resources.

3. People Management

People management is another key power skill that all CEOs need. This involves being able to motivate and inspire employees, as well as manage difficult situations.

4. Communication

Finally, communication is an important power skill for all CEOs, but it is especially important for female CEOs. This involves being able to clearly and concisely communicate your vision to employees, shareholders, and the public.

If you want to be a successful female CEO, you must develop these power skills. Then, you can reach the top of your field with hard work and dedication.

Traits every powerful female leader possesses

There’s no one-size-fits-all blueprint for what makes a great female leader, but there are certain traits and qualities that many of the most successful women in leadership positions share. Here are eight of the most important:

1. Confidence

The first quality on this list should come as no surprise: confidence is essential for any leader, male or female. After all, how can you expect others to have faith in your abilities if you don’t believe in yourself? But it’s especially important for women, who face unique challenges and biases in the workplace. By exuding confidence, you can help to change the perceptions of what a “leader” looks like and prove that women are just as capable as men.

2. Passion

Whether it’s a passion for your work, your team, or your cause, the most successful female leaders are driven by something larger than themselves. This passion fuels their drive to achieve their goals and inspires those around them to do the same.

3. Resilience

The ability to pick yourself up after setbacks and continue moving forward is another critical quality for any leader. But it’s especially important for women, who often face more obstacles and challenges than their male counterparts. By demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity, you can set an example for others and show them that it’s possible to overcome anything.

4. Emotional intelligence

While emotional intelligence is valuable for anyone, it’s especially important for female leaders. This is because women are often seen as more emotional than men, which can be used against them in the workplace. By developing your emotional intelligence, you can better understand and control your emotions and use them to your advantage in personal and professional interactions.

5. Decisiveness

The ability to make quick and confident decisions is another key quality for any leader. But it’s especially important for women, who are often seen as more hesitant and indecisive than men. By being decisive, you can show that you’re capable of making tough choices and handling whatever comes your way.

6. Mentorship

Mentoring others is an important responsibility for any leader. But it’s especially important for women, who can use their mentorship to help other women advance in their careers. Being a mentor can help create a more diverse and inclusive workplace and show others that you believe in their potential.