March is Women’s History Month, but we’re here to honor game changing women EVERY day! One of the best parts about hosting my podcast, Game Changers with Molly Fletcher, is that I’ve had the opportunity to sit down with so many women from all walks of life that are making an incredible impact in the world. From Olympians to founders to activists and leaders, I’m proud and humbled to share their stories. Here are just a few of the best pieces of advice I’ve walked away with during these conversations.
What women inspire you to change the game? I’d love to know what guests you want to hear from next on the podcast. Email me your suggestions!
Do the hard things.
Angela Duckworth has a rule in her family called The Hard Thing Rule. It has three components: 1) Everyone has to do a hard thing that requires deliberate daily practice 2) You can quit, but not at any time 3) You get to pick your hard thing. Want to instill more grit in yourself, your kids or your team members? Adopt the ‘hard thing rule’ for your family or your team!
Find a sponsor, not a mentor.
Carla Harris began her career on Wall Street at a time where few of her colleagues were African-American or women. Over the years, she’s learned a thing or two about the pathway to success. The most critical relationship for women in the workplace? Find a sponsor—someone who will advocate for you and be your champion when you aren’t in the room.
Change the view of what’s possible.
Growing up as a kid in Chicago, Candace Parker idolized her older brothers, Michael Jordan, and the Chicago Bulls. But when the WNBA started when she was 11, her view of what was possible for herself expanded. Now a star in the WNBA, Candace and her daughter recently became investors in the NWSL franchise Angel City FC, further reimaging what’s possible.
Be better than you were the day before.
Soccer star Carli Lloyd separated herself from the competition with her work ethic and relentless drive. Her “empty the tank” mentality stems from a simple philosophy that I saw in every top performer: be better than you were the day before.
Know the value of knowing your value.
Talking to Cleo Wade is like having morning coffee with an old friend; there’s a reason she’s been called “The Millennial Oprah” by The New York Times. Cleo talks about the power of mantras, and my favorite is this one: Know the value of knowing your value. Don’t wait for anyone to tell you what you are worth!
Find your identity in your soul, not your role.
In her book Untamed, Glennon Doyle shares what happens when we stop striving to meet others’ expectations and start trusting the voice within us. Too many people confuse what they do with who they are. Our roles in life will always change, so don’t place your identity in them.
Trust your intuition.
Jamie Kern Lima went from Denny’s waitress to founder of a multibillion-dollar cosmetics brand. She’s the founder of IT Cosmetics, a company she started in her living room and sold to L’Oreal for $1.2 billion, earning her a place on Forbes “Richest Self-Made Women” list. At least that’s the highlight version of her story. Jamie shares the self-doubt and failures she overcame on her journey, and why success ultimately boils down to trusting your intuition.
Act more, think less, be authentic.
Katty Kay spent years studying the science of confidence and literally wrote the book on it, The Confidence Code. In it, she shares the magic formula for confidence: act more, think less and be authentic.
Be so good they can’t ignore you.
From the Olympics to the Super Bowl, Maria Taylor has covered it all as a sports broadcaster for NBC. How did she get her opportunity? A simple mantra: be so good they can’t ignore you. Maria talks about the hustle, drive, and resilience required to succeed in the fast-paced, competitive world of sports entertainment.
Let go of other people’s expectations.
Payal Kadakia left a successful corporate career to start ClassPass, which recently was acquired by MindBody after a valuation of more than $1B. Payal talked about the freedom she felt once she learned to let go of other people’s expectations and decided to redefine success on her own terms.
Don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself
Priyanka Chopra Jonas | Episode 109
Priyanka Chopra Jonas isn’t afraid to shake things up. Growing up as a military kid, she realized the power of reinventing herself every time she went to a new place. That allowed her to embrace change at an early age which now translates into her multifaceted career as an actor, producer, investor and philanthropist.
Be brave, not perfect.
Where along the way did we trade in our confidence and courage for approval and acceptance? Reshma Saujani is the founder of Girls Who Code and the Marshall Plan for Moms. She’s spent her career fighting for women and girls’ economic empowerment, most recently advocating for policies to support moms impacted by the pandemic.
The Molly Fletcher Company inspires leaders, teams and organizations to kick-start growth. A keynote speaker and author, Molly draws on her decades of experiences working as a sports agent. Her company offers training and coaching programs to help leaders unleash their potential, including: Game Changer Negotiation Training, which teaches business people a framework for successful negotiating; The Energized Leader training, which teaches people how to manage their energy to achieve focus and freedom; and a monthly coaching program, Game Changer Leadership Huddles, to help members recharge their purpose and mindset. Sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter and subscribe to the Game Changers with Molly Fletcher podcast on iTunes.