What do the most powerful women in business have that you don't? Why do some women you work with rise to the top while you struggle to make an impression where you are? And, what does it mean to be a powerful woman anyway? 
The question of power is just as significant for men in the workplace as it is for women. The definition of power is simply:' the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.' (Google definitions). At first glance that doesn't seem too difficult particularly for women in a management role. However, as a business coach and mentor to dozens of women, I can tell you that just because someone has put you in the position to manage others does not guarantee that you will acquire power...that is completely up to you.
In business, real power is based on the ability to do two things: influence others and make a difference to the bottom line. Yes, the old cliche 'power is money' is absolute. As I work with women in business, I have realized that some women are not comfortable with focusing on the bottom line, in other words, focusing on making money. They understand that business is about profit, but the desire to create an impact on the world around them is often more important to them than how much money they bring in. So, rather than blog about how developing greater wealth for your business you have a better chance of doing good works I ask that you read the infographic attached to this blog. Each woman of power is described by the financial impact she has on her company. That's right, in order to become a powerful woman who must be comfortable with putting yourself out there on the line for the business and generate more profits than the next guy or gal.
As our definition states, power changes the course of events and that happens positively in business when profits rise and the company grows. Indra Nooyi, Pepsico,; Ginny Rometty, IBM; Ellen Kullman, Dupont; and Ursula Burns, Xerox, prove that power in business comes from adding market share and that happens by focusing on the bottom line.
These women are also influencers at their firms and at companies around the world. Meg Whitman Hewlett-Packard, used her influence and made a run for Governor of California, winning the Republican primary. Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook, perhaps is known as the most influential woman in business in history as she has managed to take her message to the masses of women in business through her book Lean In and her Lean In networks.
So, again, I ask you, what do these women have that you don't? It may be a simple as that they seem to be fearless. It may be that fear is exactly what gets them up in the morning and keeps them motivated. Too many of us don't use fear to our advantage. In other words, ask yourself what is the absolute worst scenario that could happen if you go for your dream? The answer may be embarrassment, loss of job, financial loss, or hit to your ego. Each one of these situations is repairable. What isn't achievable if you don't try is your opportunity to soar as a powerful woman.
Someday I hope a book will be written about all the failures men and women of power had on their way to the top. So often we hear only about the successes and the falls are rarely reported. Every woman on the list started much closer to YOU than you might think. Some, perhaps, may have started even what might be your shadow. All that is important for you now is that you see yourself in a position to gain the power you were meant to embrace.
Power is not something to fear. Power provides an individual the opportunity to change the world in very positive ways as using one's influence and money can change the course.
Finally, perhaps what these women have that you don't is the ability to see themselves as the change the world needs and the faces women like you can aspire to. Seize your power and make a difference.
This infographic comes from http://www.brightonsbm.com/hnc-hnd-courses/hnc-business.php