OK, I know everyone makes mistakes now and then, and, that if you are intuitive, you learn from them. But, my goal with this blog is to point out the top 3 mistakes women in business make so that perhaps you'll stop the insanity and stop making them. 
The first mistake is to isolate yourself and keep from sharing your needs and problems with others who might be able to help. Studies show that women in business, and especially women entrepreneurs, isolate themselves more than men because they lack confidence. Why do women have less confidence than men? I just don't understand this as women are smarter, both intellectually and emotionally, and studies show that when it comes to many of their business problems they actually make better decisions than men - that is when they finally make them.
So, what can women in business do to stop from being isolated?
Join a women's network at work, at a chamber of commerce, in an industry specific organization or create one of your own with other working women. Plan to attend meetings at least once a month so you will have an opportunity to get to know members of the group well enough so that you well have bonded and built a level of trust. These women need you as much as you need them. Being truly confident means being able to show vulnerability to those close to you and build strength in areas where you have weakness. Remember that the letters in the word listen also spell silent. These groups work when you take the time to listen, be silent and share.
The second biggest mistake made by women in business is to focus too much attention on liking people and not enough attention on how people might be able to help you. A common mistake made by both men and women, but more often by women, is to hire and/or do business only with people they like. Can you imagine all the talented people that you dismiss because they haven't reached your likeability level? 
Doing business with only friends, and especially hiring only people that you believe will turn into lifelong friends, will jeopardize the potential for your business. I promise you, you can have a very successful business employing talented people who you respect, but don't necessarily want to invite to your house.
The third biggest mistake women in business make is not delegating more of their work. Just because you can do it all doesn't mean you should. This mistake is severely committed by women entrepreneurs who launch businesses believing that by doing it all they can prove they are worthy of being business owners. Of course, the fact is we all have strengths and weaknesses and when we utilize our strengths appropriately and delegate our weaknesses to others we will be more likely to be successful. So why do so many women business owners insist on doing it all? Could the reason be - look back at Top 2 Mistake - that when they hire people they like they don't like to ask them to do what we might call the dirty work? Or, is it - look back at Top 1 Mistake - they don't have the confidence to believe that their time is better spent working ON the company rather than IN the business?
Entrepreneurs who delegate work to the people with the qualifications to get the job done best are the business owners who succeed. They understand how to use their time most efficiently and productively and their bottom line proves it.
Even women in business who believe they can prove their value to a boss if they go it alone demonstrate nothing more than poor judgment if they don't delegate work that is better suited to be done by someone else.
So, women in business, stop the insanity of doing these three things over and over again.
Stop isolating yourself from others because you fear being seen a fake. Fake it' til you make it is my motto.
Stop attempting to friend everyone you meet before doing business with them or realizing they have the best qualifications for the position you have open. Surround yourself with talented people not just friends and you'll succeed in business.
And, stop trying to go it alone. Delegate, delegate, delegate! When you do what you do best and ask others to do what they do best your business will prosper.
