Global Women's Leadership Network - Pink Paper

#4: Create a personal strategic plan and review personal growth performance regularly GWLN members recommend that women create a personal strategic plan to identify leadership positions they want to grow into, then map specific steps to reach them. Not only does this benefit women in advancing in leadership, but also it hones strategic planning skills that are essential for executive work. Women tend to hold back from developing and prioritizing their own individual plans, often due to social and cultural expectations that women must first manage their family’s activities. GWLN members recommend that women articulate their goals and map the gaps between present and future, then identify intermediate steps to reach them, including growth assignments, training courses, conferences, mentorship, and other networking opportunities that build and expand one’s skill set and experience. Plans are only as effective as their implementation, so GWLN members suggest that women need to monitor and measure their progress on a regular basis. Women should convene their personal board of advisors to review performance on at least an annual basis, then solicit feedback and support as needs evolve. The review process need not be formal or time-consuming. 12 | 2021 GWLN Pink Paper “We don’t set ourselves as a priority with a plan, as women.” “At the end of year, I gather with a friend, and we say in three minutes what our accomplishments are, then three minutes what we didn’t do. Then we take three minutes to describe our goals for next year. If you take too long, [you will] worry about it.” PERSONAL STRATEGIC PLAN A personal strategic plan enables women to identify their leadership goals and map specific activities and support needed to get there.