What these leaders want you to know about career success

As I mentioned in a recent post, as part of Citi’s annual International Women’s Day celebration this year, we explored what single, defining personal characteristic led to career success, however they may define it. In How Going “Big” Can Propel Your Progress, I shared highlights from a conversation on this topic on Citi’s internal social collaboration site, which was enthusiastically received (so thank you!).

Continuing with this theme, today’s post provides highlights from a Citi Blog series featuring the stories of influential women – some from Citi, and others from the business, academic and non-profit sectors – about the defining moment in time that led to their progress. Click on the hyperlinks to read the blog posts from these inspiring leaders.

Take responsibility for what you could have done differently – and what you will change going forward.” – Ana Duarte McCarthy, Chief Diversity Officer, Citi

Accept steep challenges – and the risk of failure.” – Ana Maria Fernandez, CCO, Citibank Nicaragua

Use your voice selectively but forcefully. And, remember: your big mouth does its greatest good when you give credit where credit is due, and when you admit when you are wrong.” – Suni Harford, Managing Director, Regional Head of Markets, NA Citi

Learn how and when to push, and how to navigate the unknown.” –Deborah Hopkins, CEO, Citi Ventures and Chief Innovation Officer, Citi

Anything can look like a failure in the middle. Pushing through this challenging mid-point is the only path to success.” – Professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Harvard Business School

A career is a marathon not a sprint; be adventurous and enjoy the scenery along the way.” – Christine Lam, Country Business Manager, Citi Consumer Banking, Hong Kong

Never be too focused that you don’t hear opportunity knocking.” – Geeta Menon, Dean of the Undergraduate College, Abraham Krasnoff Professor of Global Business & Professor of Marketing, NYU Stern School of Business

Education, experiences and entrepreneurial spirit are what fuels progress.” – Farah Mohamed, Founder & CEO, G(irls)20

Don’t settle for the comfortable….don’t give up when the path got bumpy but, stay the course and challenge yourself to fulfill your dreams.” – Ireti Samuel-Ogbu, Managing Director, EMEA Payments and Receivables Head, Treasury and Trade Solutions

Take doubters in stride because some of those ideas will be worth having kept.” – Professor Linda Scott, DP World Chair for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Said Business School, University of Oxford

The secret to building relationships is this: ask, don’t tell.” – Lisa Stone, Co-Founder BlogHer

Persevere through the challenges of managing their professional careers and family life. At every stage of your education and career stay the course.” –Diana Taylor, Managing Director, Wolfensohn & Co. and Member of Citi Board of Directors

This article is published in collaboration with LinkedIn. Publication does not imply endorsement of views by the World Economic Forum.

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Author: Linda Descano is the Managing Director and Global Head of Content & Social at Citi.