In the mid-1980’s, while conducting senior management retreats, it quickly became apparent that women were not in attendance.  When senior decision makers were queried as to why there were no female managers, they had no response.   They told me that they did not have any women interested in becoming managers or that the women in their organization did not have the background and training to handle management responsibilities.  

I found it hard to believe since the organizations with which I worked were large government agencies or major corporations.  This set me in the direction of surveying and interviewing women across the United States from women truck drivers to a Presidential appointee to find out what they thought made the difference in the lives of successful women.  Interestingly, almost every survey or interview pointed to factors that fell naturally in to seven categories, i.e. PROSPERITY THINKING, PATTERNS FOR POWER, POSITIONING, PRESCRIPTIONS FOR COMFORT MANAGEMENT, PROGRAMMING FOR PLAY, PRINCIPAL AND INTERESTS and PURPOSING.  For the last 15 years I have conducted training programs based on this research.  While the focus may have shifted in importance from time to time, the same factors are still reported as being vital for success in the new millennium.

An interesting aside is that I became curious as to how men would have responded.  This led to an independent survey of approximately 40 senior managers. 

The following is a synopsis of the seven factors that make the difference in the lives of successful women:

PROSPERITY THINKING is knowing that there is an abundance in all aspects of our lives, and being able to visualize and experience that abundance rather than focusing on scarcity . . .remembering Robert Louis Stevenson’s quote:  “The world is so full of a number of things, I am sure we should all be happy as kings.”  Abundance is the natural state.

PATTERNS FOR POWER, is gaining a better understanding of your personal pattern or style of working with others.  It is the interactive communication skills necessary to be in control of your life.

POSITIONING, demonstrates how to surround ourselves with an environment for success.  Positioning is allying our efforts with people who bring out the best in us, and who multiply our efforts for mutual benefit.

PRESCRIPTIONS FOR COMFORT MANAGEMENT explores strategies that transform stress management into comfort management.  It is up to each of us to choose the technique most compatible with our lifestyles and personal patterns.

PROGRAMMING FOR PLAY talks about health conditions pertinent to women and how they make a difference in our lives and overall performance.  As adults we have forgotten the therapeutic value of play and need to select a physical activity that is fun and compatible with your individual style or pattern.

PRINCIPAL AND INTERESTS is about money and achieving financial abundance.  Money is important in providing the resources for your lifetime development, to help you become what you want to be personally and professionally. 

PURPOSING is purpose plus action.  It is simply making a wish with a due date otherwise known as goal setting.  It is the opportunity to set your personal and professional goals which act as a catalyst for living up to your fullest potential.