6 Habits Holding Women Back in Leadership

Can you really unlock your next level of executive leadership without working more hours?

I know it sounds impossible. But here's what I've learned after more than a decade of coaching high-achieving leaders - especially women: the problem isn't your intelligence or dedication. The problem is unconscious habits you may not even realize are undermining your career.

When I was rising in corporate leadership, I was successful, smart, and strategic. Yet I kept falling into certain patterns that held me back. And I've seen these same hidden habits play out again and again with my clients.

The good news? These aren't fixed traits. You can change them.

Habit 1: Focusing on Your Job Instead of Your Career 

Most successful women are incredibly dedicated to their jobs. You work tirelessly for your team, your senior leaders, your company. But there's a cost.

You become so focused on excelling in your current role that you neglect building your long-term career. You don't have a career strategy.

Here's what happens. You keep your head down and do amazing work. Meanwhile, colleagues who are building visibility, networking, and positioning themselves are the ones who get tapped for promotions. 

The fix: Block 30 minutes each week for career strategy time. A meeting with yourself to align your actions with your long-term goals.

Habit 2: Staying Silent About Your Achievements

Women often believe good work will speak for itself. But in corporate environments, what isn't visible often isn't rewarded.

If you don't speak up about your achievements, people may assume you're content where you are. Or worse, they might think you're not leadership material.

One client of mine, a senior vice president at a Fortune 100 company, was reluctant to talk about her achievements. She felt she was showing off. But when we worked on owning her accomplishments, her peers began treating her like the exceptional leader she really is.

The fix: Keep a wins journal. Before any important meeting, pull from it and speak confidently about the impact you're making.

Habit 3: Not Leveraging Your Relationships

Building relationships comes naturally to most women. But too many stop short of leveraging those relationships for career advancement.

Without senior colleagues who actively advocate for you, you can miss out on high-growth assignments, visibility, and promotions.

Ursula Burns often spoke about how critical others were in her rise at Xerox. She once said, "Dreams do come true, but not without the help of others."

The fix: If you've supported others, allow them to support you. Be bold. Ask for support.

Habit 4: The People Pleasing Trap

If you find yourself saying yes to everything, especially the thankless tasks, you've fallen into the trap of people pleasing.

According to research highlighted in a Harvard Business Review article, the median female employee spent 200 more hours per year on non-promotable work than her male counterparts. An entire month of labor with no career payoff. (1)

I once worked with a VP who had become the go-to for everything in her department. She was exhausted and underappreciated.

We practiced one simple tactic: "Let me think about it and get back to you." That pause gave her the space to say no or delegate.Within weeks, her calendar had space for higher-impact activities that did get noticed.

The fix: Align your decisions with what matters most to your career.

Habit 5: Overthinking and Ruminating 

Overthinking shows up as analysis paralysis or replaying mistakes on repeat. Research shows women are more prone to rumination than men.

The problem? It erodes confidence and delays action. You hesitate, doubt yourself, and miss opportunities that other colleagues seize.
 

I used to struggle with this myself. What changed everything was learning to build awareness and consciously interrupt those negative loops.

The fix: As you become more strategic about your career, you'll feel more inspired to focus on what's possible and keep moving forward.

Habit 6: Being a Perfectionist

Perfectionism may feel like something to be proud of, but it's a career killer. It traps you in the details, makes you afraid to take risks, and keeps you from bigger opportunities.

As a recovered perfectionist, my wake-up call came from Napoleon Hill: "Begin at once, whether you are ready or not."

For years, I waited until everything was perfectly aligned. Today, I prioritize taking action over waiting for perfection. That shift has made all the difference.

The fix: Focus on excellence and progress, not perfection.

Your Next Level Starts Here 

By replacing the patterns that hold you back with empowering practices, you create alignment with your highest potential.

When your habits align with your vision, your results can't help but rise.

To support you, I've created a FREE GUIDE: 6 Habits That Hold Women Back (And How to Change Them) Download your free roadmap to identify where you're getting stuck and learn the strategies that will move you forward.

(1) Harvard Business Review (Apri 26, 2022) Are You Taking On Too Many Non Promotable Tasks? by Linda Babcock, Brenda Peyser, Lise Vesterlund and Laurie Weingart. Accessed November 3, 2025 https://hbr.org/2022/04/are-you-taking-on-too-many-non-promotable-tasks