is a major problem. As a powerful woman, others need to know you're a trustworthy and honest; this is important whether you're at the office, in a relationship, or building a female friendship.
Attacks on Your Reputation
As a woman, when you have an enemy, whether it is a competitive woman or a vindictive male, what is the first thing they will try to attack to bring you down? Your reputation.
Your reputation is a source of power. That's why people who don't like you or want to cut you down a few notches will start spreading rumors or gossip. Don't give them fuel for the fire and keep your private business as private as possible. Also, don't become a woman known for attacking the reputation of others--mind your own business.
Building and Maintaining a Positive Reputation
To summarize quickly, what are the most important elements of building a strong, positive reputation?
1 Treating your body as a temple
2 Treating and regarding others with respect
3 Handling tough situations with grace and smarts, rather than being reactionary
4 Being loyal and trustworthy to the people who love you
5 Working hard and smart at whatever you do
Managing a Soiled Reputation
What do you do when your reputation is tarnished? That's a hard question. I can only offer an opinion on this matter.
For one, I think it's important to own up to the situation (if true). Don't try to lie or cover the truth because it only makes you look more deceptive. If you were jumping from bed to bed in the past, don't try to pretend as if you've always been a saint. I think the more a woman denies something that is obviously true, the more it persists and grows. Own up to it and confront it, even if you only do so with your tightest circle of friends. You can also use a negative as a springboard toward something positive. For instance, many motivational speakers have questionable pasts, but they use the story to help others.
Start rebuilding your reputation immediately by living your life in a healthy, positive, wise, respectable, and balanced manner. Consult a trusted therapist for advice. Read books to gain knowledge and take time out with yourself to explore who you really are as a person or who you want to be. It sounds a bit trite and corny, but it's true. You can turn around a bad reputation by simply loving yourself and displaying that love to the world through your actions.
What Makes a Powerful Woman?
When you hear the words "powerful woman", what picture comes to mind? Do you envision a woman who you feel has attained success or a woman who has taken on a battle of some sort and has won? Is it a thought of a woman you feel is in a powerful job position? Do you picture a woman who appears extremely popular?
While all of these things can invoke images of power, you're seeing the end result. You're not seeing the eight simple underlying traits these women possess to get them to the point of being deemed powerful. There are many women in the world who have not lassoed what you and I see as success or who haven't had the opportunity to take on a big battle in their lives. Still, they are powerful. There are many women in normal, supportive day-to-day jobs. They're powerful, too. There are millions of women who don't exude popularity. Yet, those women can be just as powerful as the ones you picture when you hear the words, powerful woman.
Powerful women have eight individual qualities that serve as the central core of their lives. They live and breathe the first seven of these, which keep them true to themselves and help them achieve the eighth trait easily. When a woman possesses and practices these qualities daily, she becomes the essence of a true, powerful woman, no matter what her worldly picture may look like to others.
Gives It All She's Got
A powerful woman will give all she can give to any task at hand, without question and without complaint. For example, a woman salesclerk who normally spends her time at work out on the floor interacting with store customers is asked by her manager to do a task she doesn't like. When she goes into work one day, she's asked to organize a stock room, which entails moving boxes, unpacking those boxes, and placing inventory in an organized fashion on shelves. Even though it's a job she doesn't like, she takes on the task without complaint to her manager or others, and she diligently follows through to completion on the project.
Never Gives Up
A powerful woman never gives up. Period. She goes after what she wants in life, and she doesn't quit, no matter how difficult the going may get. For example, a woman decided at a young age she wanted to be an artist and make her living using her creative talents. Many obstacles are placed in her way. She has had to take other jobs just to keep food on the table. Sometimes, she's so tired she just wants to give up...but she doesn't. She keeps going, day after day, month after month, and year after year. She doesn't allow negative influences. She doesn't listen to those who put down her dream. She doesn't allow others to pull her away from her ultimate goal. And she doesn't know the meaning of the words "I can't". Plain and simple...she never gives up on her true dream. Ever.
Speaks Her Mind
A powerful woman is not afraid to speak her mind. For example, a woman is involved in a group discussion about how to fix a problem. Others who are more qualified are generous with their suggestions; however, this woman feels she has a good idea about how to fix the problem much more quickly and easily. Though it's hard for her to get a word in and even though she's in a room with seasoned professionals, she opens her mouth and shares her idea with a conviction and belief that it's the right action to take. She doesn't worry about what others will think about what she says. She isn't concerned that some may criticize her for her thoughts. She isn't attached to their acceptance of her idea. She speaks her mind with a calm confidence only a powerful woman could exude.
Respects Herself and Others
A powerful woman is respectful in all situations. For example, a married woman is asked by her co-workers to go to a bar after work. She doesn't feel comfortable in a bar environment, plus she knows her husband would be unhappy, as he looks forward to their evenings at home. Rather than going along with the crowd for fear she might not be accepted, she respects herself by declining the invitation. She does so without fear - a powerful woman always knows that acceptance must come from within, first and foremost. In addition, she respects the choices of the others who go to the bar, despite the fact she might not agree or approve. And she doesn't treat them any differently because of their choices.
Stands Up For What She Believes In
A powerful woman is confident in supporting her beliefs, no matter the consequences. For example, a woman believes that all people - regardless of race, color, creed, sex etc. - should be treated equally. In a company board meeting, a discussion ensues about hiring a particular applicant, who happens to be a mother of two, versus hiring another applicant, who happens to have no children. Despite the fact
