How to Stop Waiting for Permission: Career Growth Strategies for Women in Leadership
Meta Description – Are you waiting for permission to advance in your career? It’s time to take charge. Discover leadership strategies for women to stop waiting, speak up, and step into success.
SEO Keywords Career growth, career Growth strategies for women, Women in leadership, Stop waiting for permission, Leadership for women in the workplace, promotion, How to get promoted at work, Breaking barriers, male-dominated industries, career advancement for women
When I think about the strongest, most powerful women I’ve met—women who have shattered glass ceilings, broken barriers, and redefined what leadership looks like—there’s one thing they all have in common: they didn’t wait for permission.
Now, let me ask you something. How many times have you seen a colleague step into a big opportunity, land that well-earned promotion, or take a seat at the table you’ve been circling for years? And how many times have you thought, “I’ve done the work, I’ve proven myself—why not me?”
For so many of us, the answer is this: we’ve been waiting. Waiting for someone to recognise us. Waiting for someone to invite us in. Waiting for permission.
Well, I’m here to tell you, no one is coming to give you permission. Because you don’t need it. You never have.
Why Women Struggle to Claim Leadership Roles
I once coached a brilliant, hardworking woman—sharp, dedicated, the kind of professional who went above and beyond every single day. Yet, when a leadership role opened up, it went to someone else. And her first thought? Maybe I’m not leadership material.
That broke my heart. Not because she wasn’t ready—she was more than ready. But because she had been waiting for permission she didn’t need.
From the time we are little girls, we are taught to be polite, to raise our hands, to wait our turn. And then we carry that mindset into our careers. We assume that if we put our heads down and work hard, we’ll be recognised. That if we stay quiet and humble, someone will notice our efforts. But the world doesn’t work that way.
The world rewards those who show up and speak up. And that’s exactly what I told her to do.
How to Stop Waiting and Take Action
If you are tired of waiting, if you are ready to step into the fullness of your power, here’s where to start:
1. Own Your Impact
Stop just listing what you do. Start framing your work in terms of impact. Instead of saying, “I manage project timelines,” say, “I lead teams to deliver high-value projects that drive business results.”
2. Stop Waiting for Recognition
Your work speaks volumes, but are you making sure people hear it? Start highlighting your achievements, sharing your successes, and making your contributions impossible to ignore.
3. Ask for What You Want
Your boss is not a mind reader. If you want a leadership role, say so. If you want a promotion, ask for it. If you want a seat at the table, pull up a chair.
The Moment That Changes Everything
The woman I coached? She stopped waiting. She booked a meeting with her boss. And she walked in prepared, clear, and confident.
She didn’t just hope to be seen—she made them see her. She didn’t just wait for the opportunity—she positioned herself as the obvious choice.
And guess what? She got the promotion.
Your Next Move: Give Yourself Permission to Succeed
If you’re feeling stuck, overlooked, or waiting for someone to tap you on the shoulder, ask yourself:
Are you really stuck? Or are you waiting for permission you don’t need?
💡 Action Steps:
✔ Reflect on how you present your contributions—are you showcasing leadership impact?
✔ Speak up about your career goals—don’t assume others know what you want.
✔ Shift your mindset from waiting to leading—start making moves that position you for success.
The world is not going to hand you a seat at the table. You have to claim it. Take what’s yours.
And when you do, know that I—and so many other women—are right here cheering you on.
Now, go get it.