8 Leadership Quotes from Inspiring Female CEOs

As entrepreneurs, we are fueled by inspiration. Whether things are going great, the path feels challenging, or you're experiencing hard times, other powerful women can often provide the best advice for how to proceed. Female CEOs worldwide have shattered glass ceilings, leading their companies with innovation, resilience, hard work, and a relentless drive to succeed. But let's be honest: when you're deep in the nitty gritty of your small business, it can be difficult to know if you're headed in the right direction. 

This list of motivational quotes features 8 women leaders who happen to be some of the world's greatest minds. We hope this list is a source of inspiration as you remember that all business owners have to start somewhere. 

1. Indra Nooyi, Former CEO of PepsiCo

“Leadership is hard to define, and good leadership even harder. But if you can get people to follow you to the ends of the earth, you are a great leader.”

Indra Nooyi’s tenure at PepsiCo is a testament to her transformative leadership. This quote reminds us that true leadership is about inspiring trust and fostering a shared vision, qualities that every leader should strive for. And remember, you don't have to run a Fortune 100 company to be a good leader. The most important thing you can do is pursue your dreams wholeheartedly and invite others to join you.

2. Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors

“Do every job you’re in like you’re going to do it for the rest of your life, and demonstrate that ownership of it.”

Mary Barra’s advice underscores the importance of dedication and taking ownership of your work. Don't get discouraged if the dream of starting your own business is a few years later. You're building your reputation as an entrepreneur whenever you engage with the business world. Who knows how your current relationships will help you in the future? Working hard and doing the right thing are essential qualities for female entrepreneurs.

3. Whitney Wolfe Herd, CEO of Bumble

“If you’re not making a difference in other people’s lives, you shouldn’t be in business – it’s that simple.”

Whitney Wolfe Herd’s journey to creating Bumble, a dating app where women make the first move, is rooted in her desire to make a positive impact. This quote highlights the essence of female leadership. Female founders are often in it to make a difference, and that's a good thing! Your real power lies in your ability to use strong personal beliefs to propel yourself into business success.

4. Ursula Burns, Former CEO of Xerox

“Dreams do come true, but not without the help of others, a good education, a strong work ethic, and the courage to lean in.”

As the first woman of color to lead a Fortune 500 company, Ursula Burns’ story is one of perseverance and community. Her words remind us that success is often a collective effort. The future of leadership is one of collaboration. If you want to be a global leader in your field, you need the support of other women you admire.

5. Sara Blakely, CEO of Spanx

“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.”

Sara Blakely’s innovative approach to creating Spanx came from her willingness to think differently. She's one of the most famous female business leaders of our time, and she rose to incredible success by creating a business that is as authentic as she is. Being new and inexperienced can be your biggest asset if you learn to use it to your advantage.

6. Safra Catz, CEO of Oracle

“The only way to drive change is to constantly challenge the way you do things. Change is a must to survive.”

Safra Catz led Oracle through significant transformations because she was willing to challenge the status quo in a rapidly evolving business landscape. Strong women founders know that they must step out of their comfort zones to do something groundbreaking.

7. Anne Wojcicki, CEO of 23andMe

“Innovation comes out of great human ingenuity and very personal passions.”

Anne Wojcicki’s pioneering work in consumer genetics reflects her belief in the power of personal passion to drive innovation. To be the best leader you can be, you must be in touch with personal passion. Passion is what drives us to do great things. Whether you want to be a political activist, a thought leader, or anything else under the sun, you must start by figuring out what drives you.

8. Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Meta and Author of Lean In

“We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored.”

As Meta's COO, Sheryl Sandberg consistently advocates for gender equality. We all want to see greater representation and inclusivity in leadership. While you and I cannot influence the C-suite at these huge corporations, we can advocate for putting capable women in leadership roles in our businesses and communities.

These women and their leadership quotes remind us that the paths to leadership are diverse. To be an effective leader, we must first identify our values and be willing to chase them wherever they take us. Women tend to face more barriers in business than men do, But the most significant barrier you'll face is the negativity inside your mind. We hope you'll take these business quotes as a reminder that these women's success proves to us that success is possible. Let these words of wisdom inspire you to take bold steps in your entrepreneurial journey.

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