Where do you look for inspiration when you need it?
I get inspiration from reading. I also try to learn from established female leaders, such as Barbara Humpton at Siemens, Mary Brady at the Economic Club of Washington and Karen Chupka with CES. These women run incredibly large and complex businesses with excellence and humility.
—Ximena Hartsock, co-founder of Phone2Action
I look at my own struggles and how I managed to overcome them in the past. The reason I don’t always look at other successful people for inspiration is because it’s hard for me to relate to their struggles on a personal level. I look to them for expertise and knowledge, but to my own past for inspiration.
—Abeer Raza, co-founder of TekRevol
Participating in one of my hobbies helps me take my mind off work and cope with the pressures it inevitably brings. For me, it’s riding my motorcycle without the distraction of my phone or email — just the road and my thoughts. During this time, I declutter my mind, plan and, hopefully, come up with new ideas and creative solutions.
—Damien Lee, founder of Mr. Lee’s Noodles
I turn to media, such as books and podcasts, as well as other businesses and business owners within my network. Great ideas come when you least expect them, and there are forward-thinking leaders in every industry that can inspire you.
—Christine Yaged, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Launch Potato and FinanceBuzz
This article originally appeared in the September/October 2020 issue of SUCCESS magazine.
Photo by Emile Guillemot/Unsplash.com
