In my career spanning 20 years, from a lawyer in the tech sector, to a business leader, I’ve faced many hurdles. This is especially prominent as a woman at the top of a tech company. Budding entrepreneurs will also face challenges over the course of their careers, especially in the tech industry, which is evolving at a rapid pace. But it’s important not to feel defeated by the challenges. Instead, these challenges have helped me learn a lot and gain key insights into how to navigate leadership.

Here are my top three lessons from my journey to help the newest wave of business leaders who are just starting out.

Be resilient

The tech industry is fast-evolving. Developments are happening all the time and businesses are constantly competing to out-develop each other’s products. Tech leaders need to be resilient in the face of this.

Whether it’s unexpected challenges, from a financial, operational, or product standpoint, their ability to adapt is pivotal when others look to them for guidance. The path to success is not linear, but a leader’s response to any speedbumps really sets them apart.

However, while staying resilient during short-term setbacks, it’s still important to be focused on the long-term strategic goals of the company.

Constantly reinvent themselves

Every industry, not just tech, has rife competition. It can be tough to stand out from the crowd. A challenge many leaders face is finding new ways to reinvent themselves and differentiate their business, to maintain relevance and success.

Innovation is key. Leaders must be able to question themselves, be courageous to constantly try new things, and be flexible to change. This is also essential to meet the needs of consumers, who, rightly so, are becoming increasingly demanding.

Being truly innovative also involves listening to others for guidance. Ego has no place in entrepreneurship. Just because leaders are at the helm of the company, they shouldn’t assume their ideas are the best ideas. Those around them are skilled, knowledgeable, and have different ways of thinking. They can advise and share creative thoughts. The younger generation, in particular, is full of promise and fresh ideas.

While reinventing and trying new things collaboratively with different teams in the business is essential, it’s still important for leaders to stay true to their goals and trust their instincts. 

Empower the team

For teams to develop new, fresh ideas and help innovate the business, leaders must trust them and give them space and autonomy to take risks and be creative. They should empower, not limit them. Only then can an organisation truly grow.

Championing women, particularly in tech, is essential to this. I actively believe if businesses create opportunities and platforms for women to grow and lead, and increase diversity and inclusion, it will always keep them one step ahead.

As well as empowering female employees at happn, I advocate for women in tech through my work as chair of the Women In Dating Association. This organisation creates opportunities for women to gather, discuss their challenges and daily experiences, and ensure greater diversity and inclusivity.

Additionally, at happn, I am always trying to foster a culture of continuous learning, as the team push to develop. It is important that any leader empowers their staff, by providing  them with the knowledge, tools, and learning to continue climbing the ladder and expanding their expertise.

Final thoughts

Like any industry, tech has its challenges, and competition is tough. Leaders should set out their goals in advance and be unwavering in achieving them, even if they take a different path to get there. They should trust and believe in their vision, that’s what got them to this point – but also lean on their team to make sure their business stays ahead of the curve.

For more startup news, check out the other articles on the website, and subscribe to the magazine for free. Listen to The Cereal Entrepreneur podcast for more interviews with entrepreneurs and big-hitters in the startup ecosystem.