75+ Successful Women’s Wisdom Quotes: Insights from the Top

Do you know that firms with more women on the management team never perform worse than companies with less gender diversity? According to a McKinsey study in 2020, companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams are likely to have above-average profitability by 25%, compared to companies in the fourth quartile. The validity of such a powerful statistic underlines the valuable contribution of women in the professional world.

The wisdom and insight of successful women will always help inspire and guide all aspirants, whether professional working men or women. The domain of successful women has been negotiated through labyrinthine career paths, overcoming obstacles, and shattering glass ceilings to acquire immense knowledge in the process.

We have rounded up below 80 motivational quotes said by some of the world’s most successful women to inspire and motivate you through your journey to success. Their topics range from leading and persevering to creative and balancing work with life, among many more. Let’s get into these powerful insights straight from the mouths of women at the pinnacle of their careers!

1. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
2. “The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” – Ayn Rand
3. “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.” – Margaret Thatcher
4. “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear.” – Rosa Parks
5. “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” – Amelia Earhart

These initial quotes set a powerful tone, emphasizing determination, action, and the lasting impact of our interactions with others.

6. “I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life—and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.” – Georgia O’Keeffe
7. “The way to achieve your own success is to be willing to help somebody else get it first.” – Iyanla Vanzant
8. “Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.” – Anne Sweeney
9. “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” – Estée Lauder
10. “You can waste your lives drawing lines. Or you can live your life crossing them.” – Shonda Rhimes

These quotes highlight the importance of courage, helping others, and taking action to achieve success.

11. “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
12. “The difference between successful people and others is how long they spend time feeling sorry for themselves.” – Barbara Corcoran
13. “I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow.” – Marissa Mayer
14. “You can and should set your own limits and clearly articulate them. This takes courage, but it is also liberating and empowering, and often earns you new respect.” – Rosalind Brewer
15. “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” – Alice Walker

These quotes emphasize the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone, resilience, and recognizing your own power.

16. “If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat! Just get on.” – Sheryl Sandberg
17. “No matter how senior you get in your career, you need to continue to learn and grow.” – Indra Nooyi
18. “I’ve always believed that one woman’s success can only help another woman’s success.” – Gloria Vanderbilt
19. “A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.” – Melinda Gates
20. “If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.” – Erica Jong

These quotes highlight the importance of continuous learning, supporting other women, and taking risks.

21. “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Sally Berger
22. “You can’t be that kid standing at the top of the waterslide, overthinking it. You have to go down the chute.” – Tina Fey
23. “I learned to always take on things I’d never done before. Growth and comfort do not coexist.” – Ginni Rometty
24. “If you’re not making some notable mistakes along the way, you’re certainly not taking enough business and career chances.” – Sallie Krawcheck
25. “Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity.” – Mae Jemison

These quotes emphasize the importance of taking action, embracing discomfort for growth, and maintaining creativity and curiosity.

26. “The way to achieve your own success is to be willing to help somebody else get it first.” – Iyanla Vanzant
27. “If you want to find success, you have to be willing to stand on your own two feet.” – Mary Kay Ash
28. “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” – Dolly Parton
29. “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” – Amelia Earhart
30. “You can’t give up! If you give up, you’re like everybody else.” – Chris Evert

These quotes highlight the importance of perseverance, initiative, and helping others on the path to success.

31. “The difference between successful people and others is how long they spend time feeling sorry for themselves.” – Barbara Corcoran
32. “I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as ‘making a life’.” – Maya Angelou
33. “The key to success is to start before you are ready.” – Marie Forleo
34. “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” – John D. Rockefeller
35. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

These quotes emphasize the importance of resilience, work-life balance, and pursuing ambitious goals.

36. “You can have unbelievable intelligence, you can have connections, you can have opportunities fall out of the sky. But in the end, hard work is the true, enduring characteristic of successful people.” – Marsha Evans
37. “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” – Maya Angelou
38. “If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not making decisions.” – Catherine Cook
39. “I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow.” – Marissa Mayer
40. “Don’t let anyone speak for you, and don’t rely on others to fight for you.” – Michelle Obama

These quotes highlight the importance of hard work, self-confidence, decision-making, and self-advocacy.

41. “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” – Coco Chanel
42. “I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.” – Maya Angelou
43. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
44. “You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.” – Rosalynn Carter
45. “The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say ‘no’ to almost everything.” – Warren Buffett

These quotes emphasize the importance of independent thinking, giving back, passion for your work, and setting boundaries.

46. “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
47. “You can waste your lives drawing lines. Or you can live your life crossing them.” – Shonda Rhimes
48. “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” – Amelia Earhart
49. “If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat! Just get on.” – Sheryl Sandberg
50. “You can and should set your own limits and clearly articulate them. This takes courage, but it is also liberating and empowering, and often earns you new respect.” – Rosalind Brewer

These quotes reiterate the themes of courage, action, and setting personal boundaries.

51. “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear.” – Rosa Parks
52. “The way to achieve your own success is to be willing to help somebody else get it first.” – Iyanla Vanzant
53. “Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.” – Anne Sweeney
54. “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” – Estée Lauder
55. “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

These quotes emphasize determination, helping others, defining personal success, and turning perceived weaknesses into strengths.

56. “The difference between successful people and others is how long they spend time feeling sorry for themselves.” – Barbara Corcoran
57. “I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow.” – Marissa Mayer
58. “No matter how senior you get in your career, you need to continue to learn and grow.” – Indra Nooyi
59. “I’ve always believed that one woman’s success can only help another woman’s success.” – Gloria Vanderbilt
60. “A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.” – Melinda Gates

These quotes highlight the importance of resilience, stepping out of comfort zones, continuous learning, and supporting other women.

61. “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Sally Berger
62. “You can’t be that kid standing at the top of the waterslide, overthinking it. You have to go down the chute.” – Tina Fey
63. “I learned to always take on things I’d never done before. Growth and comfort do not coexist.” – Ginni Rometty
64. “If you’re not making some notable mistakes along the way, you’re certainly not taking enough business and career chances.” – Sallie Krawcheck
65. “Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity.” – Mae Jemison

These quotes emphasize the importance of taking initiative, embracing discomfort for growth, and maintaining creativity and curiosity.

66. “If you want to find success, you have to be willing to stand on your own two feet.” – Mary Kay Ash
67. “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” – Dolly Parton
68. “You can’t give up! If you give up, you’re like everybody else.” – Chris Evert
69. “I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as ‘making a life’.” – Maya Angelou
70. “The key to success is to start before you are ready.” – Marie Forleo

These quotes highlight the importance of independence, initiative, perseverance, and work-life balance.

71. “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” – John D. Rockefeller
72. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
73. “You can have unbelievable intelligence, you can have connections, you can have opportunities fall out of the sky. But in the end, hard work is the true, enduring characteristic of successful people.” – Marsha Evans
74. “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” – Maya Angelou
75. “If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not making decisions.” – Catherine Cook

These quotes emphasize the importance of ambition, hard work, self-confidence, and decision-making.

76. “Don’t let anyone speak for you, and don’t rely on others to fight for you.” – Michelle Obama
77. “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” – Coco Chanel
78. “You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.” – Rosalynn Carter
79. “The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say ‘no’ to almost everything.” – Warren Buffett
80. “You can waste your lives drawing lines. Or you can live your life crossing them.” – Shonda Rhimes

As we reflect upon these 80 quotes from successful women, there are patterns around a few key themes that pop out. We see how very important resilience, courage, and the readiness to be out of one’s comfort zone are. Many of these quotes stress the values of hard work, continuous learning, and how self-belief can serve as a powerful tool.

These women also let us know that we must define success on our own terms, set boundaries, and have a balance between being successful at work and being personally satisfied. They are urging us to come into our own, use our voices, and support other women on their journeys.

These quotes remind us that success encompasses the Abe Lincoln concept of lifting others up along with ourselves to have a positive impact on the world. They emphasize creativity, curiosity, and above all, the courage to think differently.

Now it’s time to go out and create your own road to success, pondering how you might integrate each of these concepts into your life and career. Whether it be taking new challenges, standing up for yourself, or helping others to grow, the ways to apply this wisdom are endless.

Success, remember most of these quotes are saying, is not about the destination but the journey and what that molds you into. So face your challenges head-on, celebrate who you are, and make sure you live beyond the lines drawn by others. Now go write your own success story!