So I fell down this rabbit hole last week watching interviews with female CEOs, and honestly? I couldn't stop taking notes.

Not the polished, rehearsed stuff they say at conferences. I mean the real moments. The ones where they accidentally let slip what actually worked.

Game changing.

Here's what I learned from watching women who've made it to the top - and spoiler alert, it's nothing like what those LinkedIn influencers tell you.

They're Ridiculously Specific About Money

Okay, this one hit different.

Every successful female CEO I studied? They talk about money in exact numbers. Not ranges. Not "competitive salary." Actual figures.

Sophia Amoruso (yeah, the Girlboss founder) once said she knew her worth down to the dollar before any negotiation. And I'm like... wait, we're allowed to do that?

Turns out, yeah. We are.

The women at the top don't play the "I'm flexible on salary" game. They research, they calculate, and they ask for specific amounts. One CEO told me she literally practiced her negotiation script in the mirror until it felt natural.

Wild, right?

They Changed Jobs A LOT

Here's something nobody talks about.

The average female CEO has held 7-9 different positions before hitting the C-suite. Not companies - positions. They moved around internally, jumped ship strategically, and weren't afraid to start over.

I used to think job hopping looked bad on a resume. Apparently that's... not true?

One tech CEO I follow switched industries three times before finding her lane. Another went from intern to VP in eight years by moving companies every 18 months.

The pattern? They didn't wait for promotions. They went and found them.

They're Weirdly Honest About Failure

This part surprised me.

Every single one has a "disaster story" they tell openly. Failed startups. Projects that tanked. Partnerships that imploded.

Sara Blakely (Spanx founder) literally celebrates her mistakes. She asks her team "what did you fail at this week?" in meetings.

I mean... imagine.

But here's the thing - they don't dwell on it. They extract the lesson, tell the funny version of the story, and move on. It's like they've figured out how to make failure part of their brand instead of something to hide.

Honestly? That's the most valuable skill.

They Built Their Network Before They Needed It

Okay so this one made me feel personally attacked.

Female CEOs start building professional connections years before they need them. Not in a gross, transactional way. Just... strategically staying in touch.

One CEO told me she sends five "just checking in" messages every Monday. Not asking for anything. Just genuinely connecting.

Another keeps a spreadsheet (I know, I know) of people she's worked with and sets reminders to reach out quarterly.

Is it extra? Maybe. Does it work? Apparently yes.

They Quit Things That Don't Serve Them

Here's what nobody tells you about successful women.

They're really, really good at quitting.

Bad jobs? Gone. Toxic clients? Dropped. Projects that aren't working? Abandoned without guilt.

Whitney Wolfe Herd left Tinder (where she was being harassed) and built Bumble instead. That's not just quitting - that's strategic exit planning.

I used to think persistence meant pushing through everything. But these women? They know when to walk away.

One CEO literally said: "The best career move I ever made was resigning from my dream job."

Plot twist.

They Talk About Money Constantly

Back to this again because it's THAT important.

Female CEOs discuss salaries with their friends. They share what they're making. They tell other women what to ask for.

There's this whole underground network of women passing around salary information and compensation data. It's like a secret society but for getting paid fairly.

One founder told me she has a group chat where they literally share their exact raise negotiation emails. Word for word.

I joined a similar group last month and already learned I'm underpaid by 15k. Yikes.

They Invest In Looking Put Together

Controversial take incoming.

Every female CEO I researched invests in their appearance. Not in a superficial way - in a strategic way.

Good haircuts. Tailored clothes. Quality basics. They know the game is rigged and they play it anyway.

One CEO told me she budgets $3k a year for her professional wardrobe. Another keeps a "power outfit" dry-cleaned and ready for important meetings.

Is it fair? No. Does it matter? Unfortunately yes.

The women at the top aren't pretending appearance doesn't matter. They're just not letting it hold them back.

They Ask For Help (Like, All The Time)

This one shocked me.

Successful female CEOs are constantly asking for help, advice, introductions, recommendations. They're not shy about it.

Rent the Runway's CEO once cold-emailed 50 women executives asking for coffee meetings. Forty of them said yes.

I can barely ask my coworker for a stapler.

But here's what I learned - asking for help isn't weakness. It's strategy. These women know they can't do it alone, so they don't try to.

They Have Side Projects

Almost every female CEO has something else going on.

Podcasts. Advisory boards. Angel investing. Speaking gigs. They're building multiple income streams even when they don't need to.

One CEO I follow has three side hustles that actually pay on top of running her company. Another sits on four boards.

It's not about the money (though that helps). It's about diversification. They're not putting all their eggs in one corporate basket.

Smart, honestly.

What This Actually Means For You

Look, I'm not saying you need to become a CEO.

But watching these women? It changed how I think about my career.

I started asking for specific numbers in negotiations. I reached out to three people I haven't talked to in months. I quit a project that was draining me.

Small stuff. But it's shifting something.

The thing about female CEOs is they're not superhuman. They're just really intentional about their choices. They know what they want and they're not apologizing for going after it.

And honestly?

That's the whole lesson right there.

What's one thing you're gonna try from this list? I'm curious what resonates.