By Marla Mock, Poolwerx

Throughout my career, I’ve learned that leadership is rarely defined by one big moment.

More often, it’s shaped by the choices you make every day, the people you surround yourself with and your willingness to keep growing.

Growing up on a farm in Texas taught me the value of hard work from an early age. Those lessons carried with me through college leadership roles, into my professional career and now into my role as Chief Operating Officer at Poolwerx USA. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of working with talented franchise owners and mentors who have influenced the way I lead.

For women considering a career in franchising or looking to take the next step in their leadership journey, I’ve found that a few principles continue to serve me well.

1. Have Clear Goals

Every career benefits from direction. When you know what you’re working toward, your decisions become more intentional, and opportunities become easier to evaluate.

I’ve also learned that goals should evolve. As your career grows, your priorities often grow with it. Revisiting those goals regularly allows you to stay aligned with what matters most while remaining flexible enough to embrace new opportunities.

Having a destination in mind doesn’t mean you’ll get there overnight – it simply gives each step greater purpose and something to aim for.

2. Know Your Strengths (and Your Weaknesses)

Self-awareness is one of the most valuable qualities a leader can develop.

Understanding your strengths helps you recognize where you create the most value. Equally important is recognizing the areas where someone else may bring expertise that complements your own. Every successful organization depends on people with different experiences, perspectives and skill sets.

Throughout my career, I’ve found that the strongest teams are built by people who appreciate what each individual brings to the table. That starts with understanding yourself first.

Knowing your strengths also gives you confidence when new opportunities arise. Knowing your weaknesses encourages curiosity, continuous learning and collaboration. Those qualities create stronger leaders and stronger organizations.

3. Never Settle

Growth requires a willingness to keep moving forward.

I have always chosen to pursue opportunities that challenged me, expanded my perspective and helped me develop new skills. Every experience contributed to the leader I am today.

Professional growth happens over time through consistent effort and a mindset that welcomes new experiences. Use the knowledge, the skills, the lessons and grow on it.

I encourage women to continue raising their hand for opportunities that align with their goals. Trust the experience you’ve built, stay committed to learning and give yourself permission to continue growing throughout your career.

4. Be Open

I have navigated leadership roles across various home service brands which are sectors traditionally viewed as “male-dominated.” But my success didn’t come from staying within those self-imposed boundaries; it came from refusing to limit my potential based on outdated industry stereotypes.

Franchising is built on collaboration, and the trades, in particular, are starving for the unique operational insights and leadership perspectives that women bring to the table. Be open to try new things and open to breaking the status quo. Some of the most valuable ideas I’ve encountered have come from listening closely to people whose experiences differed from my own.

An open mindset also creates room for innovation. Industries evolve, customer expectations change and businesses continue finding better ways to serve their communities. Leaders who remain curious are better positioned to recognize new opportunities and help others succeed along the way.

Every conversation offers the chance to learn something new. Approaching those conversations with openness has made a meaningful difference throughout my career.

5. Build Strong Relationships

Every meaningful opportunity in my career has been connected to people.

Strong relationships create trust, encourage collaboration and provide support during every stage of your professional journey.

Building relationships takes time. It starts with showing genuine interest in others, following through on commitments and creating an environment where people feel respected and valued. Those small actions establish credibility and strengthen teams over time.

I’ve been fortunate to learn from mentors who generously shared their knowledge and from colleagues who challenged me to think differently. Those relationships have shaped my leadership style in lasting ways, and I continue to value every opportunity to learn from the people around me.

Ultimately, these tips are useful for anyone — CEO or entry level, franchisee or franchisor, man or woman. For women in franchising, I believe it’s especially important to embrace your unique perspective and trust the value you bring. Set meaningful goals, invest in your own growth and build relationships that encourage others to succeed alongside you. Leadership is a journey, and every experience along the way helps prepare you for what’s next.

Marla Mock is the COO of Poolwerx. For more information about IFA franchisor member Poolwerx, please visit franchise.org/franchise-opportunities/poolwerx/.