9. Command Attention

—Diana Ruddick (Leading Life Insurance Firm)

It's hard to get noticed. Even if you're hard-working and intelligent, managers don't always notice you. That's because managers are only human: They can overlook people who don't fit their picture of success. Diana Ruddick shows how you can command attention and work your way up the ladder, even if you're not what your boss considers to be leadership material. Diana's story isn't just for women: Men can learn from her because anyone can get stuck in a certain task or department where they are sidelined and never promoted. "It's easy to get classified as a 'process' person—someone who is good at something," says Diana, "but you have to go further and see the big picture." Her knack of seeing the big picture—and commanding the attention of her bosses—helped her advance through the ranks from insurance claims processor at a major health insurer to vice president of a leading life insurance carrier.