The 12th annual 40 Leaders Under Forty event took place October 26, when 20 women and 20 men were highlighted for their accomplishments. You can read about area female leaders in this issue. They’re scientists, communicators, educators, attorneys, engineers, physicians, business owners, and financial representatives by career. They’re also mothers; mentors; coaches; scout leaders; and volunteers in churches, neighborhoods, and civic organizations. What they’ve accomplished will inspire you.

A common characteristic of leaders is a continuing passion to excel. Women do want it all—or at least be able to choose to do it all. There are no guarantees, no entitlements, no equality of skill sets—just choices to be made about how we want to live each day. Our attitude, health, education, experiences—the sum of who we are—is based on the choices we make. And these choices are made based on the stages, ages, and phases in which we find ourselves.

In the past few decades, women have increased their visibility in boardrooms, educational and health institutions, courtrooms, and certainly in business ownership. They’re narrowing the gender pay scale gap. After years of touting work and family balance, however, it’s acceptable to say now that there’s no real balance. You do the best you can. You do what you have to do to feed your family or maintain or improve your lifestyle.

The October 24 issue of Newsweek magazine included a special report on “How Women Lead.” While the articles describe a variety of high-profile, powerful women around the country, the commonality of certain leadership traits was found in their interviews. Most revealed a defining moment in their personal lives or careers that provided vision and motivation. They all reveal a passion for their work that, in most cases, is contagious.

Other life lessons they revealed are: You must make sacrifices. You should be surrounded by people you respect and admire and who know more than you know. You can’t be an expert in everything. Never lose your sense of humor. Take responsibility for your own career. Adversity breeds character. Successful people are passionate about what they do. Set goals, and believe you can achieve them.

As another year ends, take a few minutes to set personal and career goals for yourself. Choose how you’ll improve your quality of life in 2006. TPW