What does it really mean to be successful? For many women, success has traditionally been measured by professional titles, financial achievements, career advancement, and the ability to balance an ever-growing list of responsibilities. But what if some of the beliefs we have accepted about success are actually holding us back?
Our Montgomery County/North Houston Summit for Women featured keynote speaker Chantell Preston, entrepreneur, author, and leadership advocate, challenged attendees to rethink conventional definitions of success and embrace a more authentic, fulfilling approach to their personal and professional lives.
Drawing from her book, The Success Lie: Reframing Your Reality to Thrive Personally and Professionally, Preston explored five common misconceptions that can influence how women measure their achievements, approach leadership, and make important life decisions.
Lie #1: Success Equals Money
Financial achievement is often viewed as the ultimate measure of success, but wealth alone does not define a meaningful or fulfilling life. Preston challenged the idea that financial milestones should determine our sense of accomplishment, encouraging a broader definition of success that considers personal fulfillment, relationships, purpose, and the impact we make on others.
Lie #2: You Have to Choose Between Career and Family
Women are often confronted with the expectation that achieving professional success requires sacrificing their personal lives or family responsibilities. This misconception creates unnecessary pressure and reinforces the belief that women must choose one priority over another. Preston’s message encouraged women to challenge these expectations and recognize that success can take different forms throughout the various stages of life.
Lie #3: Great Leaders Look a Certain Way
Leadership does not come in one form, personality, or appearance. Traditional expectations about what successful leaders should look like can discourage women from recognizing their own strengths and capabilities. Preston challenged this narrow definition, reinforcing that effective leadership is rooted in authenticity, confidence, experience, and the ability to positively influence others.
Lie #4: You Have to Say Yes to Everything
For many women, the desire to succeed, support others, and demonstrate their capabilities can lead to taking on more responsibilities than they can reasonably manage. Yet constantly saying yes can come at the expense of personal priorities, well-being, and long-term goals. Preston’s fourth success lie highlighted the importance of recognizing that setting boundaries and making intentional choices are essential components of sustainable success.
Lie #5: It’s Lonely at the Top
Leadership is sometimes portrayed as an isolating journey, particularly for women navigating executive roles or entrepreneurial ventures. However, meaningful relationships, mentorship, collaboration, and strong support networks can make leadership both more effective and more fulfilling. Rather than accepting isolation as an inevitable consequence of success, women can intentionally build communities that encourage connection, shared experiences, and mutual growth.
Throughout her presentation, Preston reinforced the importance of defining success through a personal lens rather than allowing external expectations to determine our value or accomplishments.
One of her most powerful messages was simple: “You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Powerful.”
The keynote concluded with another thought-provoking reminder: “Power Is Personal.” Preston challenged attendees to reflect on the choices they make, the expectations they place on themselves, and the kind of success they truly want to pursue.
Her presentation reinforced an important message: Success is not about meeting someone else’s definition of achievement. It is about having the confidence to define your own priorities, embrace your strengths, and create a life that reflects what matters most to you.
The Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce extends its sincere appreciation to Chantell Preston for sharing her insights, experiences, and inspiring message with our Summit attendees. Her keynote reflected the Chamber’s commitment to empowering women to lead authentically, pursue meaningful opportunities, and continue reaching new heights in their personal and professional journeys.
To learn more about Chantell Preston and her book, visit chantellpreston.com.