The Progressive Role of Women Leaders in The Modern World

Authored by Dr. Bhavya Vankar, Director, Quantum CorpHealth Pvt. Ltd.

In recent times, the role of women in leadership positions has changed significantly. Women leaders have come a long way from being disregarded to holding powerful positions in a variety of fields. This shift acts as a sign of the forward-thinking nature of society and how gender equality has evolved. In the past, women were frequently cast in submissive roles by restrictive gender roles, limiting their access to jobs, education, and positions of power. Since then, society and attitudes have evolved and have opened doors for female leadership. In this article, we explore how female leaders are breaking barriers and reshaping societies in business and innovation.

 Shattering the Glass-Ceiling

Women in business have historically faced systemic challenges due to gender bias. From a lack of access to capital to little to no networking opportunities, only a few women can break into this male-dominated field. However, with a more concerted effort by the business community and the government, we now have more mentorship opportunities, funding for women-led startups, and supportive legislation. As a result of this, we see even more women-led Fortune 500 companies, founding startups, and women in boardrooms than ever before.

 New and Unique Leadership Styles

Decades of studies have shown that more women in leadership positions lead to more productive workplaces, with enhanced collaboration, inspire and motivate employees for organizational dedication, and an increase in DE&I rate. In a world that is increasingly prioritizing employee well-being and corporate social responsibility, all of these factors contribute to a profitable organization.

 Innovation and Economic Growth

It has been shown that teams with diverse leadership can be the driving force behind innovation and economic growth. These teams often outperform homogenous teams in terms of profit, ideation, and target achievement. Women and diversely-led teams bring new and fresh ideas to the table and are often more able to see the bigger picture especially when it comes to underserved groups and catering to a broader audience. For example, women in tech and entrepreneurship have been pivotal in creating apps and platforms to help women lead more balanced lives and address issues of health and safety.

 Overcoming Challenges

Even though there is slow but sure progress in making the business world a more equitable and even landscape, women entrepreneurs still face significant challenges when trying to climb the corporate ladders. Gender stereotypes and regressive mindsets still persist, forcing women to work twice as hard to prove their worth. These societal challenges further question their competence, authority, and leadership abilities, undermining their credibility and opportunities for advancement.

Women-centric networking groups, communities, and platforms can and should leverage their collective power to raise each other up in a corporate environment. Social media is also proving an effective tool for women entrepreneurs to reach a broader audience and to raise awareness about the issues that women face in the workplace. This has led to companies focussing on diversity initiatives, putting more women in leadership positions, and understanding the value that women bring to decision-making processes.

 The Future is Now

While we continue to make strides towards a more level playing field, constant and consistent innovations and improvements are required. We now have access to relevant resources to transform companies and redefine success with more female leadership. Moreover, in the business world women entrepreneurs are launching various initiatives thereby creating a lot of job opportunities, contributing to the economic development of the society and the country.

 For example, women like Indra Nooyi, the former CEO of PepsiCo, and Falguni Nayar, the founder of Nykaa, have transformed their respective industries in terms of innovation, progress, and profit. Their entrepreneurial journeys have inspired countless women to pursue their ambitions and reach the top. With determination, resilience, and support, women can overcome any barriers and successfully lead their businesses to success.

 Women have now been resilient, confident, and capable in their leadership journeys. They have more than proven that they are capable of leading any kind of organization and they are highly qualified when it comes to multitasking and adapting with integrity. We now need to make sure that the momentum continues, to ensure that more and more companies have diverse leadership. By empowering and supporting women in this journey, we can create more businesses that are empathetic, innovative, and prosperous.

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and Adgully.com does not necessarily subscribe to it.