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Women in Leadership: Harnessing Disruption for Growth
Women in Leadership: Harnessing Disruption for Growth

January 13, 2025

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In today’s dynamic world, disruption is the new normal. Industries are reshaping their operations due to digital transformation, globalization, and shifting societal expectations. Greater diversity presents diverse perspectives in the boardrooms. Ensuring more voices are involved enables companies to better connect with consumer requirements and understand the divergences and nuances. This can also be advantageous for international business, which is a key priority for the mid-market. 

With businesses navigating this relentless wave of change, women leaders are proving formidable agents of growth and resilience. They are stepping into the forefront, leveraging their distinctive perspectives and leadership styles to harness disruption and transform challenges into new opportunities. 

Women across leadership roles are shaping the future with flexible work, leading with emotional intelligence, breaking STEM barriers, nurturing inclusive cultures, advocating for ethical tech, leveraging tech for social impact, innovating through collaboration, leading with purpose, and digitalizing customer experiences. They are further redefining the corporate and technological landscapes to foster a more equitable and engaging world. 

  

Significance of Women Leaders 

As per the World Economic Forum, businesses that grew their share of female partner hires by 10% witnessed an average annual increase of 1.5 percent in overall fund returns and 9.7 percent more profitable exits. 

Women leaders are playing a significant role in the evolution of strategic planning alongside different economic, social, and technical advancements. Their representation in leadership roles has led to new insights and innovative approaches to designing effective strategic frameworks. 

While technical skills are critical for strategic planning, soft skills are a valuable professional trait. Skills such as empathy, good communication, and self-awareness are highly treasured. For women across the workforce, soft skills and emotional intelligence come as a competitive advantage, as they outperform men in major emotional intelligence characteristics, like self-awareness, empathy, conflict management, and teamwork, which are crucial for effective leadership and planning. 

Women contribute to improved company financial performance by presenting unique perspectives, diverse experiences, and valuable skills to strategic planning teams. Consequently, women leading strategic planning positions is a strategic necessity as well as moral imperative. 

  

A New Era of Leadership 

The traditional command-and-control leadership model is being replaced by one that prioritizes collaboration, empathy, and adaptability. Women leaders are instrumental in championing this shift. Organizations with diverse thought leaders are outperforming their peers in innovation and performance. With their ability to foster inclusivity and navigate complexity, women in leadership are uniquely positioning their teams to thrive in today's disruptive environments. 

  • Empathy for a Competitive Advantage 

Often regarded as a soft skill, empathy is now being perceived as a cornerstone of effective leadership. Women in leadership excel at understanding and addressing the requirements of their teams, customers, and stakeholders. This emotional intelligence further assists in fostering trust, loyalty, and engagement, which is essential for navigating disruption. Their empathetic yet resolute response to crises, along with compassion and strength, are critical in driving impactful decisions. 

  • Driving Innovation Through Diverse Perspectives 

Innovation thrives on diversity of thought, and women leaders present valuable perspectives. They challenge the conventional way of thinking, encourage open dialogue, and nurture environments where creative solutions can flourish. By leveraging these diverse experiences, women in leadership are addressing challenges and shaping the future. 

  • Harnessing Technology for Inclusive Growth 

Technology is a key driver of disruption. Women leaders are leveraging it to bridge the existing gaps and nurture inclusive growth. From leveraging AI for personalized customer experiences to integrating data analytics for informed decision-making, women in leadership embrace technology to drive innovation and empower a generation to lead in the digital age. 

  • Overcoming Barriers  

Despite their achievements, women in leadership roles face systemic barriers like gender bias, unequal pay, and limited access to opportunities. Addressing these concerns is imperative. Organizations that invest in creating equitable workplaces are better equipped to harness the full potential of their talent. 

Policies like flexible work arrangements, sponsorship programs, and transparent promotion criteria can help level the playing field. Organizations that prioritize diversity can unlock untapped potential and drive sustainable growth. 

  

The Way Forward 

In a world that demands adaptability and bold thinking, women in leadership are demonstrating that they are the change-makers we need. They portray that true leadership is about envisioning and building a better future.  

As disruption continues redefining industries, the role of women in leadership is set to become more critical. Organizations need to cultivate environments where women can thrive actively to harness this potential. This requires addressing systemic barriers and celebrating the unique strengths they bring to leadership.  

Many women across leadership roles are rewriting the rules of engagement, exhibiting that disruption is not a threat but an opportunity for growth. By leading with resilience, empathy, and innovation, they further pave the way for an inclusive and prosperous future.  

Leveraging their unique insights and perseverance, women across leadership roles are introducing new ideas, disrupting business models, challenging industry norms, and mentoring the next generation of innovators. However, there is still room for improvement in offering women equal opportunities for advancement across strategic planning roles. 


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Supriya Dixit
Vice President Marketing & Chair of Sustainability Committee

I believe in stories. I'm invested in marketing that tells impactful stories that can translate into meaningful and enduring relationships between brands and their varied stakeholders. I'm invested in data that tells such stories honestly. I'm invested in people; in observing them, connecting with them, and understanding what drives their behavior and why. I like to translate this understanding into crafting relevant and meaningful offerings. I believe that creativity, authenticity, and empathy, when channeled honestly can change the world. That is exactly what I like to bring to my work. I know travel to be a sure shot way to harness all the three above. 20 countries & 43 cities, and counting.

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