I love working with women, because they are naturally empathetic and nurturing, exceptionally good listeners, great at multitasking, and typically all-round strong communicators. They have a strong focus on teamwork, are flexible, able to wear many hats, and are incredibly capable in a crisis — often making their difficult jobs appear effortless.
Top that with a high level of emotional intelligence, and the ability to dream big (while leaving egos at the door), and you’ve got a powerful formula for business leadership. In fact, research published in the Harvard Business Review revealed that women in leadership roles were just as competent as their male peers, and more effective in 84% of frequently measured leadership skills.
Why Women Excel as Leaders
Initiative, Resilience & Development
Women leaders often take initiative, persist through challenges, and pursue self-improvement while uplifting those around them. However - despite these strengths - many women tend to underestimate their own achievements, which can hold them back.
The Confidence Gap
The Harvard Business Review also found that women often rate themselves lower in self-reflection tasks compared to men, who generally express more confidence in their capabilities. Additionally, women are less likely to apply for a role unless they meet all qualifications, while men will often apply even if they meet only some.
The Power of Emotion & Feedback
Many of the traits that make women strong leaders — empathy, emotional intelligence, receptiveness to feedback — also enable them to create stronger, more resilient teams. Women are often more open to constructive criticism, able to reflect non-judgmentally on decisions, and willing to adjust course when needed.
Leadership isn't about how loudly you speak or how many titles you hold. True leadership is measured by team performance and how you nurture potential. Women often excel here because of their natural attentiveness to wellbeing, communication, and trust.
Leadership in Action: Real Examples
- Indra Nooyi — As former CEO of PepsiCo, she led the company for over 12 years and grew sales by 80%. Her success was built not just through business acumen, but her personable leadership style, ability to overcome challenges, and long-term vision.
- Michelle Obama — Rather than staying confined to the traditional First Lady role, she used her platform to advocate for education, health, and community empowerment — showing how leadership can extend beyond formal titles.
These figures show how effective leadership isn’t about domination but about inspiration, clarity, empathy, and adaptability. Women often bring all of those qualities to the table.
Embrace Your Leadership Potential
Studies consistently show that women tend to be more receptive to feedback and better at self-awareness — critical traits for growth. With a strong emotional IQ, women are able to read & respond to the emotions of those around them. This helps in team building, conflict resolution, and leading with authenticity.
As a coach with Business House Group, I’m passionate about helping smart women break through perceived barriers, step into their full strength, and lead with purpose. If you have a vision, a dream, or a business you want to elevate, let’s chat - together, we can be unstoppable.
References:
https://hbr.org/2019/06/research-women-score-higher-than-men-in-most-leadership-skills https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2019/03/04/women-make-great-leaders-four-ways-to-embrace-and-advance-your-leadership-skills/#559453ecf35c
