10% of S&P 500 CEOs Are Women. Here's What We Can Learn from Them & Others

Although more women are serving in senior management positions today, we still see significant disparities: For every company run by a woman, there are ten that are run by a man. The latter number increases even more for women of color.1 

Although women are no less qualified than men to run a business, they’re regularly held to higher standards. Here are some lessons in leadership that we can all take away from women who have achieved and excelled in top leadership positions. 

You Don’t Need to Sacrifice Time with Family 

There’s a misconception that most successful professionals, particularly female ones, need to shove marriage and family aside to advance in their careers. Yet according to the most recent Pew Research poll available, most women don’t think family responsibilities pose a major challenge to women in leadership roles.2 

You can have a fulfilling family life and still be fully capable of flourishing professionally. Further, you can be a caring, empathetic, and fun spouse and/or parent while also being a responsible and straightforward executive. Those caring, empathetic, and fun qualities don’t even have to disappear when you go into work mode. 

Be a Leader of the People

Female leaders excel in ethics and fairness. Exercise toughness when you need to and certainly don’t be passive, but don’t become over-aggressive or narcissistic. Be a leader, not a dictator.



It’s important to be empathetic and understanding. Don’t only be a leader who your employees are proud of; be a leader who helps them grow. In addition, champion compromise and delegation. While you don’t have to do everything yourself, be sure that you effectively distribute tasks and don’t become disconnected from the rest of your company.2 

Encourage Employees to Grow

Research shows that female leaders also prioritize mentorship. It’s important to build up and mentor your employees, both professionally and personally, so that they can hone their skills and develop a passion for their work.

Business executives have their plates full of operational responsibilities, but simply exhibiting a passion for your own work will serve as an important step in instilling that same passion in your employees. Always maintain a line of communication with your company and keep tabs on every department.2 

Know When Not to Take a Risk

Male leaders have an edge over female ones when it comes to risk-taking. Some of the best decisions often involve risk, but there are some situations where the costs are too great compared to the potential reward.

If a decision isn’t risky for you but may be for your peers or coworkers, don’t disregard that. It’s still a cost even if it doesn’t impact you directly. Big moves make big differences, and it's important to think through all your decisions with clarity and tact.2

Despite roadblocks, including systemic ones, believe in your abilities and use them strategically. Exemplary female leaders are proof of societal progress and the fruits of hard work. In the face of adversity, we all must continue to create goals and work toward them with grit and compassion—that’s the biggest lesson we can take away from these hardworking executives.

1. https://www.catalyst.org/research/women-in-management/
2. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/09/Gender-and-leadership-for-PDF_updated-10.1.pdf

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