During the Coronavirus Pandemic, we witnessed shining examples of leadership seen by countries that were headed by women. Their response from Germany to New Zealand was quick, immediate, and effective to curb the virus’s spread.
The rise of female leaders is a remarkable initiative for the inclusivity of women all around the globe. Women have fought long and hard to reach gender equality. And we can see examples of female leaders emerging from all across the world, from different generations to drive for change.
The world is now filled with ambitious and capable women running influential organizations who have the power to call for physical change through technology and policies. The recent progress with the circular economy and blockchain is a fine example. The fight against Climate Change led by an eighteen-year-old Swedish activist bought the world to its knees to take action and shift towards a greener and healthier planet.
However, the overall number of women in top business roles is still relatively low, and they make up for only 5% of CEOs of major corporations in the US. But there is room for optimism as the data shows us that the numbers have only been increasing. Since 2015 the number of women in senior leadership has grown significantly in the C-suite where women’s representation has increased from 17% to 21%. Today, 44% of companies have three or more women in their C-suite, up from 29% of companies in 2015, which is excellent news!
Some brilliant examples of women transforming the business landscape are:
Ursula Burns, CEO of the Xerox Corporation, became the first African-American female CEO of a Fortune 500 company in history. Despite her challenging upbringing, she worked hard to climb the ladder and shatter the glass ceiling. During her time as CEO, she transformed Xerox into an outstanding global competitor within the tech industry.
Mary Teresa Barra, CEO of General Motors, became the first female CEO of a major automaker. When Mary Barra became CEO of General Motors, the auto industry emerged from some difficult times, and the company had to regain its title. Barra proved herself every step of the way and is now one of the leading female CEO icons in the corporate world.
Sara Blakely, Founder of Spanx, was the world’s youngest self-made billionaire by 2012. She hustled in her 20s as a sales trainer by day and developed her miracle product by night. However, the real game-changer for the brand was when Oprah named Spanx one of her “Favorite Things, that took the brand to the next level.
Stephanie Courtillier, Founder of Integrous Women, said, “I’ve always subscribed to the belief that the best leader is not one who has the most followers, but one who creates the most leaders. I strive every day — and in every program and offers we have at Integrous Women — to create more conscious, confident, and soulful leaders who, in return, will build a better world for all.”
To all the women aspiring to be at the top, we all have it in us to be the best that we can. Let’s tap into our potential and push ourselves to become these women that have a lasting effect on people. We have the power to shatter these glass ceilings and rise to the top. Believe in yourself, put in the hard work, and you’ll see miracles taking place for you.
