Turns out, the leaders I truly admire most are women.
This is not a bold statement to anyone who knows me. I have been dedicated to fostering healthy, educated, connected women leadership for literally decades. Being in the field of growing women’s leadership does not, however, automatically mean that I think women are great leaders simply because they are women. There are also exceptional leaders who are not women and when I started on my own journey, most of the leaders I knew were certainly not women. Gender does not automatically destine anyone for great leadership. Still, I believe that it is important to back up statements with clarity on WHY the leaders I admire most are women. It isn’t simply by virtue of being a woman that makes the difference. It is the feminine energy leadership qualities that counter-balance the aggressive, competitive, and divisiveness of masculine energy authoritarian style leadership.
I believe we (meaning the majority of the world – not just in the United States), are at a place where leadership matters more than it has in a very long time. Where I see the strongest, healthiest, most productive leadership happening today is among the successful women leaders – and the world definitely could use some more of them.
I have known, worked with, worked for, and thoughtfully observed many different leaders throughout my career. I am not young anymore, so the list has grown to be quite long. The best leaders that I have known are not just those who are able to make tough calls; they are the ones who have vision, empathy, adaptability, and the ability to inspire. They are the inclusive leaders who see beyond themselves and their own personal gain. Nearly every time I have observed all of these qualities existing together in a leader, that leader was also a woman. Today I work daily with women business owners who are in the top 2% of women owned businesses in the United States. The advanced level leadership characteristics are no longer rare for me to find among the leaders I know. Women business owners are excelling in these areas, proving time and again that their leadership style not only drives results but also fosters healthier, more innovative workplaces, and more cohesive communities which honor and encourage diversity in all of it’s forms (yes, including men).
The Qualities That Set Women Leaders Apart
- Empathy as a Strength
Women leaders often lead with empathy, creating environments where employees feel heard, valued, and motivated. This emotional intelligence builds trust, reduces turnover, and encourages collaboration — all essential for long-term success. Inside of the circle of leaders that I know, they also do this for each other; it is not reserved for employees inside of their own operations. Exceptional women leaders use their strength of empathy to benefit each other.
- Collaborative Problem-Solving
Rather than making decisions from the top-down, many of the strongest leaders I know embrace inclusive leadership. They seek diverse perspectives; they ask questions and seek different points of view from their teams and their peers of other business owners. They truly listen to understand, consider, and expand their view, which leads to more creative solutions and stronger team buy-in when it is time to change course.
- Resilience and Adaptability
Women business owners frequently navigate unique challenges — from breaking through gender bias to balancing multiple roles. This resilience translates into an ability to pivot quickly, manage crises effectively, and keep teams focused during uncertainty.
Why Supporting Women Business Owners Matters
- Economic Growth: Women-owned businesses contribute billions to the economy and create millions of jobs. Every woman I work with in my mastermind groups has a team of employees that they feel responsible to. Supporting them fuels local and national economic development.
- Diverse Perspectives: More women in leadership means more innovation. Diverse leadership teams outperform less diverse ones in profitability and problem-solving.
- Social Impact: Women entrepreneurs often invest back into their communities, champion social causes, and create opportunities for others; including other women. The good ole’ boys club tends to fill their own pockets and those of their friends only.
How We Can Support Women Leaders
- Buy from Women-Owned Businesses: Every purchase is a vote for the kind of economy we want to see. If you want to see more inclusivity, more economic growth at the community level, then invest your money with women-owned businesses.
- Mentorship & Networking: Share knowledge, connections, and resources to help women entrepreneurs grow. Set aside the patriarchal idea of competition and reach your hand, heart, and knowledge towards another women.
- Advocate for Equal Access: Push for fair funding opportunities, representation in leadership spaces, and policies that support work-life balance. Use your voice and add it to the other voices of women who are standing up in the advocacy arena. Stay informed. Don’t give up.
- Here is my shameless, biased plug: Join NAWBO. The National Association of Women Business Owners. For 50 years they have been advocating for women owned businesses across the country and continue to stand strong today.
Final Thought
Supporting women business owners isn’t about fairness or picking someone based on gender alone. It is about building a stronger, more innovative, and more inclusive future for all. When women lead, businesses thrive, communities flourish, and the ripple effect benefits everyone. Personally, I think the ultra-wealthy white men who are holding the majority of the world’s wealth have much more than what they need already. As they get wealthier, the majority of the rest of society struggles harder. Let’s do better. Women lead for the betterment of all; let’s have more of that. Now.
