Over the past two decades, the role of women in corporate leadership has undergone significant transformation. In 2004, only eight women held CEO positions at Fortune 500 companies. By 2024, that number has grown to 52—more than double the number of female CEOs just six years ago and a staggering 2,500% increase from 1998, when only two women led Fortune 500 companies. While this progress is notable, it remains tempered by the fact that women still represent just 10.4% of Fortune 500 CEOs. Achieving true gender parity in leadership is an ongoing challenge, one that requires systemic changes in workplace culture, policies, and attitudes.
This increase in female leadership highlights both progress and the persistent challenges in achieving gender equality. It reflects broader societal changes and a growing recognition that diverse leadership teams can enhance business performance. However, the rise of female CEOs also underscores the barriers that still need to be addressed.
In this article, we leverage the insights and experiences of some of America’s top female CEOs and leaders to offer practical guidance for navigating the complexities of leadership. Their lessons in diversity, inclusion, empathy, integrity, and lifting others up provide a framework for current and aspiring leaders alike.
By examining their leadership strategies and personal philosophies, we aim to equip the next generation of leaders with the tools to lead with confidence and purpose.
A Lesson on Diversity and Inclusion
“The most significant barrier to female leadership is the actual lack of females in leadership. The best advice I can give to women is to go out and start something, ideally their own businesses. If you can’t see a path for leadership within your own company, go blaze a trail of your own.”
– Safra Catz, CEO of Oracle
Safra Catz, who has led Oracle Corporation since 2014, underscores the critical issue we’ve already touched on: the persistent underrepresentation of women in leadership. By encouraging women to forge their own paths—whether through entrepreneurship or by creating new opportunities within their organizations—Catz emphasizes the need for proactive strategies to overcome these barriers.
Research consistently supports the idea that diversity and inclusion are not only ethical imperatives but also business necessities. According to McKinsey’s 2020 analysis, companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to achieve above-average profitability. Furthermore, firms with over 30% female executives significantly outperform those with fewer women, resulting in a 48% performance differential between the most and least gender-diverse companies.
When women create and lead their own ventures, or when organizations prioritize the advancement of women, they are not only addressing a gap in leadership but also fostering environments where innovation and collaboration can thrive.
Catz’s call to “blaze a trail” serves as an inspiration. By taking control of their career paths, women can actively break through the barriers limiting their representation in leadership roles, driving change within their industries and contributing to a more equitable and prosperous business landscape.
A Lesson on Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
“If we win the hearts and minds of employees, we’re going to have better business success.”
– Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors
Prominent female CEOs like Mary Barra are increasingly recognizing emotional intelligence and empathy as critical leadership skills. It makes sense: leaders aren’t robots, and neither are the employees they lead. At all levels of an organization, human interactions drive day-to-day operations. To foster a thriving workplace, it’s crucial to acknowledge and value the human element in every exchange.
Why Empathy in the Workplace Matters
Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, has been shown to significantly impact employee engagement and productivity. A study by Catalyst revealed that empathy drives innovation, with 61% of employees reporting they were more innovative under empathetic leadership compared to just 13% under less empathetic leaders. Furthermore, empathetic leaders foster higher engagement—76% of employees felt engaged with empathetic leaders versus only 32% with less empathetic ones.
Why Leaders Need to Be Emotional Intelligent
Emotional intelligence (often notated as EQ for emotional quotient) is broader than empathy. It encompasses self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills—qualities that enable leaders to manage their emotions and those of others effectively.
Leaders with a high EQ contribute significantly to better team performance and a collaborative work environment. This is particularly important in today’s workplace, where diverse teams and remote work are becoming the norm. High EQ leaders are better equipped to navigate the complexities of modern organizational dynamics, ensuring that employees feel valued and understood.
Research from a 2023 hybrid literature review affirms that emotional intelligence is a critical component of successful leadership in diverse and complex organizational settings. When leaders prioritize the emotional and psychological well-being of their employees, it creates a positive feedback loop: engaged and satisfied employees are more likely to go the extra mile, driving the organization’s success.
Barra’s approach of winning “hearts and minds” emphasizes how empathy and emotional intelligence are not just soft skills but strategic advantages that can lead to tangible business results. It’s not just about being kind—it’s about lifting employees and teams to their full potential, driving innovation, and ensuring long-term organizational success.
A Lesson on Integrity
“…Being successful isn’t about being impressive, it’s about being inspired. And that’s what it means to be your true self. It means looking inside yourself and being honest about what you truly enjoy doing… you will never be happy plodding through someone else’s idea of success. Success is only meaningful and enjoyable if it feels like your own.”
– Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States
Having integrity as a leader is not only essential for your personal moral compass—it’s how you maintain trust and credibility, creating a safe environment for your teams and employees. Integrity builds the foundation for a culture of transparency and accountability, where ethical behavior is the norm, not the exception.
Research consistently supports this. A study from Psychology Research and Behavior Management found that leaders who demonstrate high levels of integrity are seen as more trustworthy, which in turn boosts employee engagement and performance. When leaders act with integrity, they set a powerful example, reinforcing a standard of honesty and ethical behavior throughout the organization. This not only strengthens the bond between leaders and their teams but also enhances overall organizational resilience, especially in times of crisis.
Integrity, however, is more than just adhering to ethical guidelines—it’s about authenticity. Michelle Obama’s words emphasize the importance of being true to oneself and one’s values. When leaders align their actions with their core beliefs, they inspire others to do the same, fostering a workplace where success is both meaningful and sustainable.
Practicing integrity means making tough decisions that reflect your values, even when it’s easier to take shortcuts. Leaders who prioritize integrity over short-term gains build lasting trust that can weather any storm. In today’s business environment, integrity is both a moral imperative and a strategic asset that differentiates great leaders from the rest.
A Lesson on Lifting Others Up
“I believe any good leader has a servant’s heart, always putting those around them first in everything they do. For me, serving to create is about investing in people so they can reach their highest potential – whatever that is… Investing in someone’s development to help them reach their highest potential … putting them before yourself … is a joy.”
– Carol B. Tomé, CEO of the United Parcel Service (UPS)
The most important part of leadership is enabling others to succeed. A leader doesn’t work in a solitary box–an organization thrives because of the collective efforts of its people. Effective leaders understand that their role is to empower, support, and grow those around them, recognizing that the success of their teams and employees directly contributes to the success of the entire organization.
This approach aligns with the concept of servant leadership, where leaders prioritize the needs of their team members above their own ambitions. Unlike traditional leadership models that focus on authority and control, servant leadership emphasizes serving others as the primary goal. Leaders who adopt this style foster an environment of trust, collaboration, and personal growth, which research from Frontiers in Psychology found to significantly enhance work engagement, especially when trust in the leader is strong. By embodying servant leadership, leaders create a workplace where employees feel valued and empowered, creating a ripple effect that boosts organizational performance.
The study highlights that trust in leadership moderates the relationship between servant leadership and work engagement, meaning that when employees trust their leaders, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work. This reinforces the idea that leaders who put their teams first not only uplift individuals but also drive the overall success of the organization.
By prioritizing the development of others, leaders create an environment where employees feel valued and motivated. This servant leadership style, as championed by Tomé, is a powerful tool for cultivating long-term organizational success.
Takeaways from America’s Top Female CEOs and Leaders
The insights shared by these top female CEOs and leaders—Safra Catz, Mary Barra, Michelle Obama, and Carol B. Tomé—offer a blueprint for effective leadership in the 21st century. Their emphasis on diversity and inclusion, empathy and emotional intelligence, integrity, and lifting others up highlights the qualities that distinguish exceptional leaders.
As the number of female CEOs continues to rise, their collective wisdom influences aspiring leaders of all genders. By embracing these principles, the next generation of leaders can navigate the complexities of the modern workplace with confidence, purpose, and a commitment to creating a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
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