Female Leadership Development -Why They Matter

Leadership development programmes represent a significant investment of time and resources for any organisation. Participants dedicate time away from their day-to-day responsibilities to focus on their growth, making it essential that these programmes deliver clear value, both financially and in terms of impact.

The Gender Gap in Leadership

Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles across various sectors. In 2023, women accounted for only 16% of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and 7% of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) in large U.S. and European companies. This disparity highlights the need for targeted initiatives to bridge the gender gap in leadership.

Barriers to Women's Advancement

Several factors contribute to the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions. Research indicates that women are 12% less likely than men to receive leadership skills training and 15% less likely to be assessed to gain insights into their strengths and development gaps as leaders. Additionally, women often face challenges such as marginalisation, micro-aggressions, and the pressure of balancing professional and personal responsibilities, which can hinder their career progression.

The Impact of Female Leadership Programmes

Investing in female leadership programmes can yield significant benefits for both individuals and organisations. These programmes help participants discover their values and strengths, develop their leadership vision, and build confidence to lead effectively. They are particularly valuable for women who may have experienced high pressure in the workplace, and for those returning from career breaks.

For organisations, such programmes can:

• Develop a cohort of promotion ready women leaders

• Build a strong female talent pipeline for senior roles

• Enhance inclusivity and gender equality across teams

• Retain high-potential female leaders and reduce talent loss

• Strengthen the organisation’s reputation as an employer of choice for women

• Enable female leaders to perform at their full potential

For participants, the benefits include:

• Building a personal leadership vision

• Enhancing influence and impact with confidence and presence

• Understanding and leveraging their unique contribution as a values-driven leader

• Fulfilling their potential as next-generation leaders

• Contributing to a more inclusive and positive organisational culture

• Developing resilience to navigate change and challenges

• Creating actionable career roadmaps and growth plans

Schedule a Discovery Call

If your vision is to build inclusive, gender equal senior teams and support your female talent pool, we are happy to discuss how female leadership programmes can benefit your organisation. Schedule a discovery call to explore this further.