Deep-rooted biases and outdated stereotypes frequently overshadow women’s capabilities, despite evidence that women leaders enhance company performance and culture

In India, women are frequently overlooked for management and senior leadership roles despite their proven capabilities in both personal and professional settings. It’s a complex issue often attributed to stereotypes, unconscious biases, and a society that still grapples with entrenched gender roles. Yet, if we pause and consider the day-to-day roles women play, particularly in an Indian household, it becomes evident that they possess an array of skills crucial to any organisation’s success.

Imagine a typical day for a woman managing her household. She coordinates with household help, ensures that her family’s needs are met, oversees children’s schedules, and often also supports extended family members. Each of these tasks requires quick thinking, negotiation skills, empathy, and time management. Such daily acts of coordination and problem-solving are, at their core, management skills.

The inquiry at hand is, why do we fail to acknowledge these abilities when they are showcased in a professional setting?

Do these skills lose their validity simply because they originate from home-based experience? Many argue that women’s ability to blend emotional intelligence with logical decision-making makes them especially adept at leadership roles.

Their approach is often holistic—they not only focus on completing tasks but also on nurturing relationships, fostering team morale, and ensuring that the process is as smooth as the outcome. Research indicates that companies with gender-diverse leadership teams tend to achieve better financial performance and foster a more satisfied workforce, contributing to a healthier company culture. Women bring different perspectives and problem-solving approaches, which complement male colleagues’ styles. When women are given a seat at the table, companies gain a more nuanced understanding of their markets and customers.

And yet, despite clear advantages, women remain vastly underrepresented in senior roles. The reasons are rooted in a long history of gender bias. Women are often pigeonholed as too “emotional” or too “soft” for the challenges of executive positions, while men are assumed to be inherently more decisive and resilient. Yet, resilience is something that women exemplify every day—balancing multiple roles in a society that demands more of them both at home and at work.

Change is on the horizon, with many organisations now actively working to bridge the gender gap in leadership. However, it requires a deeper cultural shift to truly unlock the leadership potential of women. Organisations need to embrace mentorship programs, implement unbiased hiring practices, and encourage flexible work policies that allow women to balance personal and professional responsibilities.

Moreover, celebrating women’s leadership styles rather than forcing them to fit into traditionally masculine roles can create more authentic, powerful leaders. The argument is simple: women already demonstrate essential leadership skills every day, whether in boardrooms or in households. It’s time to recognise their contributions and give them the opportunities they deserve.

For any organisation that values growth, empathy, and resilience, overlooking women isn’t just unfair—it’s a missed opportunity. Let’s champion a future where leadership is based on talent and vision, not on outdated biases. Women are ready for the challenge, and it’s time we give them the space to lead.  

(The writer is a motivator and a freelance journalist; views expressed are personal)