03.06.2026 Sabrina Ludwig 70

Becoming a female executive—can I do it?

Empathetic, intelligent, and thoughtful—but are these qualities enough to qualify me for a leadership position? Executive coach Nina Lizon knows from experience: women often wait far too long before taking the next step in their careers. This needs to change urgently. Read on to find out what makes for good leadership and how women can prepare themselves for the role of a boss.

Text: Nina Lizon, Coach and Trainer | Edited by: Sabrina Ludwig
 

Three takeaways:

1. Modern leadership rewards empathy, strong communication skills, and self-reflection—skills in which many women excel.

2. Self-doubt is not a disqualifying factor for leadership; it can signal a sense of responsibility and spur personal growth.

3. Visibility, networking, and taking on responsibility proactively are more effective at accelerating your path to leadership roles than simply waiting for the right opportunity

“I don’t know if I’d make a good leader.” I hear this phrase surprisingly often from women who have long since proven themselves professionally in their work. Women who coordinate teams, take on responsibility, resolve conflicts, organize, mediate, make decisions, and yet still think: 

"Maybe I'm not cut out for a leadership role. I'm not assertive enough. Not persuasive enough. Not dominant enough."

Why Women Make Better Bosses

Yet for years, numerous studies have painted a different picture: good leadership today has less to do with loudness, toughness, and dominance than it used to. What is needed are communication skills, emotional intelligence, the ability to see things from different perspectives, self-reflection, and the ability to motivate people and guide them through change. 

Study finding 1: Female managers score particularly high in empathy and employee retention

This is precisely where many women excel. For example, a global study by the consulting firm Korn Ferry Hay Group, which surveyed over 55,000 people from 90 countries, showed that women scored higher on many leadership-related competencies , including emotional intelligence, empathy, coaching skills, and relationship management.

The study examined 12 key emotional and social competencies. In 11 of these 12 areas, women scored significantly higher. One competency in particular stood out among women in Europe: at 74 percent, they demonstrated consistently empathetic behavior significantly more often.

The study also showed that emotional intelligence has a significant impact on how long employees stay with the company. The higher the social and emotional competence of managers, the more likely employees are to be committed and stay with the company.

Study finding 2: Women in leadership improve corporate performance

The 2019 ILO study “Women in Business and Management: The Business Case for Change” confirmed this finding: a higher proportion of women in leadership positions improves business performance and enhances a company’s appeal as an employer. Over 57 percent of the companies surveyed confirmed that gender diversity improves business performance.

Recent research by McKinsey also shows that companies with diverse leadership teams are more likely to be financially successful. According to the study, European companies with greater diversity in leadership positions are over 60 percent more likely to be more profitable than average.

The image of good leadership is changing. And modern leadership is benefiting precisely from the qualities that were long underestimated. 

Why women often underestimate themselves

Nevertheless, many women hesitate to take the next step in their careers and move into leadership roles. It is not uncommon for women to apply for a leadership position only once they meet nearly all the requirements. Men, on the other hand, often do so much earlier.

In my coaching sessions, I notice time and again that this is rarely due to a lack of competence.

Often, it comes down to inner doubts:

Many women have learned to be modest, not to take themselves too seriously, and to maintain harmony.

At the same time, leadership is often associated with traits that traditionally have masculine connotations: dominant, confident, and unshakable.

Confident leadership means being able to deal with doubts

But modern leadership has long since evolved: The best leaders don’t appear strong because they never doubt themselves. Rather, it’s because they take responsibility even when they’re uncertain. They appear confident because they know how to deal with their doubts, and because they grow from them, thereby serving as role models.

Do you want to communicate clearly and effectively at work? Read our article: Pyramidal Communication: Communicating Clearly as a Woman in the Workplace

Impostor Syndrome: What It Means and How It Affects You

Successful women, in particular, know the feeling of not being “good enough,” even though objectively speaking, they have a lot going for them. This phenomenon is often referred to as imposter syndrome: the fear of eventually being “exposed.”

What’s particularly interesting is that self-doubt says little about actual competence. Often , it is thoughtful, responsible, and self-critical women who experience these thoughts most intensely.

An important shift in perspective is therefore this: Self-doubt is not automatically a sign that I am not ready for a leadership role. On the contrary, it is often an indication that someone takes responsibility seriously.
 

Helpful questions to ask yourself on your path to a leadership role

Doubts only become a problem when they lead to consistently missing out on opportunities.

Here are some helpful questions to ask yourself as you work toward a leadership position:

After all, leadership is not a state that one ever fully achieves. Leadership develops through practice, and we grow along with it. 

What makes a good boss?

A good leader provides direction. They communicate clearly. They remain respectful even under pressure. They can make decisions without being infallible. And they create a supportive environment where people can work with motivation.

Some key leadership skills today include, for example:

It’s not about being perfect. And I don’t necessarily have to model myself after others. The most effective leaders usually develop a personal style that suits their personality.

In my coaching sessions, I often encounter a common misconception: that empathy and clarity are mutually exclusive.

But authentic leadership doesn’t mean always being friendly or harmonious. Leadership means communicating clearly while remaining human. And this is precisely the challenge women can specifically prepare for.
 

Here's how to prepare for your leadership role 

1. Increase your visibility

Career paths rarely develop through good performance alone. Visibility also plays a role. Many women spend a long time hoping to be “discovered.” They work diligently behind the scenes, hoping that someone will eventually notice their achievements. Meanwhile, others pass them by. That’s because leadership careers benefit when the path is actively shaped. 

This includes, for example:

2. Reflect on your motivation

Another important step can be to examine your own motivation:

Dos and Don'ts for Future Female Leaders (Quick Guide)

Finally, it’s worth taking a look at typical patterns of thought and behavior. These can either empower women on their path to leadership or make that path more difficult. Often, it’s not a lack of skills that prevents them from taking the next step in their careers, but ratherinternal barriers, outdated beliefs, or ineffective strategies for handling responsibility and visibility.

The following dos and don’ts provide helpful guidance on what future leaders should pay particular attention to:

Tips for future leaders:

Don'ts for Future Leaders:

Why now is exactly the right time

Many women wait a very long time for the moment when they feel completely ready—the moment when everything falls into place and every possibility has been considered. But that moment often never comes, because there’s always something that isn’t quite right.

That is why even more women should decide to take on leadership roles. There is no such thing as complete certainty. The first step toward leadership means learning to deal with uncertainty and allowing yourself to grow into the role step by step.

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ

Am I ready for a leadership role?


Ask yourself three questions: 1) Can you take responsibility and make decisions? 2) Can you motivate people and communicate effectively? 3) Are you willing to learn rather than strive for perfection? If you answer “yes” to at least two of these questions, it’s worth taking a step toward leadership.

How can I overcome imposter syndrome?


Recognize it as a normal feeling, collect concrete evidence of your achievements (feedback, successes), share your doubts with your mentors, and practice accepting praise. Systematically documenting small successes strengthens your self-image.

What are the first steps you can take right away to become a boss?

Make yourself visible: Highlight your achievements, take on responsibilities voluntarily, maintain your professional network, actively seek feedback, and show interest in performance reviews.

What skills are most important for modern leadership?


Clear communication, emotional intelligence, self-reflection, conflict resolution skills, decision-making skills, and the ability to build trust and facilitate change.

How can I develop my leadership skills without holding a formal leadership role?

Take on project leadership roles, mentor junior colleagues, seek out coaching or peer groups, practice giving feedback, and reflect on your decisions in a learning journal.

What if I'm not "typically dominant" — is that still enough?

Yes. Modern leadership doesn't require dominance. Empathy, coaching skills, and clear communication are what make for effective leaders—often precisely the strengths that women bring to the table.