How the IIMK Women Leadership Programme Empowers Women to Lead
India’s female workforce is growing at a steady rate, with labor force participation jumping from 23.3% in 2017–18 to a promising 41.1% in 2023–24 (1). This encouraging statistic, however, belies a sobering reality: women’s representation in leadership remains stubbornly low. According to LinkedIn’s “Women in Leadership in Corporate India” report, female participation in senior leadership roles has crept up only slightly, from 16.6% in 2016 to 18.3% in 2024 (2). Hence, the question looms large—why, despite more women entering the workforce, do we see so few in leadership positions? What barriers are still holding women back from leading in boardrooms and executive offices? Furthermore, what bold actions can we take to ignite a genuine shift in Indian business leadership and bring this much-needed change to life? For a start, the IIMK Women Leadership Programme may be a positive move but more on that later. First, let’s take a close look at this yawning gap when it comes to women in leadership roles.
The Gender Gap in Business Leadership: A Global and Local Perspective
Globally and locally, women’s representation in leadership remains alarmingly low, with recent statistics painting a vivid picture of the gender disparity. Let’s look at the global picture:
- Globally, women’s hiring into leadership roles dropped from 37.5% to 36.9% in 2023, continuing to slide to 36.4% in early 2024 (3)
- At present, women hold only 25% of C-suite positions (4)
In tandem with the global trend, stats from India present a similar picture:
- As of 2023, women in India represented just 12.7% of those employed in senior and middle management positions (5)
- In India, women occupy 28% of entry-level jobs but this share sharply drops to 15% at the senior leadership level. (6)
Together, these statistics signal a concerning gender gap in leadership, both in the global and the local contexts. Although women’s workforce participation has climbed, their representation in leadership roles lags behind, raising questions about systemic barriers. This gender gap persists due to complex factors, ranging from implicit bias to institutional limitations, and bridging this gap demands more than incremental steps. But before delving into that, it’s imperative that we understand the underlying cause beneath this phenomenon.
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Why are There Fewer Women in Leadership?
In her book titled My Life in Full: Work, Family, and Our Future, Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, shares a striking experience from her journey up the corporate ladder:
When I was rising in PepsiCo, like many female senior executives, I was also the only woman in the room when our management team sat around debating tactics. I was always well prepared and offered good insight, and I know I was respected. But, quite often, when I made suggestions, someone would jump in and say, “Oh no, Indra. That’s too theoretical.” A few minutes later, a man would suggest the exact same thing, using the same words, and be congratulated for his terrific, insightful idea.
This account encapsulates a prevalent issue: gender bias. Despite her expertise, Nooyi’s contributions were dismissed as “theoretical”, only to be lauded when echoed by a male counterpart. Such bias highlights a formidable barrier to women’s advancement in leadership. Furthermore, such gender bias often manifests in different forms, including:
- Stereotyping: Women are often perceived as less assertive or decisive than men, hindering their access to leadership roles
- Performance bias: Women’s accomplishments may be attributed to luck or support rather than skill, affecting their evaluations and promotions
- Role congruity bias: Traditional perceptions about leadership align with male characteristics, making it harder for women to be seen as “natural” leaders
Together, these biases form an invisible yet rigid wall that stifles women’s progress, contributing to the scarcity of female representation in leadership positions.
Why We Need Women in Leadership
Increasing female representation in leadership is essential for both organizational health and societal progress. Here are several reasons why:
- Diverse perspectives: Women bring unique and situated perspectives that enrich decision-making and foster innovation
- Inclusive policies: Female leaders are more likely to advocate for inclusive workplace policies to address the gender gap within the organization
- Reduction of gender bias: Greater female presence in leadership can help dismantle gender biases within organizations
- Increased mentorship opportunities: Women leaders serve as role models, inspiring future generations of women to pursue leadership roles
- Improved organizational culture: Studies show that women in leadership can create more empathetic and collaborative work environments.
To achieve this, aspiring female leaders must have access to a supportive network that helps eliminate biases in company culture, promotes understanding of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), bridges skill gaps, and cultivates essential leadership qualities. Additionally, they need a peer group, their own cohort, that champions their challenges and amplifies their strengths. Addressing these needs effectively requires a gender-focused, industry-aligned leadership programme. The IIMK women leadership programme has been launched with this purpose, creating a level playing field and empowering women to overcome unique leadership challenges and excel in their roles.
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How to Address the Question of Women in Leadership
To meet the unique challenges women face in leadership, the IIMK women leadership programme offers a transformative experience. To elaborate, this programme has been crafted specifically to cultivate skills and strategic insights for women in executive roles. With guidance from top faculty and industry experts, participants will be able to develop the skills needed to dismantle biases, inspire teams, and drive diversity, transforming not only their leadership abilities but also the culture around them.
1. Breaking Barriers and Challenging Biases
The IIMK women leadership programme equips women to overcome leadership barriers, directly addressing the biases that often hinder their advancement. Through interactive sessions and real-world case studies, participants learn to turn challenges into opportunities. Consequently, this approach empowers women to approach decision-making with a fresh perspective.
2. Drive Diversity and Inclusion in Leadership
A core element of the program focuses on building strategies to drive diversity and inclusion. For instance, participants here learn sustainable approaches for creating gender-balanced leadership that promotes a culture of equality. With these skills, they gain the knowledge to foster environments where diverse perspectives are valued, resulting in innovative and inclusive workplaces.
3. Lead High-Performance Teams Effectively
The IIMK women leadership programme teaches women-focused strategies for leading high-performance teams. Here, participants master the art of inspiring, motivating, and managing teams through a collaborative approach that emphasizes empathy and influence. Thus, by learning to foster high-impact team dynamics, they develop their potential to become business leaders who can drive productivity and a positive culture.
4. Navigate Organizational Politics Strategically
Understanding internal dynamics is essential for effective leadership, and the women leadership programme offered by IIMK can be a game-changer in this respect. Through training and guidance, this program equips participants with theoretical and practical knowledge to navigate organizational politics confidently. Consequently, they learn to position themselves strategically, increasing their influence and fostering a strong leadership presence.
5. Building Business Excellence
The IIMK women leadership programme prioritizes building excellence in essential business areas. Participants gain skills to boost operational efficiency, elevate quality standards, and strengthen organizational performance. Through this comprehensive approach, the program equips women leaders to tackle complex business challenges confidently. With a solid foundation in excellence, participants can learn to position themselves to lead with impact and drive meaningful change.
6. Embracing AI and Digital Innovation
As the world becomes increasingly digital and AI continues to expand its hegemony, understanding digital transformation and artificial intelligence technologies is crucial for effective leadership. The IIMK women leadership programme presents a much-required intervention when it comes to addressing these aspects for aspiring women leaders. In essence, it prepares participants to leverage technology and innovation as powerful tools for growth. Thus, by fostering a digital mindset along with a sharp understanding of AI technology, the programme enables women leaders to drive transformation, embrace innovation, and lead organizations in navigating the digital landscape.
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Are You Ready to Shatter the Status Quo?
Having more women in leadership is vital for building inclusive workplaces that drive both innovation and sustainable success. For instance, according to a United Nations policy document, gender parity in leadership could contribute an additional $700 billion to global GDP (8). This remarkable figure underscores the economic and social gains tied to gender equality in leadership.
Recognizing this transformative potential, the IIMK women leadership programme, brought to you by Emeritus, empowers women with the skills and strategies to break barriers, cultivate resilience, and lead with impact. By preparing women to navigate challenges confidently, this program acts as a catalyst for individual growth and a more equitable, prosperous business world.
So, are you ready to redefine leadership, break gender biases in leadership, and become a business leader? Join the IIMK Women Leadership Programme and be part of this transformative journey.
Write to us at content@emeritus.org
Sources:
- PERIODIC LABOUR FORCE SURVEY (PLFS) ANNUAL REPORT [JULY 2023 – JUNE 2024] – National Sample Survey Office: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India
- Women in Leadership in Corporate India: Insights from the LinkedIn Economic Graph – LinkedIn
- Global Gender Gap 2024: Insight Report – World Economic Forum
- Gender Equity in the Workplace – LinkedIn Economic Graph
- Gender Data Portal: India – World Bank
- Gender Equity in the Workplace – LinkedIn Economic Graph
- My Life in Full: Work, Family, and Our Future by Indra Nooyi
- Gender Equality and Youth Development: United Nations-India
