From the boardrooms to the corridors – women have made significant strides in leadership positions. Globally, women occupy 23% of executive, 29% of senior management, and 37% of manager positions. Despite progress, women still face significant barriers to advancement in the workplace.
Today, we will be talking about some extraordinary women who have shattered glass ceilings and transformed United States businesses. These women have repeatedly proven that true leadership knows no gender boundaries, igniting change and impacting their respective domains.
Let’s dive in and get to know these women shaping our future.
Major Challenges Faced By Women Leaders
Women leaders continue to face unique challenges that can hinder their progress. Let’s explore some of the major hurdles that women leaders may encounter:
- Gender Bias
Workplace biases and stereotypes often require women to prove their competence, leading to skepticism and missed promotion or assignment opportunities.
- Lack of Representation
When few women are at the top, it becomes harder to break the glass ceiling. Limited representation discourages aspiring women leaders and creates a shortage of female mentors who can provide guidance.
- Work-Life Balance
Societal expectations sometimes place a heavier burden on women to juggle family, caregiving, and household responsibilities, making it challenging to dedicate the same amount of time and energy to their careers.
- Limited Networking Opportunities
Traditional male-dominated networks and social events may not provide an inclusive environment for women to connect, collaborate, and build relationships.
- Impostor Syndrome
Some women leaders may battle self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Society’s expectations and ingrained gender stereotypes can undermine their belief in their abilities, leading to self-imposed limitations.
Female Leaders in the U.S. Business World
1. Julie Sweet
Who is she?
Julie Sweet is a prominent business executive and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Accenture, a multinational professional services company. She has become a respected figure in the corporate world with her remarkable leadership abilities and contributions to the industry.
Why is she famous?
Julie Sweet is famous for her exceptional achievements in the business world and her rise as CEO at Accenture, a prestigious global consulting and technology services company. Her ability to drive growth and innovation in a rapidly changing marketplace has earned her recognition and respect from peers, industry leaders, and the broader business community.
Her achievements
- In 2015, Julie Sweet became the CEO of Accenture’s North America business, the company’s largest market.
- In 2019, she was named a top CEO for diversity by the website Comparably.
- The New York Times recognized Sweet as “one of the most powerful women in corporate America” in 2019.
- Since 2016, Julie Sweet has consistently been included in Fortune magazine’s top 10 “Most Powerful Women” list.
- She is one of the 15 female CEOs among all Fortune Global 500 companies.
Her leadership style
- Visionary Thinking: Julie Sweet sets a clear direction for Accenture’s future, navigating dynamic markets and identifying opportunities.
- Empowerment & Collaboration: She fosters a culture of trust and inclusivity, empowering employees to share ideas and collaborate.
- Agility & Adaptability: Embracing change, she encourages flexible problem-solving to stay ahead in the market.
- Client-Centric Focus: Sweet prioritizes understanding client needs, delivering tailored solutions, and building strong relationships.
- Inclusive Leadership: Advocating diversity, she harnesses diverse perspectives for innovation and a compassionate workplace.
- Ethical & Socially Responsible: She emphasizes responsible business practices and initiatives to positively impact society.
2. Mary Barra
Who is she?
Mary Barra is a renowned businesswoman with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Kettering University and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. With over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, she excels in engineering, manufacturing, and product development.
Why is she famous?
Mary Barra is renowned as General Motors’ (GM) CEO, making history as the first woman to lead a major global automaker. She took on this role in 2014 and has driven significant transformations in GM, emphasizing innovation, technology, and sustainability. Barra’s leadership has improved product quality, customer satisfaction, and profitability.
Beyond GM, she actively supports STEM education and women’s empowerment. Barra serves on the board of directors for the Walt Disney Company and is a member of the prestigious Business Roundtable.
Her achievements
- Fortune’s Most Powerful Woman in Business
- Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World
- The World Economic Forum’s Global Leader for Tomorrow
- The Automotive Hall of Fame’s Legend in Leadership Award
- The National Academy of Engineering’s Charles Stark Draper Prize
Her leadership style
- Focus on execution and results: Barra’s leadership is results-oriented, prioritizing clear objectives and their diligent achievement.
- Attention to detail: Barra’s meticulousness helps her identify minor yet crucial details impacting business success, maintaining high standards.
- Ability to build consensus: Barra fosters collaboration and consensus among stakeholders, advocating open communication and inclusivity.
- A clear vision for the future: Barra has a clear, inspirational vision for GM’s future, crucial to anticipating industry trends and directing growth.
- Strong communication skills: Barra effectively communicates complex ideas in a compelling, straightforward manner to unify her team.
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion: Barra values diversity and inclusion, understanding their role in driving innovation and a dynamic workplace.
3. Ursula Burns
Who is she?
Ursula Burns is an accomplished American businesswoman who rose through the ranks to become the CEO of Xerox Corporation, a position she held from 2009 to 2016. Her journey at Xerox began as an intern, and over the decades, her expertise and leadership skills led her to the very top of the corporation.
After her transformative tenure at Xerox, Burns took her leadership prowess to the global stage, becoming the chairwoman of VEON, a multinational telecommunication services company. Apart from her professional roles, Burns has been a vocal advocate against racial discrimination, using her platform to call for increased diversity in corporate America and to challenge systemic racism.
Why is she famous?
Ursula Burns gained fame as the first African-American woman to lead a Fortune 500 company, breaking significant racial and gender barriers in the corporate world.
Her transformative leadership at Xerox Corporation not only revitalized a legacy brand but also redirected its strategic course towards services, highlighting her ability to navigate and adapt to evolving business worlds. Her impact went beyond Xerox, as she became a symbol of perseverance, resilience, and the possibility of achieving greatness regardless of one’s background. In February 2022, Burns was appointed as the Vice Chair of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Advisory Council on Supply Chain Competitiveness.
Her achievements
- In 1980, she began her journey with Xerox as a summer intern.
- In 2009, she was appointed by U.S. President Barack Obama to lead the White House National STEM program.
- In 2016, Burns spearheaded the division of Xerox into two separate entities: Xerox Corporation and Conduent Incorporated.
- In July 2017, she assumed the role of chairman at VEON, ranking as the 11th largest telecom service provider globally.
- Forbes has repeatedly recognized her as one of the 100 most influential women worldwide.
- In 2018, she earned a spot on the list of America’s Top 50 Women In Tech.
Her leadership style
- Championing a Vision: Burns consistently demonstrated her visionary approach during her tenure at Xerox. By doing so, she safeguarded the company’s viability amidst a rapidly evolving business environment.
- Embracing Change: With an adaptive mindset, Burns identified the waning significance of traditional copying and printing. Swiftly, she steered Xerox towards a more service-centric model, responding to industry shifts.
- Promoting Inclusivity: As a pioneering figure, Burns ardently advocated for diversity and inclusion. She consistently underlined its crucial role, ensuring that it remained an integral part of the company’s ethos.
- Fostering Collaboration: Recognizing the value of collective wisdom, Burns invariably championed a collaborative approach. She was known for seeking insights from multiple tiers within Xerox, reinforcing her belief in making decisions grounded in diverse perspectives.
- Exemplifying Resilience: Burns encountered her fair share of adversities, both in her professional capacity and personal life. Yet, her tenacity and grit shone through.
4. Jane Fraser
Who is she?
Jane Fraser is an executive and business leader in the financial industry. Later in life, she became a British-American citizen and completed her education at Girton College, University of Cambridge, where she studied economics.
Why is she famous?
Jane Fraser gained widespread recognition and fame for her significant contributions to the banking sector. She is renowned for being the first female to act as Citigroup’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), one of the world’s largest and most influential financial institutions.
Her achievements
- First female CEO of Citigroup (March 2021).
- Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women in Business” (2015), where she was ranked 41st on the prestigious list.
- Fraser was selected for the inaugural 2021 Forbes 50 Over 50.
Her leadership style
- Strategic Vision: Fraser excels in strategic foresight, envisioning long-term trajectories.
- Adaptability: Fraser’s leadership is marked by adaptability, viewing change as a growth opportunity.
- Diversity and Inclusion Champion: Fraser promotes a culture of inclusion and diversity, empowering employees and fostering innovation.
- Empowerment and Collaboration: Fraser prioritizes a united, empowered team driving excellence through collaboration and respect.
- Customer-Centric Approach: Amid complexities, Fraser maintains a customer-first approach, ensuring Citigroup meets diverse client needs.
5. Karen Lynch
Who is she?
Karen S. Lynch is an American business executive who served as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CVS Health, one of the largest healthcare companies in the United States. She has garnered significant recognition and respect in the corporate world for her remarkable leadership and contributions to the healthcare industry.
Why is she famous?
Karen S. Lynch gained fame for her prominent role in leading CVS Health during a transformative period in the healthcare sector. Under her leadership, the company expanded its reach and influence, making strategic moves that impacted the accessibility and affordability of healthcare services for millions.
Her achievements
- Included in Forbes 50 Over 50 list (2021).
- Received the Committee for Economic Development Distinguished Leadership Award (2021).
- Honorary Doctor of Commercial Science from the University of Hartford (2022).
- Listed on Fortune’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business (2022).
Her leadership style
- Ethical & Socially Responsible: Lynch promotes ethical practices and takes initiatives to address social issues, positively impacting the healthcare industry and society.
- Innovative & Results-Oriented: She embraces innovation, driving the adoption of new technologies to achieve tangible outcomes and meet strategic objectives.
- Transparent & Resilient: Lynch fosters a culture of trust through transparent communication and composure in challenging situations.
- Lead by Example: Setting high standards, Lynch leads by example, inspiring excellence and continuous improvement within the organization.
- Long-Term Perspective: While achieving short-term goals, Lynch focuses on long-term growth and relevance in the healthcare sector.
Make a Difference With the Leadership Coach Group!
These five female business leaders have achieved remarkable success in their domains and have impacted society.
As we reflect on their stories, it becomes clear that their leadership goes far beyond charm or magnetism. It stems from their persistent determination, ability to inspire, and genuine passion for making a difference.
The essence of impactful leadership lies in continual growth, open communication, embracing diversity, adaptability, and a clear, strategic vision. These are the qualities that not only foster success but inspire others and shape the future.
However, the journey to exceptional leadership doesn’t end here. It’s an ongoing, ever-evolving path that calls for continuous learning and development. Whether you’re an emerging leader or an experienced executive looking to refine your skills, the key lies in commitment, learning, and action.
With this in mind, we invite you to turn this commitment into actionable steps. The Leadership Coach Group is committed to fostering your leadership growth. Our bespoke programs, guided by seasoned coaches, unlock your potential and empower you to lead with vision, resilience, and inclusivity.
So, why wait? Embrace the leader within you. Begin your journey with us today. Let’s make a difference together.
Contact us today!
