Power, Leadership, and the Missing Half: Why the World Needs More Women at the Top

Today, the vast majority of global leadership, whether in politics, business, or finance, remains dominated by men.

As of 2024, men hold over 85% of Fortune 500 CEO roles and over 90% of head-of-state positions worldwide. The handful of women who do reach these heights are often celebrated for simply being there, regardless of how transformational their leadership is.

Meanwhile, the world faces daunting challenges: persistent wars, rising inequality, polarized societies, environmental crises. It’s fair to ask: would things look different if leadership better reflected the populations it serves?

Let’s look at the facts:

• Countries led by women during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as New Zealand under Jacinda Ardern and Germany under Angela Merkel, outperformed their peers in terms of lower infection rates and faster economic recovery, according to a study published by the Centre for Economic Policy Research.
• A 2021 McKinsey report found that companies with more than 30% women in leadership roles are significantly more likely to outperform companies with fewer women in key decision-making positions.
• Research by the Harvard Business Review shows that women in leadership are often rated higher than men by their peers on competencies like resilience, integrity, empathy, and collaboration - traits arguably critical for leading in today's volatile world.

And yet, leadership remains overwhelmingly male. Figures like Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi, and others are making decisions that affect billions - decisions often framed by models of leadership cantered on dominance, competition, and control.

Importantly, men and women tend to bring different strengths to leadership. Studies suggest that men often focus more on task orientation, rapid decision-making, and risk-taking, while women are more likely to emphasize collaboration, long-term thinking, and inclusive communication. Neither approach is inherently better, but when leadership is dominated by one style alone, important perspectives and opportunities can be missed.

A balanced leadership model, where both styles are valued and integrated, could offer a far more adaptive and resilient way to tackle today’s complex challenges.

To be clear, this is not about criticizing individual leaders simply because they are men. Many male leaders have demonstrated extraordinary vision and empathy. But the system itself, built over centuries by and for men, prioritizes a certain style of leadership that isn't always suited to today's interconnected, complex challenges.

More women in leadership would likely bring:

• Greater emphasis on long-term planning over short-term wins.
• More collaborative, less hierarchical decision-making structures.
• Higher prioritization of social infrastructure like healthcare, education, and childcare.
• A leadership culture that prizes empathy as strength, not weakness.

Imagine if half of the world’s major economies were run by women.

Imagine if peace talks were led equally by those who have lived experiences not just of power, but of powerlessness.

Imagine boardrooms and parliaments where diversity was the default, not the exception.

It’s not just a matter of fairness. It’s a matter of effectiveness, performance, and progress.

The world is overdue for a leadership revolution - one where women are not the exception at the table, but equal partners designing the future.

At Friisberg & Partners International, we help our clients find the very best leaders - regardless of gender - who can drive real, lasting success.

We believe that diverse leadership teams aren’t just good for business, they are essential for building a better future. By focusing on skills, vision, and values, we ensure that organisations are led by those best equipped to meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.