What you probably know: Women now hold 23.8% of CEO positions, an increase from the last two years, according to a new Grant Thornton report. KPMG released its “Global Female Leaders Outlook 2026” showing that leadership requires more adaptable skills in today’s evolving environment, such as AI literacy, emotional intelligence, and agility in decision-making under pressure. Though the business landscape is rapidly evolving, the report showed that women leaders are more likely to be cautious when it comes to high-level decisions, considering external perception and risk factors more closely than their male counterparts.
What it means: Studies show organizations with more women in high-level positions show a stronger confidence in the company’s growth than companies with fewer women at high-level positions. Carolyn Bennett-Sullivan is a keynote speaker, transformational catalyst, and change strategist who leverages her corporate sales and small business expertise to help organizations create strategies for navigating business disruptions. Bennett-Sullivan points out that organizations need to reinvent themselves to remain competitive in the market. “Now more than ever qualities of collaboration, conflict management, inclusive decision making, and mentoring are necessary for leaders to guide their teams,” she said. “Women in general possess these qualities over men.” When it comes to sharp analytical skills and decision-making, women leaders rise up to the challenge, bringing their people together. As a result, employee engagement and productivity increases when employees feel valued.
Why it matters: As external pressure increases, great leaders are becoming increasingly important to corporations. Bennett-Sullivan said trustworthiness, clarity, and adaptability are the three top qualities in a great leader. “With clear directives and priorities, team leaders and members know what their goals are and the path to reach them. Everyone’s aligned with a common purpose,” she said. The KPMG report also shows that trust strongly influences a team's attitude. Bennett-Sullivan also shares that women are more likely to experience imposter syndrome, much of which comes from societal training. “When fear comes up, name it,” she said. Once you’ve identified the fear, you can disarm it and move forward.
What happens next: About 69% of women leaders expect company earnings to grow, while 38% expect headcount growth over the next three years. The report predicts if earning growth increases while headcount growth remains relatively lower, then mastering technology will become a key component that will help more women climb the ladder. “In an ever-changing environment, leaders need to be adaptable and to pivot quickly in order to effectively lead their organization through change and disruption,” Bennett-Sullivan said. Though technology is rapidly growing, emotional intelligence and resilience are still needed in the workplace. Leading with love, Bennett-Sullivan said, allows team members to show up authentically. Creating a culture of openness, respect, and collaboration benefits the organization as a whole.
