Aisha Ali, Executive Director - Business Transformation & Strategy, Hearts & Science MENA.As with Ramadan, or Earth Hour, we seem to need regular reminders to pause and think about our choices and behaviours, so what better time than early March to consider the place of women in our societies and economies and tackle the industry challenges we face?
While we can rejoice about the attention we’re getting and the progress made so far, it is hard to ignore there is still plenty more to do. This list varies greatly from one country to the next, from one sector to the next but this, in itself, is a sign we can’t drop our guard or lose heart.
When I think about the challenges women face in the industry, my first instinct is to say “nothing new here” because change doesn’t happen overnight, but that thought led me to another realisation. One reason for the slow pace of change is that many of these challenges come from within, and if there is to be further change, it must come from ourselves.
Industry challenges: are we truly this together?
Our ability to do the job or provide effective solutions to our clients’ problems is not in question here. So, if the reason for gender disparity is not rational and external, maybe the solution should come by looking inward. “Are women doing enough to support each other?”, I wondered.
There is much to be said about men’s “boys’ clubs” or “brotherhood,” even team spirit coming from sports or the army. Traditionally confined at home, women may have been more isolated, without “girls’ club” or “sisterhood” to have their back. Though this has not stopped them from achieving many great things, imagine how much further they could have gone if they had worked together, lifting each other up. We all know brilliant women in all walks of life, who inspire us with their talent, presence and confidence. They are the spark that could ignite and unleash the full power of women everywhere.
To get there, we must stop being our own worst enemy and let go of these age-old limiting beliefs that we put in our way. Here are a few:
The myth that women work better with men
Some women feel they work better with male colleagues. This is not an inherent truth of course but a belief that stems from deep-seated insecurities or past experiences. It is damaging because it limits relationship maturity and mutual support among women. When we rally as allies rather than fight as competitors, collaboration multiplies the effort and the outcome is so much greater.
Mentorship is essential, but sponsorship is what truly moves the needle. Men have long mastered the art of advocating for one another in boardrooms and decision-making spaces. Women need to do the same. It’s not just about offering advice; it’s about actively putting another woman’s name forward for leadership roles and high-visibility projects. Sponsorship ensures that more of us rise together.
Softness is not weakness, it’s power
For too long, women have been told to suppress emotions in professional settings, as if empathy, passion, or vulnerability make them less competent. This has led many to overcompensate with aggressive communication styles just to be taken seriously, only to be misunderstood in the process.
The fact is emotional intelligence is a leadership superpower. Research consistently shows that self-awareness, empathy, and strong interpersonal skills drive better leadership outcomes. Women who embrace these qualities foster collaboration, innovation, and resilience. Instead of suppressing our emotions, we must leverage them to lead more effectively.
How many times have you seen a woman’s idea dismissed, only to be validated when repeated by someone else? It’s time we change that narrative. Owning our successes isn’t boasting, it’s setting the record straight. Likewise, celebrating another woman’s achievements doesn’t diminish our own; it strengthens the collective presence of women in leadership.
We need to recognise, amplify, and credit each other’s contributions openly.
Leadership doesn’t come in a one-size-fits-all. Women should feel empowered to lead in ways that reflect their strengths, rather than conforming to traditional, male-centric leadership models. Whether you lead with quiet determination, bold vision, or collaborative energy, what matters is owning your style and encouraging other women to do the same. The diversity in women’s leadership styles is an advantage, not a weakness.
We don’t need to wait for the world to open doors for us. The most powerful thing we can do is uplift one another so that women can find more equity and equality in their own individual and collective spaces.
When women support each other, we create stronger businesses, better workplaces, and a future where leadership is defined by talent, not gender. We can only grow taller when we lift each other up.
By Aisha Ali, Executive Director – Business Transformation & Strategy, Hearts & Science MENA.
