The Future of Women in Leadership - The Illusion of Progress

The Real Issue Isn’t Women’s Talent—It’s Who Holds the Power

Women don’t lack the skills, the ambition, or the qualifications to lead. The real issue? Who holds the power—and the systemic barriers designed to keep it that way.

This year we don’t need yet another polite conversation about Women in Leadership on International Women’s Day. We need real accountability, real power shifts, and real change. Because right now the powers that be are actively wrestling back any progress made so far.

And despite decades of work, only 29% of executive roles are held right now by women, according to McKinsey’s latest Women in the Workplace report. At this rate, we won’t see gender parity for another 50 years. The question is: Who benefits from keeping things the same or even making it harder for Women to Lead?

What We’re Breaking Down in This Episode:

✅ Why the pay gap is actually a power gap—and how companies continue to get away with underpaying women
✅ How leadership structures were built to exclude women—and why DEI programs are failing
✅ The biggest biases still holding women back (hint: it’s not a “confidence gap”)
✅ Why fixing leadership—not women—is the only way forward

🎧 Listen on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Z8G6Wwb4WsT4quiEtAhEm?si=e2dcc6abaf524146

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-phoenix-leadership-podcast/id1730899556
Our website: https://www.thephoenixcoachingcompany.com/podcast-2

Hear the raw truth and the action we need to take.

What’s Your Take? What’s the biggest barrier to more women in leadership today?

Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s build a system that actually works for women.

📢 Join the HR Festival Europe 2025

Change isn’t just about awareness—it’s about action. If you’re ready to build a leadership pipeline that actually works, let’s take the conversation further:

HR Festival Europe 2025
🎤 Presentation: Future-Ready Leaders: Why External Curiosity and Adaptability Are the Top Predictors of Success
⏰ Date & Time: March 26, 2025 | 12:00 - 12:30 PM
📍 Stage: Recruiting Stage
👥 Speakers: Afsheen Ismail-Wey (CEO, Leadership & HR Advisor, The Phoenix Coaching Co.) & Dr. Beat Habegger (Professor, FHNW)
📌 Booth No: D.01.8

🔗 Secure Your Free Ticket Here using our code (PHO_HRF25_88DS): HR Festival Registration

🔔 Subscribe for more bold leadership conversations.

📩 Work with us: The Phoenix Coaching Company