As the UK makes progress in female representation on corporate boards, the conversation is shifting from metrics to the tangible impact of diverse leadership styles.
According to commentary from Zoe Blogg, managing director at GEO agency Reboot Online, leadership traits often associated with women, such as empathy, collaboration, and long-term vision, are becoming increasingly critical for building stronger and more adaptable organisations.
The commentary, timed with International Equal Pay Day on 18 September, comes as UK businesses approach key diversity targets. More than 60 per cent of FTSE350 companies are reportedly close to hitting the 40 per cent target for women on boards, with women now holding over 43 per cent of these positions overall.
A focus on purpose and collaboration
The analysis from Reboot Online argues that women are more likely to adopt a vision-and-values-driven approach to leadership, prioritising long-term outcomes over short-term wins. This is often linked to higher levels of empathy, which can significantly impact employee engagement.
The commentary cites research showing that 76 per cent of employees with highly empathic senior leaders report being more engaged, compared to just 32 per cent under less empathic leadership.
The case of Melanie Perkins, co-founder and chief executive officer of Canva, was highlighted as an example. Perkins’ purpose-led vision helped build a company now valued at $40billion.
Furthermore, the commentary suggests that women tend to excel at building trust and fostering collaboration, which contributes to more cohesive and productive teams. It references data indicating that 33 per cent of employees working under female bosses are engaged, compared to 25 per cent under male bosses.
Long-term impact and financial performance
The analysis also points to a tendency for female leaders to focus on the systemic impact of their decisions, leading to a greater emphasis on long-term sustainability and employee well-being. This perspective is illustrated by Whitney Wolfe Herd, who founded the dating app Bumble with a stated mission to redefine the dynamics of online interactions and empower women.
The commentary links gender-diverse leadership directly to better business results. Citing research from Forbes, it notes that companies with 30 per cent or more women in leadership are 12 times more likely to be among the top 20 per cent for financial performance.
Blogg, managing director at Reboot Online, commented: “Conversations about women in leadership have moved far beyond simply getting more women into the room. The real shift is in how leadership is evolving with businesses starting to value collaboration, empathy and long-term thinking just as much as profit margins. Women are often at the forefront of driving that change.”
Blogg also added: “Creating workplaces where women can thrive isn’t just about levelling the playing field; it’s about building stronger, more adaptable organisations. The women stepping into leadership today are showing that success isn’t just about power or position, it’s about bringing people together, solving problems creatively, and building workplaces where everyone can do their best work.”
