Understanding Leadership through Gender-Lens: Insights from Global Women Leaders

Celina Shi, Chief Marketing Office, OnePlus Europe

The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Women's Leadership

Women bring a unique blend of emotional intelligence, empathy, and communication skills that are crucial for effective leadership. Emotional intelligence, in particular, plays a crucial role in crisis management and conflict resolution, enabling leaders to better understand their teams &  needs and foster a more collaborative work environment. Empathy fosters strong team relationships, ensuring that employees feel heard and valued, which enhances collaboration and loyalty. Strong communication skills help in articulating vision, resolving conflicts, and inspiring teams.

Building Trust Through Authentic Leadership

Early in my career, I worked in a highly technical environment at Nokia, where I transitioned from the hardware team to the software department. In that team, all the engineers were men, and they had serious doubts about having a female leader—especially one who was not a technical expert in their field. I could sense their scepticism from day one. They expected a leader who could challenge them technically, and since I didn’t fit their traditional expectations, I knew I had to approach leadership differently.

This experience reinforced a critical leadership lesson: Leadership is not about being the smartest person in the room—it’s about bringing out the best in others. By embracing my authentic leadership style, I was able to turn skepticism into trust, and resistance into collaboration, proving that leadership is about influence, not just expertise.

Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, my advice to aspiring women leaders is to lead with confidence, authenticity, and resilience. The path to leadership isn’t always smooth—there will be scepticism, bias, and moments of self-doubt. But don’t let those challenges define you. Instead, use them as fuel to prove that leadership isn’t about gender or fitting into a predefined mold—it’s about vision, adaptability, and bringing out the best in others.  Embrace your strengths and seek out opportunities for growth.