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

Sandra De Zoysa, Chief Customer Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC

Empowering Teams Through Empathy & Communication

At its core, leadership is not about authority – it’s about influence, impact, and the ability to create an environment where people can thrive. Qualities like emotional intelligence, empathy, and strong communication skills allow leaders to build trust, inspire teams, and drive meaningful progress. Empathy fosters deeper connections, enabling leaders to understand the challenges and aspirations of those they lead. Emotional intelligence helps in navigating complex situations with composure, ensuring that decisions are made with both logic and humanity. Strong communication bridges gaps, aligns teams, and cultivates a culture of openness and innovation.

Overcoming Bias & Leading with Confidence

In the early years of my career, stepping into boardrooms where I was often the only woman came with its own set of challenges. Gender biases were subtle but present, whether it was being spoken over in meetings or not having my contributions acknowledged, only for the same ideas to be readily accepted when voiced by my male counterparts. I quickly realized that waiting for change wouldn’t help; I had to be the change. I made a conscious effort to be more vocal, to articulate my ideas with confidence, and to claim my space at the table. Over time, my contributions spoke louder than any biases, and I earned the credibility to drive organization-wide transformation.

Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders

Find your voice and let it echo among the people you wish to influence. In order to become successful, one must forge ahead with passion and confidence. Second, build consistency and resilience. Challenges will come, but your ability to rise above them will define your journey. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s not only acknowledge the progress we have made but also commit to driving further change, for ourselves and for the women who will lead after us.