Leadership: Why Women Make the Best Bosses

Leadership has long been seen through a traditionally masculine lens—assertiveness, decisiveness, and resilience. But as workplaces evolve, so does our understanding of what makes a great leader. Women in leadership are proving that empathy, collaboration, and adaptability are just as powerful, if not more so, than the conventional top-down approach.

As a project manager and the owner of a consulting company in construction, I’ve seen firsthand how the feminine edge in leadership isn’t just a trend—it’s a game-changer.

Women CEOs Leading the Way

Across industries, women are making history as successful CEOs, shattering glass ceilings and redefining leadership. Examples like Mary Barra (CEO of General Motors), Safra Catz (CEO of Oracle), and Emma Walmsley (CEO of GlaxoSmithKline) show that companies flourish under women’s leadership. In the construction industry, we have remarkable leaders such as Kristine Hall (CEO of Power Design), Lorraine Bolsinger (former Vice President at GE Power & Water), and Vicki O’Leary (founder of Be That One Guy initiative in Ironworkers International). These women have led major construction and infrastructure projects, proving that female leadership can drive innovation and operational excellence. Studies consistently highlight that companies with diverse leadership tend to outperform their competitors, with increased innovation, improved financial performance, and stronger workplace culture.

In the construction and consulting industry, women leaders bring a fresh perspective to problem-solving and team management. Take Katerra’s former CEO, Paal Kibsgaard, who championed women in executive roles, or Alison Carnwath, a key player in the finance and construction sectors. These examples show that when women don’t just lead—they transform businesses.

The Pros and Cons of Women in Leadership Positions

Like any leadership style, having women in top roles comes with its advantages and challenges. Here’s a breakdown:

Pros:

Empathy & Emotional Intelligence – Women leaders tend to foster strong relationships with their teams, leading to higher job satisfaction and better retention rates.
Collaboration Over Competition – Many women leaders prioritize teamwork, creating inclusive environments where diverse ideas thrive.
Resilience & Adaptability – Women often face higher scrutiny in leadership, making them exceptionally skilled at navigating challenges and finding creative solutions.
Better Crisis Management – Studies show that women leaders performed exceptionally well during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, making calculated decisions while prioritizing both business and employee well-being.

Cons:

Bias & Stereotypes – Despite progress, women in leadership still face gender bias, with their assertiveness often perceived as aggressiveness.
Work-Life Balance Pressures – Many women in leadership juggle high responsibilities at work and home, which can lead to burnout.
Limited Representation in Male-Dominated Fields – In industries like construction, women leaders are still a minority, making networking and mentorship opportunities harder to come by.

My Experience as a Woman Leader in Construction
”As a project manager and the owner of ROSAIX, a consulting company in construction, I’ve experienced both the rewards and challenges of being a woman in leadership. When I first started, I had to prove myself in a field where men predominantly held leadership positions. I learned to balance assertiveness with approachability, making my leadership style one that fosters respect and collaboration.

One of my biggest wins was leading a high-stakes project where my ability to listen and mediate conflicts between stakeholders ultimately saved the project from delays. While some might see emotional intelligence as a ‘soft skill,’ it was what the team needed to stay on track and maintain morale.

I’ve also seen the flipside—being underestimated, having to negotiate harder to be heard, and facing moments where I had to advocate for my own worth. But these challenges only solidified my belief that women leaders bring something irreplaceable to the table. Our ability to lead with both strength and empathy is a competitive advantage that businesses can’t afford to ignore.”
– Catalina Trandafir, Founder of ROSAIX

Why the Future of Leadership is Female

Achieving gender parity in leadership positions remains a significant challenge, with various reports indicating that it may take several decades to over a century to reach equal representation. The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2022 estimates that, at the current rate of progress, it will take approximately 131 years to close the global gender gap across various sectors.

Specifically focusing on corporate leadership, McKinsey & Company’s “Women in the Workplace 2024” report highlights that women’s representation in senior vice president roles increased from 23% in 2015 to 29% in 2024, and in C-suite roles from 17% to 29% over the same period. Despite these gains, the report suggests that if the current trajectory continues, it will take until 2046—22 years from 2024—for women to achieve parity in senior vice president and C-suite roles.

These projections underscore the persistent challenges in attaining gender equality in leadership positions and highlight the need for continued efforts to accelerate progress.

The feminine edge in leadership isn’t just about gender—it’s about bringing balance to the workplace. The best teams thrive under leaders who combine strategy with emotional intelligence, ambition with inclusivity, and resilience with compassion.

Women are proving every day that they don’t just make great bosses—they make the best ones. And as more women step into leadership roles, industries like construction, technology, and finance will only continue to evolve for the better.

If you’re a woman aspiring to lead, know this: your perspective is needed. Your leadership matters. And the future is yours to build.

Let’s keep this conversation going! Have you worked under a woman leader who inspired you? Are you navigating leadership in a male-dominated industry? Share your thoughts in the comments or join The BuildHer Network to connect with like-minded professionals!

With gratitude & ambition,
CATALINA TRANDAFIR
Founder, The BuildHer Network