Breaking the Glass Ceiling: The Reality of the Future of Women in Leadership

For decades, women have fought to shatter the barriers that limit their access to leadership positions in various sectors, from business to politics to academia. The term "glass ceiling" was coined in the 1970s to describe the invisible yet powerful obstacles that prevent women from reaching the highest levels of leadership, despite their qualifications and abilities. Although progress has been made, the journey toward equality in leadership roles is ongoing, and the future of women in leadership is poised to be a testament to perseverance, resilience, and the evolving definition of leadership itself.

We’re Making Progress

Women have made significant strides in leadership positions across industries. High-profile figures like Mary Barra (CEO of General Motors), Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission), and Kamala Harris (Vice President of the United States) are examples of women who have reached the pinnacle of their careers. The increasing number of female CEOs and political leaders shows that the glass ceiling, though persistent, is no longer unbreakable.

However, the statistics are still strikingly clear. Women continue to be underrepresented in top leadership roles. According to the World Economic Forum, as of 2021, women held just 29% of senior management roles globally. In the corporate world, women make up only 8% of Fortune 500 CEOs, a number that has remained stubbornly low for years. The reasons for this are multifaceted, including structural inequalities, biases (both conscious and unconscious), and systemic barriers within organizations and societies.

Why the Glass Ceiling Is More Than Just a Metaphor

The glass ceiling is not merely an abstract concept—it's a tangible force that impacts the careers and lives of women daily. The structural inequalities that create these barriers are deeply ingrained in both organizational practices and societal norms. From unequal pay to gender bias in hiring and promotion processes, women often face challenges that their male counterparts don't. This disparity creates a cumulative effect over time, reducing the overall chances of women breaking through to top leadership positions.

Further compounding the issue are the challenges of balancing work and family life. While many men have access to robust support systems at home and in the workplace, women are more likely to shoulder the majority of domestic responsibilities, a situation that affects their career trajectories. The pandemic further highlighted these disparities, as women, particularly those with children, were disproportionately affected by job loss and additional caregiving duties.

The Future of Women in Leadership: A New Era

While the journey has been long, the future of women in leadership looks brighter than ever before and HERverse is here to support that journey for women leaders. There are a few key features that are helping pave the way for a shift and a new era in women in leadership. Let’s look at two of them.

Generational Shifts in Leadership Styles: As Millennials and Gen Z begin to take leadership positions, there's a shift in what leadership looks like. These younger generations value collaboration, empathy, and flexibility over traditional authoritative models. The future of leadership is moving away from the "command-and-control" model, and this is where women, known for their relational leadership styles, are uniquely positioned to thrive. As organizations and institutions embrace more diverse leadership styles, the glass ceiling will become increasingly irrelevant.

Technological Advances: The rise of digital platforms and remote work is another factor that can help women break through the glass ceiling. Remote work, in particular, offers women more flexibility to manage both their professional and personal lives, allowing them to overcome some of the traditional barriers to advancement. As more businesses embrace hybrid and remote work models, the potential for greater diversity in leadership grows. Our HERverse community includes women from all over the country, allowing for unique networking opportunities that wouldn’t be available without technological advances.

While women have been the driving force behind breaking the glass ceiling, men also have an important role to play. Advocacy for gender equality among male leaders—whether as mentors, allies, or advocates—can accelerate the pace of change. Men who champion diversity and inclusion contribute to creating work environments that nurture women’s leadership potential. More importantly, engaging men in the conversation ensures that the burden of change is not placed solely on women’s shoulders.

A Bright Future

The future of women in leadership is full of promise, but it will require sustained effort and commitment. Breaking the glass ceiling is not just about getting more women into top positions; it’s about redefining leadership to be more inclusive, flexible, and empathetic. As we look to the future, there’s hope that one day, gender will no longer be a determining factor in one’s ability to lead.

Until then, the journey continues, and the glass ceiling—once thought to be an immovable barrier—is slowly being transformed into a transparent platform where women can rise, thrive, and lead. With continued progress in policy, culture, and mindset, the future is indeed female.

— Kristie Clayton

HERverse Founder
#HERthoughts