Women Lead Differently (And Better). The Numbers Don’t Lie.
Only 6.6 percent of the world’s largest companies are led by women. On the Fortune Global 500 list, a whopping 33 CEOs are women.
Thirty-three. Out of five hundred.
It’s giving “limited edition collector’s item,” not “equal opportunity.”
But here’s where it gets interesting, and by interesting, I mean infuriating.
S&P Global found that companies led by female CEOs produce stronger long-term stock performance than the market average. Research on women-led Fortune 500 companies found that 87 percent reported higher than average profitability. In comparison, 78 percent of male-led firms achieved the same.
So let me get this straight: Women barely get the job, but when they do, they outperform.
Make it make sense. I’ll wait.
The Mold That Never Fit
I struggled for a long time. I thought the only way to rise was to mold myself into what leadership “looked like.” At the same time, I fought that urge because the mold never felt like mine. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve evolved and will continue to. But “change” and “evolution” are different animals entirely.
I often think differently than the people around me. Even other women. I process information differently. I speak differently. I lead differently. And in the past, I kept asking myself:
“Should I change the way I lead?”
“Should I make myself smaller?”
“Should I soften this part of me?”
“Should I play the game?”
It was a constant push and pull, like leadership was a performance and I didn’t minor in acting, so I was already behind.
But then something shifted. It didn’t happen in a boardroom or during some corporate retreat with trust falls and bad catering. It happened in my 30s – quietly, like a truth that had been waiting its turn.
I stopped forcing myself into a version of leadership that was never meant for me. I stopped bending to fit what the system rewarded. I stopped negotiating with my own personality.
I just decided: I am going to be me. Take it or leave it.
And what shocked me (sort of lol) was this: Being myself worked. It worked better. My work became clearer. My confidence, not the loud kind, but the grounded kind, started growing. And it’s still growing, because confidence isn’t a light switch. It’s a practice.
That choice changed everything.
And now, the stakes feel even higher.
She’s Watching
Part of this shift is realizing I’m not just building a career. I’m raising a daughter who’s watching every step I take.
She watches how I work. How I advocate. How I speak up. How I handle pressure. How I carry myself. How I lead and how I follow. How I make mistakes and how I fix them. How I hold myself accountable while giving myself grace, and how through all those ups and downs, I stay true to myself while giving myself space to evolve.
I want her to grow up believing that her power is not conditional. Not up for debate. Not something she has to dilute or rearrange to make others comfortable. I want her to see a model of leadership that looks like her future, not her past.
So yes, I lead differently. Because the way I show up isn’t just about me. It’s about who she becomes. And who all our daughters get to become.
Women Don’t Struggle with Leadership. They Struggle with Outdated Systems.
When women lead their own way with depth, clarity, structure, humanity, and alignment, the results speak for themselves. Their teams and businesses both tell the story.
Women were never the problem. The system was. And women are re-architecting it, one company at a time, one decision at a time, one act of courage at a time.
Your Business Is Evidence
Your business is not just your business. It’s evidence. It’s representation. It’s a new direction.
Every woman who starts something, grows something, or rebuilds something expands what’s possible for the next woman. When you negotiate that contract, you make it easier for her to ask for more. When you set a boundary, you give her permission to do the same. When you lead authentically and succeed, you prove that there’s more than one way to the top.
Your success isn’t isolated. It’s part of a shift. A correction. A recalibration. A complete rewriting of what leadership looks like.
And the more women step into leadership in any form, the more undeniable the truth becomes:
Women are not the exception. They are the standard.
The Future Isn’t Waiting
The future isn’t waiting for female CEOs. It’s being built by them.
Women are leading with strength and softness. Strategy and intuition. Logic and alignment. And it’s working. Loudly.
This is a new era of leadership: one that looks like us, feels like us, and is sustainable because it’s authentic.
So if you’re building your own path, remember this: You’re not just rising. You’re redefining the standard.
Keep going. Your daughter, someone’s daughter, or a woman watching will follow your lead.
And maybe, just maybe, the next time someone publishes those statistics, they’ll be too embarrassed to hit send.
You already built the dream. Now make it sustainable with Align Method.
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DISCLAIMER: The content shared on Unfiltered Alignment is for educational and informational purposes only. It reflects my experience, my opinions, and my perspective on building aligned, sustainable businesses. It is not legal, tax, financial, or professional advice. Every business has unique needs, and requirements vary by state, city, industry, and individual circumstances. Please consult with a qualified attorney, accountant, or licensed professional before making decisions that affect your business, finances, or compliance. Align Method and Shelley are not responsible for any actions taken based on this content.
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