What Happens When Women Lead: Empathy, Inclusion, and Impact
What happens when women lead? Around the world, we have seen that when women occupy the highest offices, they often exemplify a different kind of leadership, marked by greater empathy, inclusiveness, collaboration, and a focus on human-centered policies. The Council of Women World Leaders’ new “What Happens When Women Lead” series explores how women’s leadership tends to differ from men’s, and why that difference matters now more than ever.
Empathy and compassion
When women lead, empathy often becomes a defining strength. Female leaders tend to prioritize compassion by listening to people’s concerns and responding with humanity. For example, New Zealand’s former Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, famously modeled a kind of “empathetic leadership” on the world stage. In 2019, after the Christchurch mosque massacre, Ardern donned a headscarf and embraced grieving Muslim families, demonstrating genuine care and unity; within days, she reformed New Zealand’s gun laws. Her approach was “straightforward, compassionate, and human”, projecting a vision of leadership centered on kindness and decency. Ardern’s mantra, “be strong, be kind,” resonated globally as she balanced decisive action with warmth.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and Africa’s first elected female head of state, has said that women “absolutely” make great leaders because “they bring a bit of empathy in trying to mediate, rather than starting war”. Sirleaf led Liberia from 2006–2018 through post-civil war recovery and an Ebola outbreak, prioritizing reconciliation and dialogue over conflict. Under her leadership, Liberia navigated challenges through dialogue and peace-building. Sirleaf, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, focused on healing her nation and prioritized human-centered policies, including making primary education free for children.
Research backs up these observations. Analyses of women leaders’ responses to crises note qualities such as compassion, clear communication, and putting people’s lives first as common traits. During the COVID-19 pandemic, countries led by women frequently showed a “people-first” approach by valuing public health and human life in policy decisions.
Inclusive and collaborative governance
Inclusivity is another dimension where women’s leadership shines. Female leaders are more likely to champion diversity and gender equality in governance. In Chile, former President Michelle Bachelet governed with a belief in “inclusive, rights-based leadership.” She appointed Chile’s first gender-balanced cabinet and created a Ministry of Women and Gender Equality. Bachelet’s governance blended pragmatism with compassion, and she expanded access to education, healthcare, and pensions. By elevating women in government and focusing on social inclusion, she ensured that more voices were heard in policymaking. Similarly, in Liberia, President Sirleaf appointed many women to key positions and prioritized women’s empowerment as central to the country’s rebirth. These choices helped open up political space for marginalized groups and made governance more representative of the population.
There is evidence that such inclusive leadership has tangible benefits. Diverse leadership teams are linked to more innovative solutions and equitable policies. Women leaders often excel at building trust across different communities, defusing partisan tensions, and finding common ground. They lead by “pulling others up” rather than commanding from above. As a result, their administrations can become powerful engines for unity and progress, bringing people together behind shared goals.
Different priorities, better outcomes
Women’s leadership doesn’t only change how decisions are made; it often changes what decisions are made. Female heads of state have frequently prioritized policy areas neglected under previous male administrations, especially issues related to social welfare, health, education, and the well-being of future generations.
Consider Corazon Aquino, who became the Philippines’ first woman president in 1986 after the ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Aquino’s male predecessor had ruled with authoritarian might, but she chose a different path, focusing on democracy, human rights, and rebuilding institutions. In her single term, Aquino restored a free press, established an independent judiciary, and shepherded a new constitution that re-established checks and balances.
Modern female leaders likewise tend to emphasize policies of care and sustainability. Jacinda Ardern, for instance, introduced a “well-being budget” in New Zealand that measured success not just in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but in improving citizens’ health, education, and quality of life. She targeted child poverty, mental health services, and climate change with a zeal that previous governments had not. Under Ardern’s leadership, New Zealand committed to becoming carbon-neutral and passed ambitious environmental protections.
Research has noted that women in power are more likely to prioritize sustainability and social issues, creating more balanced societal outcomes. In short, when women lead, we often see a shift toward policies that invest in human capital, protect the marginalized, and plan for future generations. These differences in priorities can translate into better long-term outcomes, from healthier societies to more robust democratic institutions.
Why this conversation matters now
In 2025, the world faces complex challenges that demand inclusive, empathetic, and visionary leadership. Yet women remain severely underrepresented in the highest halls of power. This gap is a lost opportunity, as the evidence shows that empowering women leaders benefits not only women and girls, but societies as a whole. When women lead, everyone stands to gain, as government becomes more responsive to all citizens, policies become more future-oriented, and bridges are built across social divides.
In today’s world, where countries and citizens are grappling with economic uncertainty and societal change, the qualities often brought by women leaders are in dire need: compassion in policymaking, inclusion of diverse voices, cooperation over division, and long-term thinking over short-term gains. As philanthropist Melinda Gates wisely noted, women are not just victims of a broken world; “they can be architects of a better one.” By understanding what happens when women lead, we can appreciate the unique value of women’s contributions at the highest levels and inspire more inclusive leadership for the future.
The“What Happens When Women Lead” blog series aims to highlight the transformative impact of women’s leadership. In the coming posts, we will explore the stories of trailblazing women.
