Key Takeaways:
- Women bring unique leadership strengths — like adaptability, resilience and strategic thinking — that drive innovation and business success.
- Research shows companies with diverse leadership perform better, and female-led startups deliver higher returns.
- By developing key leadership traits, advocating for themselves and taking bold action, more women can step into leadership and thrive.
Women have been breaking barriers and leading the way in industries like tech and finance for years. With adaptability, resilience and strategic thinking, women have driven innovation and led countless teams to success.
Research shows that companies with diverse leadership teams perform better, and women-owned companies increase economic growth. A study by McKinsey & Company found that companies with diverse executive teams are 25% more likely to outperform their competitors. Another report from National Women’s Business Council found that women-owned companies contribute $1.8 trillion annually to U.S. gross domestic product.
This data highlights the value women bring to leadership roles — yet they remain underrepresented in many industries. So, how can more women rise into leadership and thrive?
In this article, we’ll break down the qualities that fuel success, share lessons from trailblazing women leaders and give you actionable steps to apply to your own career.
Celebrating Unique Skills and Leadership Styles
In industries like tech and finance, success isn’t just about expertise — it’s about leading with confidence, making smart decisions and building high-performing teams. Women who rise to leadership roles bring unique strengths that set them apart in fast-moving environments.
Effective Communicators and Team Builders
Strong leadership is, first and foremost, about people. Studies from Harvard Business Review show that women excel in relationship-building, collaboration and emotional intelligence. These skills create stronger, more engaged teams and drive greater business results.
Big-Picture Thinkers
Successful leaders think ahead, anticipate challenges and position themselves for long-term success. Women leaders excel at seeing the bigger picture. Whether guiding a company through industry shifts or planning career moves with future growth in mind, this forward-thinking approach helps women stay ahead and drive meaningful change.
Resilient Problem-Solvers
The strongest leaders know how to navigate uncertainty. Women have repeatedly demonstrated resilience in high-pressure situations, from corporate boardrooms to global crises. Female-led governments, for example, were recognized for their highly effective responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Women leaders bring strong communication, strategic thinking and resilience — skills that drive business success.
The Key Traits That Drive Success
What equips women to thrive in leadership? Beyond skills and experience, key qualities help women navigate challenges, lead with confidence and create real impact in their industries.
Passion Fuels Progress
Successful women leaders aren’t just clocking in — they’re deeply invested in their work. Passion fuels innovation, perseverance and the drive to push through obstacles.
Example: Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta, turned her passion for gender equity into Lean In, a global movement helping women advance in leadership.
Adaptability Keeps You Ahead
Industries like tech and finance change fast. The ability to pivot, learn and embrace change is key.
Take Ginni Rometty, former CEO of IBM — she led the company through a massive shift toward AI and cloud computing, keeping the company relevant in a competitive market.
Perseverance Opens Doors
Women leaders often face more hurdles on the path to success. Perseverance keeps them moving forward and unlocks opportunities.
Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble, built a billion-dollar company after leaving a challenging situation at Tinder. She turned setbacks into potential, proving that resilience pays off.
The Power of 1:1 Connection in Leadership
In times of uncertainty, people look for leaders who are approachable and willing to listen. Whether it’s supporting employees, building trust with clients or mentoring future leaders, genuine connection strengthens teams and creates a lasting impact.
Melinda Chausse, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer at Comerica Bank, emphasizes this as a key part of her leadership style:
“When people have commented on my leadership style, I think the thing that really resonates is an ability to connect 1 on 1 with people and make them feel heard. That humility and realness I think resonates with people. Particularly when I think about the last 5 years, it’s been really challenging, and we’ve had one crisis after another… the ability to really connect one-on-one and get deep either with an employee or a client and really make them feel seen and heard is a differentiating factor.”
Passion keeps you motivated, adaptability helps you grow and perseverance turns challenges into stepping stones for success.
Lessons from Trailblazing Women Leaders
Women across industries have shown what’s possible when leadership meets bold vision, resilience and strategic thinking. Their success offers key lessons for today’s aspiring leaders.
Mary Barra (CEO of General Motors): Lead with Vision
As the first female CEO of a major global automaker, Mary Barra took GM into the future by prioritizing electric vehicles. Her leadership helped GM commit to becoming fully electric by 2035, proving that bold vision — paired with strategic execution — can transform an entire industry.
Lesson: A clear vision, backed by decisive action, can drive meaningful change. Stay focused on where you want to take your career or business, and make choices that align with your long-term goals.
Ruth Porat (CFO of Alphabet/Google): Make Data-Driven Decisions
Leading financial strategy at Google, Ruth Porat helped the company grow profitability through smart investments in AI and cloud computing. She’s known for her analytical approach, ensuring that every decision is backed by data and long-term thinking.
Lesson: Data and facts are powerful tools in leadership. Whether negotiating a raise, making a business decision or planning career moves, base your choices on solid information.
Indra Nooyi (Former CEO of PepsiCo): Plan for the Long Game
Under Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo evolved beyond soft drinks, focusing on healthier food and beverage options. She understood shifting consumer trends early and positioned the company for future success.
Lesson: Success isn’t just about today — it’s about where you want to be years from now. Think ahead, invest in your growth and make strategic moves that set you up for long-term success.
Reshma Saujani (Founder of Girls Who Code): Empower Others
Recognizing the gender gap in tech, Reshma Saujani built Girls Who Code, an organization that equips young women with the skills to enter the tech industry. She created opportunities where they didn’t exist before, proving that leadership isn’t just about personal success — it’s about lifting others up.
Lesson: Use your skills and influence to create opportunities for others, whether through mentorship, advocacy or simply sharing knowledge.
Great leaders think ahead, use data to guide decisions and create opportunities for themselves and others.
The Leadership Mindset That Drives Success
Women leaders like Mary Barra, Ruth Porat and Reshma Saujani didn’t just rise to the top because of their skills — they succeeded because of how they make decisions and navigate challenges.
Building on the lessons from these trailblazers, let’s explore the key mindset shifts that can help you lead with confidence.
Think Strategically, Act Boldly
Great leaders don’t wait for permission. They embrace bold ideas, take strategic risks, and push boundaries to create impact. Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, transformed the automaker. By committing GM to an all-electric future, she proved that big visions paired with decisive action can redefine industries.
Mindset shift: Instead of asking, “Is this possible?” ask, “How can I make this happen?”
Learn From Every Challenge
Obstacles are inevitable, but great leaders turn challenges into learning opportunities instead of setbacks. Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble, faced professional roadblocks early in her career. But instead of backing down, she learned from those challenges and built a billion-dollar company that redefined the dating industry.
Mindset shift: Instead of seeing challenges as barriers, view them as stepping stones toward growth.
Lift As You Climb
Inspirational leaders create opportunities for others and reshape the future. Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code, saw the gender gap in tech and took action, launching a movement that has helped thousands of young women build careers in STEM.
Mindset shift: Leadership isn’t just about where you go — it’s about who you bring with you.
What Steps Will You Take to Lead?
Women leaders have proven time and again that they bring innovation, resilience and bold decision-making to the table. The path isn’t always easy, but every step forward — whether it’s developing new skills or advocating for yourself — creates opportunities for future leaders.
Now it’s your turn. Will you push for that promotion? Launch a passion project? Invest in mentorship?
Whatever your next move, take it with confidence.
Your voice, ideas and ambition matter.
Ready to take the next step in your leadership journey? Whether you’re pursuing a passion project or rethinking your financial strategy for long-term success, Comerica can help. Connect with us today to talk through your goals.
