The World Needs More Women Leaders — And It’s Obvious Why

How Empathy, Collaboration, and Humility Can Create a More Peaceful and Balanced Future

As a man, I’ll admit this with all honesty — the world would be a better, more peaceful, and more balanced place if we had more women in positions of leadership. And if you think I’m exaggerating, just look at what happened on February 28, 2025.

The heated exchange between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wasn’t just another political spat — it was a masterclass in ego-driven leadership gone wrong. What was supposed to be a discussion about support for Ukraine turned into a public war of words, with Trump and his VP JD Vance chastising Zelenskyy like they were on some reality TV show. Instead of diplomacy, we got drama. Instead of collaboration, we got conflict.

And that’s exactly my point.

For too long, the world has been dominated by this kind of leadership — chest-thumping, ego-fueled, and obsessed with power plays. But if we want a future defined by progress, peace, and prosperity, we need something different. We need more women in charge.

Here’s why.

Women Lead with Empathy — And Empathy Is Power

One of the most underrated and powerful leadership traits is empathy. Not the “soft” kind of empathy that people mistakenly associate with weakness — I’m talking about the kind of empathy that builds trust, strengthens teams, and drives results.

When women lead, they listen. They understand the importance of putting themselves in others’ shoes before making decisions. And that’s not just a feel-good quality — it’s a strategic advantage.

Take Jacinda Ardern, for example. During her time as New Zealand’s Prime Minister, she handled crisis after crisis — from the Christchurch mosque shootings to the COVID-19 pandemic — with compassion and clarity. She listened to experts, connected with her people, and made decisions rooted in both logic and empathy. And guess what? It worked.

Compare that to the Trump-Zelenskyy fiasco, where personal pride overshadowed global priorities. Imagine how different that conversation would’ve been with a leader focused on understanding instead of dominating.

Collaboration Over Competition

One of the biggest problems with traditional male-dominated leadership is the obsession with competition. It’s always about who’s the toughest, who’s the loudest, who “wins.” But real leadership isn’t about winning — it’s about creating wins for everyone.

Women excel at collaboration. They understand that the best solutions come when diverse voices are heard and collective effort is valued. In business, teams led by women consistently outperform their competitors because they foster environments of respect, innovation, and shared success.

During the COVID-19 crisis, countries led by women — like Finland’s Sanna Marin and Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen — stood out for their effective, coordinated responses. They didn’t waste time on political posturing or ego battles. They focused on solutions, and their people benefited.

Less Ego, More Humility

Let’s call it what it is: fragile male egos have been responsible for some of the world’s biggest disasters. Wars, economic crashes, and diplomatic failures often have one thing in common — leaders who see admitting fault as a weakness and doubling down on bad decisions as strength.

Women leaders bring a different kind of strength — the kind rooted in humility. They’re more willing to admit when they’re wrong, seek advice when they don’t have all the answers, and change course when needed. That’s not weakness — that’s wisdom.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia’s first female president and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, embodied this kind of leadership. She inherited a country devastated by civil war and focused on reconciliation and rebuilding — not by pretending to have all the answers, but by listening, learning, and leading with humility.

Balancing Power and Care

Leadership requires a balance of strength and compassion — and women are masters of that balance. They know when to be tough and when to be kind. They understand that making hard decisions doesn’t mean losing sight of humanity.

This balance is exactly what’s missing from many of today’s global leaders. The Trump-Zelenskyy clash wasn’t just embarrassing — it was a reminder of how much damage unchecked ego and power can do. Imagine if that same conversation had been led with care and collaboration instead of arrogance and aggression.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

If you think this is just my opinion, let’s talk facts:

• Peace and Stability: When women are involved in peace negotiations, agreements are 35% more likely to last at least 15 years.

• Economic Growth: Countries with higher levels of gender equality tend to have stronger, more stable economies.

• Business Performance: Companies with more women in leadership are 21% more likely to outperform their competitors.

The data is clear — when women lead, everyone wins.

This Isn’t About Men vs. Women — It’s About Balance

I’m not saying men shouldn’t lead. I’m saying leadership shouldn’t be a boys’ club. For too long, we’ve been running the world on an imbalance — too much aggression, not enough empathy; too much competition, not enough collaboration.

We don’t need fewer male leaders — we need more diverse ones. We need more women in positions of power, bringing the balance and wisdom that’s been missing for far too long.

So What Can We Do?

If we want to see more women in leadership, we need to take action:

• Support Women in Your Organization: Mentor them, promote them, and give them the opportunities they deserve.

• Challenge Gender Bias: Speak up when you see unfair treatment or stereotypes holding women back.

• Vote for Women: If we want more women in political leadership, we need to support them at the ballot box.

• Teach the Next Generation: Raise your kids to believe leadership isn’t about gender — it’s about character and capability.

The Future Is Balanced

The Trump-Zelenskyy debacle was a wake-up call. It reminded us how far we still have to go — and how desperately we need a different kind of leadership. A leadership that values wisdom over ego, collaboration over conflict, and empathy over aggression.

Women bring those qualities to the table. And if we want a world that’s more peaceful, more prosperous, and more just — it’s time to start giving them more seats at that table