5 NOVEMBER2026W MAN LEADERGLOBAL W MAN LEADERGLOBAL Editor's NoteWhy Women in Leadership Are Good for BusinessAsk most people why companies should have more women in leadership and you'll hear about fairness. That's a fair argument, but the business case is just as strong. When women sit at the decision-making table, companies tend to see problems from more angles, and that usually shows up in the numbers.Consider what the research says. A study by the Peterson Institute for International Economics and EY looked at nearly 22,000 listed companies across 91 countries. It found that having at least 30% women in leadership adds 6% to net profit margin. S&P Global found something similar closer to the top. In the 24 months after taking charge, female CEOs saw a 20% rise in stock price momentum, and female CFOs delivered 6% higher profitability and 8% larger stock returns. McKinsey's research points the same way, with companies in the top quartile for gender diversity being 15 percent more likely to post above-average financial returns. There's a ripple effect too. Firms led by female CEOs have twice as many women on their boards as the market average, so one appointment often opens the door for others. To be fair, these studies show a link, not proof that women leaders cause growth. The Peterson researchers themselves found that female CEOs don't systematically outperform male ones, and the clearest gains came from women across the wider C-suite. The real lesson is to build a deep bench of women in senior roles rather than expect one hire to change everything. Companies that do this are likely to be better placed for long-term growth.The current edition of Global Woman Leader magazine celebrates the success stories of women business leaders from across countries and functions. From finance leaders to legal experts, the current edition features various women leaders and highlights their positive contribution to economic growth in their respective countries.Read on and let us know your thoughts. Rachita SharmaManaging Editor editor@globalwomanleader.com
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