After four years and nearly 300 women developed across Saint-Gobain, one insight stands out:
In times of deep organisational transformation, the leadership qualities most needed are often the ones women have quietly honed, but rarely scaled.
LeadHERship was never meant to be a symbolic women’s programme. It was a response to a business reality: how do we secure leadership readiness, resilience, and performance in a world that is increasingly volatile and uncertain?
What emerged was more than training.
It became a living system of collaborative leadership grounded in presence, courage, connection, and action.
Participants describe the same shift: from observing leadership to taking the wheel of their life and career with confidence.
This is not gender for its own sake. It is about what works in the real world.
A World That Demands Different Leadership
Today’s organisations operate in a world that is unpredictable and overloaded with change.
Old models, built on control, speed, and hierarchy, are reaching their limits.
To lead effectively, professionals now need a strategic leadership toolkit to be able to:
These are not soft aspirations. They are strategic business competencies.
The future of sustainable performance depends on them.
From Polarisation to Collaboration
Progress in diversity and inclusion often stalls when conversations become binary; “us versus them.”
True forward motion doesn’t come from division. It comes from workplace collaboration; from bringing people along, not pushing them aside.
That means:
“In our work with Cargill, we focused explicitly on engaging men in the leadership conversation; raising awareness around self-care, deep listening, empathy, and the courage to be vulnerable. Not as personal “add-ons,” but as leadership capabilities essential for creating healthy, safe work environments and sustainable performance.” – Danielle
The result was not softer leadership, but stronger trust, clearer accountability, and a more sustainable and resilient work–life balance for leaders and teams alike.
This is not about blame. It is about collective leadership in a shared system.
Step In — With Intention
“Time to Rise” is not a slogan. It’s an invitation.
Not to work harder, but to lead differently.
For some, stepping in means slowing down, listening deeply, and reconnecting with purpose.
For others, it means becoming more visible, speaking clearly, and expanding influence.
There is no single path. What matters is alignment; with oneself, with others, and with the context you are leading in.
Presence turns into influence.
Connection becomes performance.
Humanity becomes strategy.
A core insight from LeadHERship is that what was once seen as ‘weakness’ is actually your biggest leadership advantage.
Why This Matters Now
Organisations stuck in survival mode cannot achieve digital or cultural transformation. Fear shrinks capacity. Trust expands it.
Leaders who foster environments of psychological safety unlock:
This is not idealism, it is essential for businesses that must remain adaptive and resilient.
Those who lead from this place will shape the next chapter of their organisations.
An Invitation for 2026
“It was never about advancing /reclaiming gender equality (as if it was something to earn) – it is about remembering what always was and has been. We were never meant to be one more than the other” – Maija .
Moving into 2026 calls for a shift:
From I to WE.
From reaction to intention.
From polarisation to collaboration.
The future of leadership is emerging now.
The question is: are you ready to rise?
Reflect. Reset. Rise.
Reflective exercises are woven into the EmpowHER Leadership Programme, regardless of gender, because true leadership starts from within.
We invite you to take a quiet moment for yourself.
Pause. Breathe. Ground yourself. Write your answers in a journal or capture them in your phone or laptop.
This is your time to step in and Rise in 2026.
Vision & Joy
1) What will bring you joy and fulfilment in 2026. Both personally and professionally?
Allow yourself to dream without limitation. What would feel deeply aligned and meaningful?
Possibilties
2) What key tools, skills, or experiences do you need to make this vision a reality?
Where are you ready to grow? What capabilities will elevate you to your next level?
Courage & Action
3) What is currently holding you back?
And more importantly: What action will you take to move forward?
Growth requires honesty — and commitment.
Support & Collaboration
4) What support do you need?
Who or what do you need to fully step into your next chapter.
Are you ready to rise?
This exercise is based on an Leadership Archetype model – developed by the Ashland Institute – want to know more about how this can work for you and your organisation, reach out.
Written by Maija Van Langendonck and Danielle Doeve, Senior Associates at Pluribus
Want help re-rooting your DEI strategy?
Our Pluribus team helps organisations design inclusive leadership experiences with integrity, insight and impact. Get in touch with us to explore what that could look like in your region.