The participation of women in leadership positions in Latin America is still low, though it is increasing, experts warn.

By SOFÍA VALVERDE ZAMORA | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Inclusive leadership, gender biases, and extended maternity and paternity leaves, among other topics, were discussed in the “Inclusion and Leadership” webinar on March 20th, which was part of the EGADE Future Forum series.

The session featured Lourdes Ocampo, academic leader of the executive program Women Leading Organizations at EGADE Business School, and Eduardo Bolio, Senior Partner at the McKinsey Madrid Office.

The expert emphasized the importance of addressing leadership without gender distinction.

He pointed out that "Leadership is the ability of a person to mobilize constructively a team of resources, people, or materials to achieve a very specific goal."

Bolio also broke down the prevailing leadership styles in the business context, noting a tendency among women towards more collaborative and empathetic approaches, in contrast with the more direct and populist tactics observed in men.

For her part, Ocampo highlighted the tangible effects of diversity in executive leadership.

“Organizations' revenue increases when there is a higher percentage of women in these high-level positions,” Ocampo stated.

Despite the tangible improvements that inclusion can bring to company results, Bolio stressed that the participation of women in leadership positions in Latin America is still scarce, though it is on the rise.

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