The research brief, “Gender and leadership: Navigating bias, opportunity and change,” finds that while men and women perceive their current leadership skills equally, a notable gap emerges when it comes to critical skills for the future. These perceptions could influence career advancement, compensation, and organisational decision-making.
Confidence on the Rise
The study shows encouraging trends in women’s leadership confidence: 58% of women now cite self-confidence as a key strength, nearly matching the 59% of men who say the same. More than three-quarters (77%) of leaders, regardless of gender, believe that women are as effective as men in leadership roles. Additionally, 68% of respondents agree that having more women in leadership roles improves business performance.
“This demonstrates that women are increasingly recognised for their leadership capabilities and are asserting confidence in their own skills—a clear departure from historical trends where women often underestimated themselves,” said Sarika Naik, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer at Capgemini and member of the Group Executive Committee.
Methodology: A Global Perspective
The report is based on a global survey of 2,750 senior managers and leaders across 11 countries and 10 sectors, including 1,375 women and 1,372 men. While three non-binary leaders participated, their limited representation meant the quantitative analysis focused on men and women. The survey examined both current leadership perceptions and expectations around future skills, offering insights into gendered biases that could affect career trajectories.
Bias in Future-Oriented Skills
Despite parity in overall leadership confidence, gendered perceptions are evident in skills considered critical for the future:
- Nearly half of male respondents view AI and automation as masculine skills, whereas women largely regard them as gender-neutral.
- Innovation is perceived as “inherently feminine” by 36% of women, contrasting with men who more often view it as masculine.
- Confidence in technical skills is low across genders: only 45% of women and 47% of men consider AI and automation among their key strengths.
Three-quarters of leaders agree that proficiency in AI is essential for advancing into senior leadership roles, suggesting that ongoing bias and low confidence could hinder both men and women from fully capitalising on emerging opportunities.
Career Advancement and Workplace Bias
The report also highlights the persistence of gender-related barriers beyond skill perception:
- 53% of female leaders report experiencing pay bias due to gender, while 40% of men say they benefited from gender-related advantages.
- Only 52% of leaders believe men and women have equal promotion opportunities within their organisations.
- Nearly 39% of respondents agree that qualified women are often overlooked for leadership positions.
Men, too, face barriers—38% cited poor work-life balance as a top obstacle to career growth, highlighting that workplace biases and structural challenges affect both genders differently.
Implications for Business
The Capgemini report underscores that inclusive leadership is not just a diversity goal—it’s a business imperative. Organisations that actively address gendered perceptions and equip leaders with skills in AI, innovation, and data analytics are likely to maintain a competitive edge in a technology-driven business environment.
Naik emphasises, “Gender stereotypes distort perceptions of leadership skills and influence career progression. Organisations must actively disrupt these biases through targeted training and systematic interventions to foster truly inclusive leadership cultures.”
As the workplace evolves, building confidence, eliminating bias, and ensuring equal access to future-ready skills will be crucial for bridging the leadership gap and driving sustainable business performance.
