by Joe Otley
One of the standout sessions at this year’s #LYIS25 conference was led by Sophie Wang, Vice-Principal and Principal of the Upper School at Foshan EtonHouse International School. Her workshop on “Empowering Women in Leadership” was packed with data and insight and filled with practical strategies and powerful reflections.
From the moment Sophie began, she had the room engaged. She shared statistics that were both eye-opening and thought-provoking
• Women make up 47.7% of the global workforce
• Only 25.1% are in senior management positions globally
• Just 29% hold C-suite roles in the US
• And only 10.4% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women
These figures sparked real conversation. Sophie then pointed us to something often missed:
Companies with more women in leadership outperform their peers by 21% in profitability. Women-led teams experience 30% fewer unnecessary conflicts and are better at retaining top talent.
Breaking Barriers
Sophie walked us through the common cultural and personal challenges women face in leadership:
• Gender stereotypes
• Societal expectations
• Perfectionism
• Fear of failure or rejection
When this was put to the room, a participant in the group next to mine shared interview questions she’d been asked, such as: “How do you intend to handle managing a group of men?” The implication was that the men would be more knowledgeable or experienced. This speaks volumes about how far we still have to go in tackling assumptions, stereotypes, and inequality in some workplaces today.
She then asked:
• What thought used to hold you back?
• What action helped you change that?
• What do you believe now?
This simple exercise sparked deep reflection. I personally shared a belief I once held:“To be a leader, I must know everything.”
Through experience—and workshops like this—I’ve come to understand that leadership is not about having all the answers. It’s about building strong teams, trusting your people, and leveraging their strengths.
Debunking Myths about Women in Leadership
Sophie directly challenged three common assumptions:
• “Women are too emotional to lead”
In fact, emotional intelligence and empathy are critical leadership assets.
• “Women lack assertiveness”
Many women choose to understand first, then act. That’s clarity and balance, not hesitation.
• “Women are better suited for caregiving roles”
Then they are also well-suited for leadership—caregiving develops conflict resolution, decision-making, and multitasking.
Unlocking Leadership Strengths
Sophie asked us to identify our top three leadership traits and share them. She listed the key strengths often found in women leaders:
• Empathy
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Resilience
• Adaptability
• Emotional intelligence
• Inclusivity
These are not soft skills. They’re superpowers.
Building Your Toolkit
Sophie didn’t stop at reflection—she equipped us with actionable steps:
• Show yourself: Ask for what you want—roles, salaries, work-life balance. Don’t wait to be invited.
• Embrace failure: Learn from it. Then move forward.
• Radiate confidence: Use strong language. Say “I know” instead of “I think.”
• Own your wins: Celebrate your achievements. Don’t hide behind “we” all the time.
• Network: Build connections and be a mentor for others.
Taking Action
To close the session, Sophie gave us a simple assignment:
Write down one clear leadership action you will take, and set a deadline.
• “I will book a meeting with my supervisor to discuss my leadership goals by ___.”
• “I will reach out to a mentor by ___.”
• “I will use my leadership strengths in an upcoming project.”
She challenged us to follow through—and send it to her. In doing so, she extended her role as a mentor to everyone present.
This workshop was a highlight of LYIS25. Sophie Wang delivered more than just a talk—she created space for reflection, action, and growth whilst demonstrating and modelling the qualities and powers that women bring to the table, leading by example. As a male leader, it left me with a lot of food for thought and fresh admiration and gratitude for the powerful women in my life, including Ms Wang herself.
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