Across industries, women continue to face structural barriers when progressing into leadership roles. From the gender pay gap to the lack of representation in senior positions, the data shows progress isn’t being made fast enough.  

At Acacium Group, we believe that creating environments where women can thrive in leadership is essential for creating a stronger organisation that can better support the communities we serve. 

International Women’s Day is both a celebration and a reminder of how far we still have to go. Because while progress has been made, many industries are still circling the same issues – a persistent gender pay gap and continued underrepresentation in entry-level manager and C‑suite positions.

The data doesn’t reflect a lack of talent, but systems that weren’t designed with women in mind. And while we absolutely should celebrate the brilliant, visible women who make it to the top, we can’t ignore that they often remain the exception, not yet the norm.

Why this year’s theme, Give to Gain, matters 

When I was asked to write about the role coaching plays in helping women step into leadership, I jumped at the chance, because ‘Give to Gain’ is exactly what coaching is about.  

Coaching is the giving of time, belief and challenge, without judgement, with the intention of helping someone else progress in their career, in whatever way progress looks like for them. And when that happens, we all benefit. Teams become stronger, leaders become braver and more empathetic and organisations deliver better outcomes for everyone.   

Why coaching matters

Coaching offers women something work rarely does. A confidential space to speak honestly about what they want, and to work out what’s getting in the way. To talk honestly about ambition and to admit what’s hard. Coaching is not about “fixing” women, it’s about them equipping themselves with tools to navigate systems that are still catching up. 

Across the women I’ve coached at different stages of their careers, the same themes often emerge and not because they lack capability:

• Feeling like an imposter.
• Being overlooked for opportunities despite strong delivery.
• Downplaying achievements or waiting to be noticed.
• Struggling to articulate their value or to even have that critical conversation.  

Coaching helps turn all this into something actionable.

When women build a clear, evidence-based plan and translate it into concrete decisions like applying for those stretch roles, negotiating for what they know is fair or claiming the visibility they’ve earned, the results are there. Some of the most rewarding moments of my career have been watching women step into roles they once doubted they belonged in.

“Coaching has been a powerful journey of self-discovery for me. It helped me understand my strengths, recognise the traits that shape how I work, and build the confidence to make changes that support my growth and performance. I’ve learned that it’s okay to experience self-doubt or strong emotions –  what matters is understanding them and using that insight to keep progressing.” Coachee at Acacium Group

Women supporting women

Across Acacium Group and beyond, so many women give their time and encouragement to help others, through coaching conversations, mentoring and networks like the IHPN Women Leaders Network. These are the women I admire the most.  

I’m fortunate to work with leaders like Natasha Vouckelatou, Acacium Group’s People & Culture Director, who consistently invests in creating an environment where women can grow, speak openly, and lead with confidence.

It’s also important to remember that we can all make an impact, regardless of gender, role or seniority:

• Sponsor someone: by using our voice, or influence, or network to give someone visibility. For many women, sponsorship can be the difference between being capable and being visible.
• Share expertise: offer to prep someone for an important conversation or share knowledge that helps you be successful.
• Celebrate the women who’ve helped: recognition matters more than we realise. Acknowledging the people who supported us helps build a culture where encouragement and advocacy become the norm.
• Be the representation: as we progress, we have the opportunity to show others what is possible. By using our influence to sponsor others, we become the representation someone else needs to believe in their own potential.